YOU are the 1SG. Do you exempt a new mother from duties so she can breast feed?

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 May 2014 00:25:46 -0400

New mother has returned to work after maternity leave. Her profile is now over, and she is now back to work with everyone else. Your unit is going to the field for 21 days. She tells her leadership she cannot go to the field because she is breast feeding. What do you do?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2014 2:05 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 May 2014 02:05:02 -0400

I'm in the Arty world so I do not come across this (at all), but if I was the 1SG I will tell her to invest in a breast pump, stock up and have her spouse or childs father (dont know the situation) feed the baby from the bottle. If no avail shave her head.

Response by SPC Jessica Stewart made May 29 at 2014 2:59 AM

SPC Jessica Stewart — Thu, 29 May 2014 02:59:07 -0400

Absolutely not! She chose to have a child while serving in the military. If it now interferes with her ability to accomplish the mission then she needs to be chaptered out. Learn how to handle dual responsibility. In my opinion there is room to compromise on child rearing that are not dangerous to the child but there isn't room when it comes to serving in the military and accomplishing the mission the way it needs to be done. Mission first, I learned that the hard way the past 10 years!

Response by SSG William Sutter made May 29 at 2014 3:05 AM

SSG William Sutter — Thu, 29 May 2014 03:05:03 -0400

No- She can use a breast pump as I have seen others do in order to provide enough milk for their baby later. BTW- I didn't watch the use of the beast pump, I just know that I had Soldiers do that so they can work. They took it upon themselves to do this which shows character in my book.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made May 29 at 2014 5:20 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Thu, 29 May 2014 05:20:37 -0400

Absolutely NOT. As mentioned in previous posts, she can pump and store her breast milk. Working mothers have been doing this for years (not just in the military). Her profile is over and she is (presumably) back to full duty.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made May 29 at 2014 5:42 AM

SGT Jim Z. — Thu, 29 May 2014 05:42:01 -0400

If you make the exemption for her you must do it for all mothers thus creating a perceived connotation of favoritism and discrimination against mothers and male Soldiers. . There are other methods for the mother to provide for the baby like breast pumps and bottling the breast milk.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2014 6:41 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 May 2014 06:41:00 -0400

I know we are soldiers first, but I was both raised in an Army which has stressed the importance of family care, as well as one that is pushing increasingly towards care and programs to benefit families.
If I were a 1SG and needed to make that decision I think I would allow her to stay back and care for her child.
Bottom Line-
Happy soldiers have happy families, and a happy family is one that is taken care of. Although not a necessity, I've found my soldiers and my peers put forth better work when they are taken care of.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2014 8:34 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 May 2014 08:34:38 -0400

I am super excited to be an infantryman today.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2014 10:26 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 May 2014 10:26:26 -0400

I am just glad that I will never have to deal with this being with the infantry.

Response by SFC Michael Patterson made May 29 at 2014 10:31 AM

SFC Michael Patterson — Thu, 29 May 2014 10:31:17 -0400

Good scenario question. Just like everything else situation dictates your decisions obviously. SSG Sutter hit the nail on the head with this one though. The Soldier should go to the field with her unit in order to be trained to support the mission. However, the issue I see would be the follow up question of, "Does the Soldier just waste the milk while in the field or are arrangements made to get the milk back to the rear for storage until she can get it home?" I know from experience with my kids that breat milk can be frozen for about 6 months and still be good. Not quite sure I know the answer to that one though. Like I said situation will dictate the outcome of how I would handle it.

Response by 1SG Alan Bailey made May 29 at 2014 10:50 AM

1SG Alan Bailey — Thu, 29 May 2014 10:50:48 -0400

Is she married? If not what is her family care plan, which is manditory if single. I would start with having her pump a good supply, I also believe they need to pump regularely. Now I could see bring her back to the unit to pump and store there or have someone meet her there and take home. But at no means do I think this gets her out of the field. Because I she gets away with it, I can assure you that every female Soldier that has a child will breast feed.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2014 11:22 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 May 2014 11:22:57 -0400

Family Care Plan. End of story. How long will that last? Breastfeeding isn't a couple month thing. It's ongoing. and what if ANOTHER baby pops out? Sorry, there's more employment opportunities than Military. If you can't flip burgers, you're not working at burger king. If you can't deploy/train/be seperated from family, the military isn't for you.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2014 11:30 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 May 2014 11:30:12 -0400

This is precisely why single parents are required to have a short and long term family care plan. Although I can sympathize with another parent, mothers are offered voluntary chapter under chapter 8 of AR635-200, it explains that their “she [the pregnant Solider] will be counseled by the unit commander using the pregnancy counseling checklist. The unit commander will explain that the purpose of the counseling is to provide information concerning options, entitlements, and responsibilities and that the Soldier may—

a. Upon request, be separated per this chapter.
b. Remain on active duty.”

That being the case, as long as everything was done in accordance with the regulation, she knew what she was getting into.

Response by CPT Daniel Walk, M.B.A. made May 29 at 2014 2:55 PM

CPT Daniel Walk, M.B.A. — Thu, 29 May 2014 14:55:30 -0400

The Soldier must have a family care plan. Training events must be treated as realistic. What would the Soldier do if deployed or sent TDY to school? If the Soldier cannot or refuses to do her duties, she should be counseled and her choices should have an impact on promotability.

It is good to have empathy and consider that she may have to take breaks during a normal working day. Field problems are integral to training and professional development. If she cannot perform her duties, other actions must be taken.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2014 5:27 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 May 2014 17:27:48 -0400

I had the very same issue last year. The field problem we were conducting was on post in the back 40. We had admin Soldiers making routine runs to the rear so I had the Soldier bring the required supplies and a cooler to the field she would pump the milk and place it in the cooler. The admin Soldiers would bring it to staff duty daily and the Husband/Family care person would pick it up nightly. We are here to care for both the Soldier and the Family so if it is possible to accommodate without compromising the mission then why would you not want to take care of her and her family?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2014 8:03 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 May 2014 20:03:20 -0400

I think a lot of you have strayed away from the issue. It isn't a matter of a FCP, it's the breastfeeding part. She may very well have a FCP and if her command is on point, she already SHOULD have both her short term and long term providers identified. My main question is how long has she been back? Are you aware that soldiers coming off of maternity leave are also on Postpartum Profile for 180 days? Off the top of my head, I'm unsure if there are restrictions other than having to go to PPPT and having more time to pass their PT test. Also, according to DODI 1315.18, for 4 months after the birth of a child, a military mother is deferred from assignment to a dependent-restricted overseas tour TO INCLUDE TDY or a temporary assignment. With that, many post policies have extended that to 6-months or more due to studies proving the many benefits of breastfeeding. Furthermore, depending on the timetable she had, I think it's unreasonable to tell the soldier to stock up enough milk for a newborn for 21 days. You simply cannot pump that much milk in a week, it takes some time to stock up a supply like that. I guess another consideration would be how far away she'll be. She could also pump and send her milk back. There are always different methods!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2014 8:14 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 May 2014 20:14:00 -0400

I've never felt with this on the active duty side. For the USAR side I did have this come up for the 21 day field exercise. The soldier expressed concern about not being able to continue feeding her son in the manner she felt best. I took it to my commander and he agreed to let her stay and be rear d. She worked every single day we were in the field just at home station and honestly she proved to be ever so vital putting out "fires".

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made May 29 at 2014 8:27 PM

SSG V. Michelle Woods — Thu, 29 May 2014 20:27:24 -0400

I'd like to take this opportunity to inquire about Army pregnancy stuff...

1. They get a profile?
2. For how long?
3. How long do women breastfeed?
4. Can they do that in public in uniform?
5. Does it hurt?
6. I'm never having kids.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2014 8:38 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 May 2014 20:38:47 -0400

Let her pump and send the milk back on logistics runs. Have her STFCP receive the milk back at HQ/Rear Det. Every day.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made May 29 at 2014 9:12 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Thu, 29 May 2014 21:12:46 -0400

First I would seek council from JAG and IG for precedence in the situation. Without advice I would be inclined to refuse the request based on equality. If I expect all other soldiers to go I would expect her to go. On the other hand, if the field problem was a small field problem where not all soldiers were required to attend I would make accommodations if it would not hurt the overall quality of training.

Response by Cpl Christopher Allen-Shinn made May 29 at 2014 9:34 PM

Cpl Christopher Allen-Shinn — Thu, 29 May 2014 21:34:30 -0400

I find it very interesting that the more sympathetic comments seem to be coming primarily from male service members, whereas the ladies in uniform are basically saying that their female counterparts need to plan ahead, be equally responsible for both mothering and soldiering, and suck it up. Are the guys out there scared of being seen as discriminatory if they failed to accommodate a female subordinate? Is this the 21st-century military?

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made May 29 at 2014 9:47 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Thu, 29 May 2014 21:47:56 -0400

Why does it always have to be a 1stSgt question? Why can't it be you are the Squad leader, or the Company Gunny or the shift Sgt? Always picking on the 1stSgt!

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made May 29 at 2014 10:05 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Thu, 29 May 2014 22:05:18 -0400

That, is why there is formula. It is a tough choice, but...and I am sure to take a beating here....breast feeding is a choice, not a necessity. If returning post maternity leave and the unit is going to the field, my thoughts would be that the troop figure out a Valid reason for not being able to perform or she performs. Sounds harsh, but if there is no medical waiver, I think she can figure something out.

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made May 29 at 2014 10:20 PM

SSgt Gregory Guina — Thu, 29 May 2014 22:20:11 -0400

I would have to say no if she is back in a full duty status.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2014 11:05 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 May 2014 23:05:13 -0400

Is she just returning from maternity leave, or is she six months postpartum if her profile is over? The medical team will recommend excusing her from the field if she is less then 6 months postpartum. If more then 6 months postpartum then she needs to be afforded the capability to pump, in a sterile environment, because it could cause mastitis or other health issues. This is an issue the army will continue to face until they set forth a breastfeeding policy. All the other branches have one while the army skates around the issue.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2014 11:12 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 May 2014 23:12:32 -0400

Send the Soldier to the field. Hopefully she gets enough notice for the field and not last minute so she has time to prepare for it. She can pump enough milk for the child that will last for 21 days (breast milk can be frozen up to 12 months) and make sure to give her time and opportunity in the field to conduct more pumping (because it's bad if she stops pumping for 21 days). I've been in the same situation before but luckily not 21 days of field but if I had to be away from my newborn for days, I make sure I'm prepared and he's taken care of. It's my responsibility as a mother and a Soldier.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2014 5:41 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 May 2014 05:41:55 -0400

Tricky one. If possible, I'd compromise for telecommute. She got a CAC reader from home, start doing work. Give her daily taskers, report to COC, and if the job is not accomplished, articulate why. Sounds fair to me

Response by SSG Abraham Quintanilla made May 30 at 2014 5:49 AM

SSG Abraham Quintanilla — Fri, 30 May 2014 05:49:55 -0400

I'd say if you could accommodate a mixture of both, have a plan with a pump and possibly send her back once a day, preferably during dinner chow, to ease the burden on her immediate family. That might work, again it depends on how much travel is involved.

Response by LCpl Joe Calvert made May 30 at 2014 8:07 AM

LCpl Joe Calvert — Fri, 30 May 2014 08:07:15 -0400

Mission First. People Always. The service member may be able to follow orders, but natural bodily function does not. We can't expect a woman to magically produce 3 weeks worth of food because of a field op, however, we can follow the 7 Ps. In general, pumping and saving mother's milk should be encouraged from the time of birth in the event that the mother is deployed or sent on a field exercise. This would allow an initial supply. Secondly, provide the mother with resources while in the field to pump, store, and transport the milk back to the child (as explained in another example). The US Military has a responsibility to the families regardless of the mission of the service member. By law in the United States, an employer MUST provide the opportunity. We pride ourselves as being forces in readiness yet in 2014 it is a shock that women have children and may breastfeed? Come on folks, pull your heads out of your sixes and get with it.

Response by MSG Martin C. made May 30 at 2014 11:59 AM

MSG Martin C. — Fri, 30 May 2014 11:59:31 -0400

In this particular scenario is all depending on the leadsrship and the mission. If I was the 1SG I would probably counsel the Soldier in question I would allow time for her to pump her milk and store it on appropriate containers i.e. Cooler etc it's up to her to plan this. I would have no issues with her going once a day to deliver the milk to her family care plan provider as long is during down time and won't interfere with the mission also this is only going to happend once a day that's why there is coolers and frezzers. Many female Soldiers do this all the time they prep ahead specially knowing that you got an FTX coming up. Every situation is workable as long as we are still on garrison both the leadership and the Soldier must have a solid realistic plan.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2014 2:01 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 May 2014 14:01:32 -0400

Taking a break to breast feed a child is no different than the numerous breaks smokers take. In my eye I'd rather a woman take a break for breastfeeding than smokers taking their break to go smoke.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2014 7:08 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 May 2014 19:08:02 -0400

No way, thats what breast pumps are for and even breast/nipple molding can be made. No excuses.

Response by SFC Michael W. made May 30 at 2014 10:19 PM

SFC Michael W. — Fri, 30 May 2014 22:19:25 -0400

Depends on the situation and the mission. If we do not need her in the field during that time then I'd leave her in garrison to take care of her newborn, providing this is her 1st child and she's new at being a mom. If she has had kids already then no, because she should've had a family care plan implemented already.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2014 12:31 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 May 2014 12:31:57 -0400

The 1SG is the senior enlisted advisor. If he/she make a decision to accommodate or not without consulting the commander then the 1SG is over stepping his/her boundries. I am going to assume these cases are not very common. Therefore, the commander will have to base his/her decision on JAG advice if there are no past precedent. It requires a command team effort. As far as some sugge that if the mission permit and you allowed the soldier to stay behind every other female would start breastfeeding has not been the case in my experience. It had never made sense to why many assume that if u accommodate one Soldier, that everyone will jump on the same bandwagon.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2014 9:19 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 09:19:59 -0400

Even while units are in the field, they typically still have a few Soldiers in the rear to perform admin tasks and support the Commander from the rear. I remember specifically at one point having a field exercise where the 1SG had these admin folks sleep in the company admin offices while the unit was in the field... is this not an acceptable course of action. I do not support making special arrangements just to make them, but couldn't this Soldier be given this type of duty? Mission first, Soldier always, or am I forgetting something.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2014 8:07 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 20:07:11 -0400

it is a federal law that employees provide the time and facility (private room) for those breastfeeding to pump.

I'm not sure of the timeline, on average, mother's breastfeed for 6 months, but it's not too uncommon for this to occur for a year (it is cheaper than formula).

I would have to research that federal law, however, these things should be covered with squad leader/platoon sergeant level in counseling upon returning from work from maternity leave (42 days).

most profiles are for 180 days from the delivery, unless the Soldier feels they are ready to resume duties fully and pass APFT/HT WT from PPPT program. (the AR states 180 days, so don't try to flag a Soldier prior to that).

Once a Soldier is back to full duties they are expected to perform the same.

I would advise the Soldier in advance of upcoming training events. All field exercises are not just work, they are opportunities for Soldiers and NCOs to gain that operational experience that will make them better leaders.

A missed FTX is missed competency, training, and leadership.

The NCO will not have the same opportunities for quantative bullets for the NCOER. The Soldier will not have the opportunity to demonstrate leadership potential.

The FTX should be posted on the unit's calendar, and can help that Soldier and the leaders involved in a combined approach to problem solving.

Fact Sheet #73: Break Time for Nursing Mothers under the FLSA
This fact sheet provides general information on the break time requirement for nursing mothers in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”), which took effect when the PPACA was signed into law on March 23, 2010 (P.L. 111-148). This law amended Section 7 of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
General Requirements
Employers are required to provide “reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for 1 year after the child’s birth each time such employee has need to express the milk.” Employers are also required to provide “a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public, which may be used by an employee to express breast milk.”

Also, federal law states that we must not retaliate against those who breastfeed (as in stating that the Soldier is trying to avoid work, and giving a negative counseling).

I learned this while my wife was pregnant, and her employer (civilian) didn't have a good place for her to do so, and she had to do this in the minivan.

I also had an officer in my battalion that stated she had to do the same thing. It's quite hot in Fort Polk in the summer time.

Don't be that leader that just shrugs this one off.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Aug 11 at 2015 2:34 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 14:34:46 -0400

WO1 Michael Stewart, let me correct your question you have a lactating soldier that states that she will have issues during the 21 days on the field, which means that milk will continue to be produced and the milk will flow no matter what. So what do you do?

Response by SGT Christopher Churilla made Aug 11 at 2015 2:54 PM

SGT Christopher Churilla — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 14:54:20 -0400

Her profile is over, she goes. End of story.

Response by SFC Nikhil Kumra made Aug 14 at 2015 7:05 AM

SFC Nikhil Kumra — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 07:05:18 -0400

This is the sort of thing I've never understood how it is even debatable.

1) she is pregnant and completely combat ineffective in the field. Pregnancy already puts a strain on a persons body, why take any chance at causing issues with someone's pregnancy? That, first and foremost, sounds borderline evil to place a training exercise before that.

2) she's useless. She is completely, 100% useless to you as a pregnant lady. How is she not on rear d?? She wouldn't deploy with you, why should she go to the field?

3) she is much more useful taking on major projects that need to be done in the rear, with accessibility to whatever care she needs. Work the shit out of her with administrative details. All of your units paperwork should be 100% squared away when you get back. She could sit and do LOTS of paperwork.

But this whole thing... To even send her to the field... Just sounds awful.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 14 at 2015 5:33 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 17:33:43 -0400

She needs to take leave then.

Response by SFC Michael W. made May 19 at 2016 4:25 PM

SFC Michael W. — Thu, 19 May 2016 16:25:28 -0400

No she should not be exempt for she knows what her duties are...period.