Maj. Christine Orser, a Reserve component career manager with U.S. Army Human Resources Command’s Officer Personnel Management Directorate, enters HRC’s designated Mother’s Wellness Room. As a breast-feeding mother, Orser uses the room daily during duty hours to express milk. The mother’s room in the Lt. Gen. Timothy J. Maude Complex meets the prescribed requirements set forth by the updated Army Breastfeeding and Lactation Support Policy. (Photo by Maj. Michele White, U.S. Army Human Resources Command)
U.S. Army Human Resources Command
Story by Daniela Vestal
FORT KNOX, Ky. – On Nov. 10, the Army updated its Breastfeeding and Lactation Support Policy. Applicable to all active Army, Reserve and National Guard members, the policy stipulates commanders will designate a private space for expressing milk with locking capabilities, an electrical outlet, and access to a safe water source that is not a bathroom stall.
Breast-feeding Soldiers are not precluded from going to field exercises and must provide their own equipment required to pump and store breast milk. Soldiers wishing to continue to breast-feed when returning from maternity leave will notify their command as soon as possible. The policy also notes that commanders and Soldiers must balance lactation support and readiness.
Rep. Niki Tsongas of Massachusetts, an advocate of women’s rights and issues in the military, led the charge for congressional support by authoring an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, requiring the Army to put in place a comprehensive breast-feeding policy.
“As more doors open to servicewomen and a greater talent pool is tapped, the military must find ways to support all those who wear the uniform,” Tsongas said in a July column for the ArmyTimes. “There is much work to do but an Army breast-feeding policy symbolizes a step toward a more equitable military. It would help a dedicated American Soldier to be the best mother and the best Soldier that she can be.”
Commands on Fort Knox, already provide designated rooms to support breastfeeding mothers.
U.S. Army Human Resources Command also has a Mother’s Wellness Room that meets the requirements set forth by the new policy. The designated room provides a safe and comfortable location for lactating mothers assigned to the Maude Complex to express milk.
Maj. Christine Orser is assigned to HRC as a career manager for Reserve component officers. A mother of two who is currently breastfeeding, Orser personally knows the challenge of not having a specific place to pump while at work.
“It was great to find out HRC has a place for mothers here in the complex,” Orser said. “I’m glad to know our command supports the efforts of mothers here in the complex. I’m glad to know our command supports the efforts of mothers that choose to breast-feed.”
Orser served as a congressional fellow and military liaison for Tsongas prior to her assignment at HRC. She was one of the leads on the congresswoman’s staff advocating for the implementation of an Army breast-feeding policy. Orser was also a breast-feeding Soldier during her time as a congressional fellow.
Also on Fort Knox, Ireland Army Community Hospital has a lactation room reserved specifically for mothers wishing to breast-feed or express milk while in the hospital. The room is available for use by military and civilian patients, staff and visitors to the hospital. Additionally, the OB-GYN department assists mothers attending appointments in the clinic who wish to breast-feed or express milk by allowing the use of a vacant exam room if available.
Sarah Pierson, a registered nurse with the OB-GYN department of IACH, is one of several lactation consultants available at medical treatment facilities as noted in the Army’s new breast-feeding policy.
Pierson is available to provide direct support to mothers interested in, or who need assistance with, breast-feeding. She gives one-on-one consultations to mothers by appointment, walk-in, phone and even via email.
In addition to the Army’s new breast-feeding policy, Tricare now covers breastfeeding supplies and pumps. Pierson is enthusiastic about these new support options as they may encourage more female Soldiers to breast-feed.
There are additional resources available for Soldiers interested in breastfeeding.
U.S. Army Public Health Center (Provisional) published Technical Guide 281, A Guide to Female Soldier Readiness June 2010 to address healthcare situations and considerations necessary to maintain the health and viability of its female Soldiers.
The guide’s breast-feeding section provides recommendations and tips to leaders on maximizing resources to support female Soldiers.
The website, www.breastfeedingincombatboots.com is a popular forum and resource for provide information for leaders and members of all services, noted by Tsongas.