Military Moms Breastfeeding in uniforms.

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**hotsauceman1**

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.

Related: Moms react to the "Time" magazine's "Are You Mom enough?" breastfeeding cover

"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?"

Related: Army mom home from Afghanistan surprises her son

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."

All of the women in the photos volunteered to appear in the awareness campaign, and Echegoyen-McCabe is featured -- wearing civilian clothing -- in a few of the other candid shots. None of the photos are posed; the women are simply feeding their babies the way they usually do. But even though some of the other photographs are just as revealing, only the ones of Echegoyen-McCabe and her friend Christina Luna in uniform have been criticized.

"The Air Force has never endorsed these photos," the photographer, Brynja Sigurdardottir points out on her website, where she posted several other photos from the Mom2Mom campaign. "These women just happen to be in the Air Force, in their uniform, breastfeeding their babies."

When it comes to talking about breastfeeding in public, comparing it to other bodily functions -- and even sex -- is common, in spite of the fact that breastfeeding is legal and protected while defecating or having sex in public is not. But the fact that two of the moms are shown breastfeeding in public while wearing military uniforms makes the entire controversy more complicated. The Army, for example, didn't even come up with a combat uniform for women until 2010, so accepting the idea of a uniformed soldier breastfeeding a baby may be especially jarring. And the uniforms themselves come with their own sets of rules.

According to Military Spouse Central, public displays of affection -- even something as innocuous as holding hands -- are not allowed while wearing a military uniform. Also forbidden while in uniform: eating, drinking, or talking on a cell phone while walking, carrying an umbrella that's not black, and (in some cases) smoking or even chewing gum. While there is no policy that addresses breastfeeding in uniform, Air Force spokesperson Captain Rose Richeson told MSNBC: "Airmen should be mindful of their dress and appearance and present a professional image at all times while in uniform." Military moms who are still breastfeeding are encouraged to pump and bottle-feed their babies while they're in uniform.

Scott suggests that the issue might have less to do with the uniform and more to do with our own internal conflicts. "I think a lot of people think that you can't be a mom and be a soldier," she says. "This is not something that's out of norm for them. They breastfeed in uniform all the time -- it's just not something that's usually captured on film."

Note: The link has a icture that might not be SFW, nothing is exposed but i figured i would give a warning.
http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/military-moms-breastfeeding-uniform-stir-controversey-214500503.html
I know alot of people here are current or former military and i wonder what they think.
I myself find it odd in the pic that the mothers are not using blankets like most mothers do here.
The thing is, it is still considered irregular, if you cant even kiss in uniform, why breastfeed is acceptable?
But then again this is something natural showing she is a god other who doesnt just feed her kids formula.

**purplefood**

public displays of affection -- even something as innocuous as holding hands -- are not allowed while wearing a military uniform. Also forbidden while in uniform: eating, drinking, or talking on a cell phone while walking, carrying an umbrella that's not black, and (in some cases) smoking or even chewing gum.

Really?
This seems... well fairly absurd...
I don't see why breastfeeding in uniform should be an issue...

**Kilkrazy**

Military people serve and eat rations in uniform. Why shouldn't they breast feed Amercia's future soldiers?

Presumably some people associate breastfeeding with adult sexuality, and think it is dirty.

**PhantomViper**

public displays of affection -- even something as innocuous as holding hands -- are not allowed while wearing a military uniform. Also forbidden while in uniform: eating, drinking, or talking on a cell phone while walking, carrying an umbrella that's not black, and (in some cases) smoking or even chewing gum.

**SilverMK2**

Kilkrazy wrote:Presumably some people associate breastfeeding with adult sexuality, and think it is dirty.

I'm going to assume this is the case here.

I don't see any issue with people breastfeeding in uniform or out of it.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

PhantomViper wrote:
public displays of affection -- even something as innocuous as holding hands -- are not allowed while wearing a military uniform. Also forbidden while in uniform: eating, drinking, or talking on a cell phone while walking, carrying an umbrella that's not black, and (in some cases) smoking or even chewing gum.

I'm pretty sure I've seen pictures and movies of American soldiers eating, drinking and smoking while in uniform...

**rockerbikie**

If people can't kiss in uniform, why on earth are they allowed to show partial nudity in uniform?

**AustonT**

PhantomViper wrote:
public displays of affection -- even something as innocuous as holding hands -- are not allowed while wearing a military uniform. Also forbidden while in uniform: eating, drinking, or talking on a cell phone while walking, carrying an umbrella that's not black, and (in some cases) smoking or even chewing gum.

I'm pretty sure I've seen pictures and movies of American soldiers eating, drinking and smoking while in uniform...

**rockerbikie**

AustonT wrote:
PhantomViper wrote:
public displays of affection -- even something as innocuous as holding hands -- are not allowed while wearing a military uniform. Also forbidden while in uniform: eating, drinking, or talking on a cell phone while walking, carrying an umbrella that's not black, and (in some cases) smoking or even chewing gum.

I'm pretty sure I've seen pictures and movies of American soldiers eating, drinking and smoking while in uniform...

You are missing the "while walking" portion. Joes still do it, it's just not permitted.
I don't take issue with mothers nursing in uniform, I take issue with mothers usig their uniform to appear in a planned photo without authorization. Beyond the fact they should be censured for thier actions: .milMoms breastfeeding=who cares? Actually the one with her blouse open and tshirt up with the double feed is a bit much...save that for somewhere private.

**Rimmy**

i'm former US Air Force, and I put it like this, no ones telling them they CAN'T breastfeed, they're telling them they can't do it in public.

me personally, military or not, I really think breast feeding should be done in private anyway.

under the UCMJ, if they continue they CAN be punished accordingly. hate it or love it, the UCMJ supercedes local and national jurisdiction.

**Bromsy**

It would be the damned Air Force coming up with this nonsense. When you are in uniform, you should be Doing Your Job. When you aren't Doing Your Job, get the feth out of uniform. You aren't allowed to chew gum or put your hands in your pockets for gods sake, unless that standard has slipped too since I got out. There are regulations covering the wear and appearance of the military uniform that you are obliged to follow. I don't conflate this with adult sexuality or any other nonsense, it is simply disrespectful to the uniform.

Plus they are outside without covers on.

**Kilkrazy**

rockerbikie wrote:If people can't kiss in uniform, why on earth are they allowed to show partial nudity in uniform?

If a soldier gets shot in the chest, the medic will cut the shirt off him/her in order to examine and treat the wound.

That's partial nudity.

**SilverMK2**

Kilkrazy wrote:
rockerbikie wrote:If people can't kiss in uniform, why on earth are they allowed to show partial nudity in uniform?

If a soldier gets shot in the chest, the medic will cut the shirt off him/her in order to examine and treat the wound.

That's partial nudity.

I'm sure I've seen pictures of soldiers working in various hot places of the world without shirts on.

**biccat**

The photo is part of a local breastfeeding awareness campaign by Mom2Mom of Fairchild Air Force Base

I think this is the problem right here.

The military doesn't like it when you make political statements, regardless of the message, while wearing a uniform (or part of one).

**Rimmy**

Kilkrazy wrote:
rockerbikie wrote:If people can't kiss in uniform, why on earth are they allowed to show partial nudity in uniform?

If a soldier gets shot in the chest, the medic will cut the shirt off him/her in order to examine and treat the wound.

That's partial nudity.

did you seriously just liken someone being shot in the chest to breast feeding?

there is also blood and gore involved in bullets. not so much with breastfeeding.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

SilverMK2 wrote:
Kilkrazy wrote:
rockerbikie wrote:If people can't kiss in uniform, why on earth are they allowed to show partial nudity in uniform?

If a soldier gets shot in the chest, the medic will cut the shirt off him/her in order to examine and treat the wound.

That's partial nudity.

I'm sure I've seen pictures of soldiers working in various hot places of the world without shirts on.

you have. thats to prevent heat exhastion. we did it in my unit.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Bromsy wrote:It would be the damned Air Force coming up with this nonsense. When you are in uniform, you should be Doing Your Job. When you aren't Doing Your Job, get the feth out of uniform. You aren't allowed to chew gum or put your hands in your pockets for gods sake, unless that standard has slipped too since I got out. There are regulations covering the wear and appearance of the military uniform that you are obliged to follow. I don't conflate this with adult sexuality or any other nonsense, it is simply disrespectful to the uniform.

Plus they are outside without covers on.

and not every place in the air force is required to wear your cover out doors. ever been on an active flight line? its a no hat no salute zone.

**rockerbikie**

Kilkrazy wrote:
rockerbikie wrote:If people can't kiss in uniform, why on earth are they allowed to show partial nudity in uniform?

If a soldier gets shot in the chest, the medic will cut the shirt off him/her in order to examine and treat the wound.

That's partial nudity.

You are seriously comparing a life and death situation to just feeding a kid. Oh please, the first one is critical. It also involves, blood and other materials. It's life and death, it's unavoidable, breast feeding is not unavoidable.

**SilverMK2**

rockerbikie wrote:you have. thats to prevent heat exhastion. we did it in my unit.

*cough*

rockerbikie wrote:why on earth are they allowed to show partial nudity in uniform?

Now we have established that soldiers can go about partially dressed in uniform (or showing partial nudity to put it another way) what do we have to do to extend this being OK to women sustaining the life of their child?

**Bromsy**

Rimmy wrote:

Bromsy wrote:It would be the damned Air Force coming up with this nonsense. When you are in uniform, you should be Doing Your Job. When you aren't Doing Your Job, get the feth out of uniform. You aren't allowed to chew gum or put your hands in your pockets for gods sake, unless that standard has slipped too since I got out. There are regulations covering the wear and appearance of the military uniform that you are obliged to follow. I don't conflate this with adult sexuality or any other nonsense, it is simply disrespectful to the uniform.

Plus they are outside without covers on.

and not every place in the air force is required to wear your cover out doors. ever been on an active flight line? its a no hat no salute zone.

Is that a flight line? No, it isn't. There are areas with different exemptions to certain parts of the uniform policy. That doesn't mean it's a free for all.

- and just to reiterate, this isn't a problem I have with breastfeeding. This is a problem I have with a general slipping of standards all across the board. You'll get the same vitriolic response from me about the nastygirl wastes of space wandering around the mall in uniform, just hanging the feth out, trying to use their uniforms to make girls ignore their guts and general hideousness.

**Hordini**

I totally support women breastfeeding in public, and that includes military mothers. However, I do agree with what others have said that people shouldn't be making political statements (like being involved in this photo shoot) while in uniform, and that in most cases, if you're not on duty you probably shouldn't really be in uniform.

**SilverMK2**

Hordini wrote:I totally support women breastfeeding in public, and that includes military mothers. However, I do agree with what others have said that people shouldn't be making political statements (like being involved in this photo shoot) while in uniform, and that in most cases, if you're not on duty you probably shouldn't really be in uniform.

Being a mum is active duty 24/7

**Rimmy**

Bromsy wrote:
Rimmy wrote:

Bromsy wrote:It would be the damned Air Force coming up with this nonsense. When you are in uniform, you should be Doing Your Job. When you aren't Doing Your Job, get the feth out of uniform. You aren't allowed to chew gum or put your hands in your pockets for gods sake, unless that standard has slipped too since I got out. There are regulations covering the wear and appearance of the military uniform that you are obliged to follow. I don't conflate this with adult sexuality or any other nonsense, it is simply disrespectful to the uniform.

Plus they are outside without covers on.

and not every place in the air force is required to wear your cover out doors. ever been on an active flight line? its a no hat no salute zone.

Is that a flight line? No, it isn't. There are areas with different exemptions to certain parts of the uniform policy. That doesn't mean it's a free for all.

that's an assumption. how can we actually even be sure those women are actually military members? its quite common for the film and TV industry to use full uniforms sans cover to protray people without violating the "impersonating a government offical" law.

and let me guess, marine?

**Melissia**

SilverMK2 wrote:
Kilkrazy wrote:Presumably some people associate breastfeeding with adult sexuality, and think it is dirty.
I'm going to assume this is the case here.

Yeah, it's pretty stupid, but they do.

Mind you, for women, toplessness itself is considered sexual-- a guy could probably get away with exercising topless, but a woman couldn't, even with a sports bra on...

**Hordini**

SilverMK2 wrote:
Hordini wrote:I totally support women breastfeeding in public, and that includes military mothers. However, I do agree with what others have said that people shouldn't be making political statements (like being involved in this photo shoot) while in uniform, and that in most cases, if you're not on duty you probably shouldn't really be in uniform.

Being a mum is active duty 24/7

That's definitely true, but you don't need to wear a uniform to be one.

**AustonT**

.
Edit. Totally misread that.

**Hordini**

Melissia wrote:
SilverMK2 wrote:
Kilkrazy wrote:Presumably some people associate breastfeeding with adult sexuality, and think it is dirty.
I'm going to assume this is the case here.
Yeah, it's pretty stupid, but they do.

Mind you, for women, toplessness itself is considered sexual-- a guy could probably get away with exercising topless, but a woman couldn't, even with a sports bra on...

Um, what? I've seen plenty of women working out in sports bras, especially in the summer.

**dæl**

Not really bothered by them breastfeeding in uniform, if they are advised to use other methods then it is disrespectful and they should be told this. But at least the children weren't 5 years old like with the original TIME story, now that is just all kinds of wrong.

**Hordini**

AustonT wrote:.
Edit. Totally misread that.

Heh, yeah....I saw your original post and was about to say...

It's all good, no harm done.

**Bromsy**

Rimmy wrote:
Bromsy wrote:
Rimmy wrote:

Bromsy wrote:It would be the damned Air Force coming up with this nonsense. When you are in uniform, you should be Doing Your Job. When you aren't Doing Your Job, get the feth out of uniform. You aren't allowed to chew gum or put your hands in your pockets for gods sake, unless that standard has slipped too since I got out. There are regulations covering the wear and appearance of the military uniform that you are obliged to follow. I don't conflate this with adult sexuality or any other nonsense, it is simply disrespectful to the uniform.

Plus they are outside without covers on.

and not every place in the air force is required to wear your cover out doors. ever been on an active flight line? its a no hat no salute zone.

Is that a flight line? No, it isn't. There are areas with different exemptions to certain parts of the uniform policy. That doesn't mean it's a free for all.

that's an assumption. how can we actually even be sure those women are actually military members? its quite common for the film and TV industry to use full uniforms sans cover to protray people without violating the "impersonating a government offical" law.

and let me guess, marine?

Army, and

"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."

... so unless you are saying the whole article is fabricated? Or those aren't the real pictures and they are keeping those pictures private and replacing them with pictures of actors?

**SilverMK2**

Hordini wrote:That's definitely true, but you don't need to wear a uniform to be one.

A child crying to be fed doesn't always give you time to change

Though I am not entirely sure on the dynamic of baby and service in the armed forces vis a vis baby care and duty. I'd assume that female soldiers with small children would have them looked after either off base or at a child centre on base and so would be able to change out of uniform before collecting the (potentially hungry) child, making this less of an issue.

**Ahtman**

Rimmy wrote: how can we actually even be sure those women are actually military members? its quite common for the film and TV industry to use full uniforms sans cover to protray people without violating the "impersonating a government offical" law.

This isn't a television show or a film, and the status of the women in question is not in doubt. They aren't being clandestine or trying to trick anyone. Just putting on a uniform is not what is against the law. If you are going to bring it up, try to know more about it.

AustonT and biccat pretty much nailed it in that it isn't about breastfeeding, nor is it really about being in a photo breastfeeding, it is taking part in a campaign, political or otherwise, while in uniform. If they had posed for the pictures in civilian clothes this wouldn't be a problem, but they didn't, so it is. You can't use the military to bolster a personal agenda, no matter how benign.

**AustonT**

Hordini wrote:
AustonT wrote:.
Edit. Totally misread that.

Heh, yeah....I saw your original post and was about to say...

It's all good, no harm done.

Epic do vs don't reading is essential fail.
My bad.