I have been working with the Air Force Pump Program at Maxwell and Gunter Air
Force Bases in Montgomery, Alabama for the past 2 years.  There is obviously a
lot of confusion concerning this program.  Air Force Aid does not fund the
program, although they do take care of the money--which comes from a Grant.
If the Government were paying for it, they could not discriminate.  I have met
Navy, Army and Marine families living on base who delivered on base but could
not get a pump.  That is because the grant stipulates that the money is to be
used for Active Duty Air Force personnel and spouses only.  These people are
supposed to be enrolled in the New Parents Support Program (basically that
means they will attend at least 1 class in their choice of many available).
There are no other qualifications.  Women do not have to be employed, and
income is not a factor.  I have taken pumps to Air Force physicians and
attorneys.  At the end of the six months, the Air Force Aid Society may fund
additional months.  At that point, it is based on financial need.  The
breastfeeding rate among the Air Force families in this city far exceeds the
city's rate itself, and many of these women have told me how helpful the pump
was in allowing them to breastfeed longer than they had imagined they would.
Cher Sealy, RN, BSN, IBCLC, LLLL
Montgomery, Alabama, deep South, USA