This is definitely a loaded issue. The sad but true fact is breastfeeding would not make this soldier non-deployable. If there are current serious illneses in a child, then compassionate deferrments have been made,but wouldn't apply here. Once a military member becomes pregnant, they receive extensive counseling by their commander re: what their responsibilities are to the Army...including the possibility of having to leave children, even newborns, behind with a designated guardian, should they be mobilized. They have the option at that time to separate from service (get out)with an honorable discharge, if they are unwilling to accept the possibility that they may be deployed away from their children, or be assigned somewhere for a year (like Korea) where they can't bring family. That said, things are slowly looking better for breastfeeding moms in Federal Service. I am currently setting up a lactation room at a Dept of Defense installation in response to a new policy that all facilities (in this branch) offer this to employees. I have also been able to work with some Commanders to make allowances for military mom's to have private space to pump at work. There is no global policy though, as units are unique. Wish I could do more... LTC Trish Malley RN, MPH, IBCLC,...mother to Ryan -6 *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html