Military Moms Breastfeeding in Uniform Stir Controversy - UPDATE, post #28

[Fisher]

Fair use
http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/mil...214500503.html

Military Moms Breastfeeding in Uniform Stir Controversy
By Lylah M. Alphonse, Senior Editor, Yahoo! Shine | Parenting – 12 hours ago

At a time when breastfeeding in public is already controversial, pictures of two military moms doing so while wearing their uniforms is sparking outrage.

The photo is part of a local breastfeeding awareness campaign by Mom2Mom of Fairchild Air Force Base, a support group launched in January by Crystal Scott, a military spouse and mother of three. Among the intimate close-ups of smiling young mothers cuddling their adorable babies, the images of the two airmen stand out.

"People are comparing breastfeeding in uniform to urinating and defecating in uniform. They're comparing it to the woman who posed in "Playboy" in uniform [in 2007]" Scott told Yahoo! Shine in an interview. "We never expected it to be like this."

"I'm an X-ray tech and I breastfeed in my uniform all the time," Scott says. "Granted they're scrubs. But people do it all the time in their uniforms. If you have a hungry baby, why would you take the time to change completely?"

Terran Echegoyen-McCabe, a member of the Air National Guard who was photographed in uniform nursing her 10-month-old twin daughters, says that she's surprised by the reaction to the photos.

"I have breastfed in our lobby, in my car, in the park ... and I pump, usually in the locker room," she told the "Today" show, adding that she usually nurses her babies while on her lunch break during drill weekends. "I'm proud to be wearing a uniform while breast-feeding. I'm proud of the photo and I hope it encourages other women to know they can breastfeed whether they're active duty, guard or civilian."

Excerpt - Article continues here: (with photo)
http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/mil...214500503.html

[Moon]

the only controversy i can see is the fact that breast feeding a child whilst at work (in uniform) should indeed cause a controversy!!!!!!!

Good parenting and good for them!!!!

[Satanta]

Might have stronger kids and less health issues in our society if women still breast fed.

If it offends you then you need a hobby. Go play with yourself or eat some rat poison or something and stay iut of everyone else' business.

And here's the image-if it offends you something is wrong inside of your head-go see a doctor.

Lithium might help,

or Thorazine.

[Dobbin]

I see the irony of a baby in one arm breastfeeding AND a weapon in the other.

I expect the only way to look at this is the enemy would have both Mom and Baby undone were he/she given the chance.

It certainly would be better if humanity could get along with each other. That choice thing, again.

Some choices seem SO simple at first examination.

Dobbin

[FREEBIRD]

"People are comparing breastfeeding in uniform to urinating and defecating in uniform. They're comparing it to the woman who posed in "Playboy" in uniform [in 2007]"

This is because those people are ignorant. The majority of people in this culture have little or no clue about breastfeeding, having not been around it, and having been enculturated to think that breasts and babies have nothing to do with each other, and aren't supposed to.

"...she usually nurses her babies while on her lunch break during drill weekends."

Oh, the horror! Court-martial, at minimum.

"If you have a hungry baby, why would you take the time to change completely?"

Why, indeed.

Now, having said that, a larger question is why nursing moms, and women in general, are in this situation in the first place. IMO, that's where the debate should focus. But the idea that a nursing mother is somehow disgracing the uniform is ridiculous.

[ainitfunny]

What really outrages people is NOT the breastfeeding in public question, although most don't even know why they are so outraged at this.

IT IS BECAUSE THIS PICTURE POINTEDLY AND OBVIOUSLY DENIES THE FALSE PREMISE BEING USED TO RECRUIT AND AND EMPLOY WOMEN AS ESSENTIALLY EQUIVALENT TO MEN IN MILITARY, EVEN COMBAT ROLES.

The liberals REALLY object because The photo triumphantly displays the essence of womanhood, the life GIVING, NURTURING ROLE that society now wishes to deny and submerge beneath the actually LESSER, superimposed "WARRIOR" role, which they can, albeit less competently than their male counterparts, function as well as any human, requiring only the ability to walk, talk and chew gum to be the raw material to be physically trained to kill and be killed, rather than fulfill the traditional warrior SUPPORT role which they have traditionally and outstandingly served for thousands of years.

[Red Baron]

IT IS BECAUSE THIS PICTURE POINTEDLY AND OBVIOUSLY DENIES THE FALSE PREMISE BEING USED TO RECRUIT AND AND EMPLOY WOMEN AS ESSENTIALLY EQUIVALENT TO MEN IN MILITARY, EVEN COMBAT ROLES.

Ayup.

[juco]

Well said, Ain't. I fully agree.

[Mongo]

I have NO PROBLEM with women breast feeding - anywhere.
It is why they have breasts, afterall.

What I have a problem with is women in the military - and I served for over 20 years.
yeah, I'm a dinosaur in age and in outlook...

What kind of society does not protect its women and children - regardless of whether they want that protection or not?

...and let me add: I KNOW women are capable of violence
I KNOW some women are MORE capable warriors than some men

If the enemy is literally at the door and we are in danger of being overrun - fine, let them fight.
My wife and girls know how and are capable - but they will not join the military.

[Dennis Olson]

Women with infant children have no place in the active duty military, in ANY role. Sorry, but that's me firm personal belief.

[byronandkathy2003]

their kids their breast's their lives!. it is not for me or any one else to decide what is right for them..

[TerryK]

IT IS BECAUSE THIS PICTURE POINTEDLY AND OBVIOUSLY DENIES THE FALSE PREMISE BEING USED TO RECRUIT AND AND EMPLOY WOMEN AS ESSENTIALLY EQUIVALENT TO MEN IN MILITARY, EVEN COMBAT ROLES.

.

Very good observation Aint.
The article also mentions women breastfeeding while at work.
When you are in uniform on base you are in a working status. What are women doing taking their kids with them on their reserve drill weekends.
This is just stupid. Women and men aren't the same.
I am a little more tolerant than Dennis. I believe there are a lot of jobs women can do in the military, but no one in the military should be going to work with their kids just so they can feed them.

When I was training Navy recruits in Orlando, The Defense Department Advisory Committee on Women in the Services was desperately trying to disprove the fact that male recruits had a huge advantage over women in upper body strength and the weight they could carry or lift and hence what jobs they could do. They instituted a weight lifting regimen for female recruits instead of the regular morning PT 2 times a week. The women increased their upper body strenght by a fairly large percentage and they were all excited by the results until they looked at the male group of recruits who were much stronger going in and achieved much higher (almost double) percentage of strength increase during the same time. The study was quietly dropped and the results just disappeared. Instead of learning from the experiment and instituting weight training twice a week in the military instead of primarily cardio every day they could have improved the entire military.
There is an liberal agenda that is desperately trying to mold the military into an organization that reflects their ideals and philosophy. Whether it is the integration of females into close support for combat or throwing the doors open for the openly gay, they are jeopardizing the future and the safety of this country.

I have no problems with women in certain job functions in the military. If they are going to be pilots, on ships or involved with units that are combat ready they have no business getting pregnant, breast feeding on duty etc. They need to be fully ready to do their job 24/7 in the same way that men are.
I have seen surface ships with females onboard suddenly lose 30% of those females due to pregnancy when the ship was scheduled for an overseas deployment. The Navy would then yank a male out of coveted shore based support duty and put him on the ship and move the female into his empty position. These type of shore based support positions are coveted by people coming off years of sea duty. Now the man has to tear his family apart and deploy again so the female can remain stateside. It's wrong.
The other thing that happens, is that male supervisors and officers are deathly afraid of being accused of sexual harassment. So much so that they frequently allow their women subordinates to get away with much more than the males. Even the unconfirmed or unproven sexual harassment charge is the kiss of death to a military career. I imagine it will be the same for gays now that openly gay are allowed.

[topcat46]

When I was training Navy recruits in Orlando, The Defense Department Advisory Committee on Women in the Services was desperately trying to disprove the fact that male recruits had a huge advantage over women in upper body strength and the weight they could carry or lift and hence what jobs they could do. They instituted a weight lifting regimen for female recruits instead of the regular morning PT 2 times a week. The women increased their upper body strenght by a fairly large percentage and they were all excited by the results until they looked at the male group of recruits who were much stronger going in and achieved much higher (almost double) percentage of strength increase during the same time. The study was quietly dropped and the results just disappeared. Instead of learning from the experiment and instituting weight training twice a week in the military instead of primarily cardio every day they could have improved the entire military.

More proof that liberalism is a form of insanity that denies reality.

[topcat46]

I wonder who wins?

Us:


Them:

[Lone Wolf]

Women should breastfeed when health allowes it.

Just like apple pie and ice cream. A normal prooceedure for mamillian species.

Women and gays in the military? No way except in staff support positions for women.

PC, crap will fill the military with unthinking fools and get people killed just as soon as another big war arrives here on the scean.

This would serve for me NOT to get into the service.

lw

[NC Susan]

i dont have a problem with moms or nursing babies. I do have a problem with misplaced priorities and doing so as a political exhibition in a Military Uniform. The uniform itself is to be respected hence the appropriate dress codes required to wear the uniform. This uniform is to be used for a combat effective FIGHTING force........ Volunteering and wearing that uniform is a 24 hour per day commitment that takes priority over family and friends and children. IF they dont like that, they need to ETS......exit the service......

[Ravekid]

Might have stronger kids and less health issues in our society if women still breast fed.

If it offends you then you need a hobby. Go play with yourself or eat some rat poison or something and stay iut of everyone else' business.

And here's the image-if it offends you something is wrong inside of your head-go see a doctor.

Lithium might help,

or Thorazine.

If public playing with yourself offends anyone, do they also need to go see a doctor, or take Lithium, or maybe Thorazine? Haha. Breast feeding is as natural as masturbation or taking a leak for some. Yet plenty of young men, usually after drinking lots of alcohol, get locked up for taking a leak on a tree. At least with masturbation in public, one can argue that is purely sexual, and therefore should be regulated. However, taking a leak on a tree or back alley, clearly trying to "hide" the penis, isn't sexual at all, so why shouldn't public urination be any different than public breast feeding?

[Fisher]

I wonder who wins?

Us:


Them:

topcat46,

You nailed it.

My thoughts exactly.

Fisher

[LightEcho]

In fighting forces the rule was always: if you don't have enough to share, you don't make it public.

The military is NOT to raise a new crop of government-owned soldiers. It is not a place for mothers. I don't even see it as a place for daughters. We want to make up our own rules? Fine- then die by your rules too.

[Truly_Bug]

Women with infant children have no place in the active duty military, in ANY role. Sorry, but that's me firm personal belief.

I feel the same way Dennis!

[Belties]

Never fails to amaze me how much interest a thread about breastfeeding brings to this forum.

I've breastfed six babies, each up until they were weaned at 12 months old, they are all very healthy, pretty much allergy-free kids today. When my next baby, due in several weeks, is born, I'll breastfeed it as well, and not give much thought other than that's what the Good Lord created my body to do. If I'm in public, and the baby gets hungry, I'll breastfeed it discreetly as possible, and I don't nessessarily intend to hide in a restroom to do so.

I don't intend to ever be photographed nursing my baby with my breasts exposed so that it can be publically placed on exhibition, but that's just me. I'll cover the best I can because I'm most comfortable doing that.

Now, the issue of women in the military-there may be some positions suitable for women to serve in the military, mainly non-combat type positions. Personally, given a choice of who will defend me and my children and my country, I'll choose a MAN with a strong back who is not as designed to be as emotional or sensitive as a woman. A MAN who is designed with an innate nature to defend and protect. Not a female who is not any stronger physically than I am.

That said, altho my husband may be better equipped to fight battles than I am, anyone messes with my kids will be sorry they ever lived.......

[DrJerry]

There is nothing so fierce as a mother protecting her babies.
My take on women in the military is that they would preferably be in support positions not front lines.
As far as the picture of women in uniform breastfeeding, they should make sure it is cleared by their employer/ Commanding Officer. In other words, if they work for McD's and had the picture taken showing Red and Yellow uniform, it should be cleared with someone higher up.
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

[TerryK]

DrJerry you are correct. Its called the Uniform Regs.
In uniform you arent supposed to hold hands, no kissing, hell you can't even use an umbrella unless it's black.
I believe uniform regs still call for wearing fatiques on base only except when driving directly to and from.
Not supposed to wear out in civlant.

[L.A.B.]

I used to jokingly say 'you want to see a ferocious warrior, put a mother and a baby in a fox hole together' and check your enemy KIA's numbers rocket.

'Mommy, be all that you can be'

As beautiful as a woman and her child are breast feeding, if part of your nervous system fails to wince while seeing mommy in camo, then you as a part of the brave new society have been properly conditioned for perpetual war.

[Dennis Olson]

Oh yeah! I'm all for a 6-month-old baby being shot to pieces with a .50 cal, or having its head blown off by a mortar shell. You betcha.


The NEW, "more sensitive" U.S. Armed Forces....

[L.A.B.]

Oh yeah! I'm all for a 6-month-old baby being shot to pieces with a .50 cal, or having its head blown off by a mortar shell. You betcha.


The NEW, "more sensitive" U.S. Armed Forces....

That pic promotes such disconnect in human reasoning.

[Satanta]

Well, for all we know the pic is set up and neither of those women are actually in the military.

All that stuff can be bought new online and in most "surplus' stores.

[Dennis Olson]

Woman behind military breast-feeding photo fired from job

Published June 14, 2012

| FoxNews.com

The Washington state woman who orchestrated controversial photos of military moms breast-feeding their kids in uniform was fired from her civilian job as an X-ray technician and the women in the picture have been reprimanded, she said.

Crystal Scott, the spokeswoman for the Spokane-area Mom2Mom group, said her employer blamed media coverage of the controversy when she asked why she was fired. The photo was designed to pressure the military into being more accommodating to nursing moms.

[pullquote]

"It’s sad because the media has portrayed Mom2Mom in such a positive light," Scott told Right This Minute. "I was doing something for the good of people. I feel like our organization is making positive changes for women all over the world. To be punished for something that was good was unfortunate."

According to reports, the military moms in the photographs have been reprimanded by the military for violating a rule stating that military uniforms cannot be used to promote a product or cause.

The photos were meant to be released for National Breast-feeding Awareness Week, in August, but on its Facebook page, Mom2Mom said they were not meant to be exploitive.

"The military photographs were NEVER meant to exploit, promote or to use the military uniform to help our group."

Scott has served in the military and now lives on the Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane with her husband, who is on active duty. She is the spokesperson for Mom2Mom, a support group for breast-feeding on the military base.

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