In a message dated 97-02-20 15:36:59 EST, you write:

<< 8) Do we have any idea what sort of LC/counseling this woman has had to
bring
 in her milk supply/nurse at night etc that Many Other Working Moms have had
 todeal with?  I gather from other posts that CHAMPUS/military health doesn't
 cover such services.  If they had them maybe this would have been less of a
 problem--another OPPORTUNITY.

 COmments?  Mailto:[log in to unmask]

Mrs. Cuevas was on the Today show this morning.  From her answers we can
surmise that Yes, she did ask for and has rec'd quite a few concessions, 1/2
time duty at a desk while she is in her current command stationed in Panama.
   This would be what any sailor/soldier would receive as "limited duty" for
any medical condition.  As I suspected, the problem she is faced with is a
change of duty station.
Apparently she cannot receive the same limited duty at her next station.

I, too, wonder why she didn't have more guidance, however, she sounded as
though she had all the info on pumping and storing.  She also indicated that
she had originally asked for a "break in service" and then come back.(which
is unprecidented)

I don't think that the military would or could have a "mommie track" for
their female soldiers/sailors.  There is incredible competition among the
servicemembers for making rank and getting "good" duty stations.   There is
also tremendous competition for slots at the military academies..... That's
why men get so angry when women get the positions and then get out.
   There are Detailers in Washington DC who spend their entire day organizing
who will go where at what exact time to fill x position.  If you are given a
set of orders, that squadron or ship or base is counting on you to come and
do your job. They can't just "ask" for a replacement, the unit just has to do
without (even if yu break a leg).  It is pretty much guaranteed if you
interfere with the functioning of the unit, you are not as likely to  get
advancing ranks or decent duty stations.

It is a real delemma.  In general, the military has become more sensitive and
family friendly: in reality it would be almost impossible to bend to the
needs of all childbearing women simply because it couldn't function
efficiently.  Let's face it, they have to be ready to deploy at a moment's
notice regardless of whether or not they have a family.  This can't even be
compared to a high level corporate position that you can just walk away from.
 Yes the younger troops are counseled about family life and when the Marines
tried to prohibit marriage among service members below a certain rank (as
financially unsound) they were taken to task and the order was recinded.   So
what are they supposed to do???
I'm just happy that the commanding officers are becoming more supportive of
breastfeeding, supportive of taking breaks for pumping, and in general
setting precedents like limited duty under certain circumstances.  I just
hope that folks don't take advantage of the advances made and ruin it for
others to come.