Leaving my baby to go to OBC!

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Hello,

I've been in the Army for almost ten years now. 8 in the National Guard, and 2 in the Reserves. I have put off OBC due to pregnancy and the post partum period, and now my unit is finally pressuring me to go. I know I need to go and I honestly want to go. However, I'm so nervous about leaving my (will be 6 months old) son. Has anyone done this? Do you have any advice? I am also breast feeding and have heard of women pumping during OBC to keep their supply up. This sounds crazy to me since we'll be in the field for most of it, but if others have done it, it might be worth a shot. Any ideas???

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Quick question: has your entire time in the military been as a commissioned officer?

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No. The first eight were enlisted in the NG. I switched to the Reserves to get my commission. NG didn't have any Nursing slots. It's almost been 2 years. That's why my unit is ready for me to go to OBC.

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Reserve OBLC is a few weeks...if you are freaking out over that, what will you do if/when you deploy?

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Thanks for you support. I've been deployed twice, only I didn't have a child then. I am allowed to be nervous about leaving my child. I wouldn't be human if I wasn't. Maybe you could care less. Thanks.

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Plus, other components allow a year post partum before you are placed on orders or sent to the field. Why doesn't the Army adjust their regulation?

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What a lot of stress!! I don't know anything about OBC but 6 months of breast feeding is awesome. I breast feed for three months and then pumped the milk and feed for a long time. However the transition to a bottle was a nightmare. So if you are planning on going to OBC, and have not started giving the baby a bottle, start as soon as possible. It might also be good to pump and freeze some milk for a back supply. Good Luck to you!

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I am sorry if I offended you. having children myself, i understand the difficulties in leaving your family behind.

I guess I just saw your post and responded. I have friends who have missed over three years of their child's life due to deployments, and your reaction to a few weeks sparked my response... after all, that is the job.

Anyway, I was wrong to jump to conclusions, and I apologize for any offense I may have caused.

I wish you luck,

LA40

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Plus, other components allow a year post partum before you are placed on orders or sent to the field. Why doesn't the Army adjust their regulation?

That's a mighty bold claim and I'm not sure its entirely accurate. For clarity and to prevent more bad information from permeating this board, where did you get this information?

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It's a DOD directive... I'm trying to imagine navy have 1 year post partum before sent to field or sea duty... it would not 'work'.

AR 614-30, paragraphs 3-3 and 5-3; table 2-1, Nos. 13 and 14; table 3-1, Nos. 31-33; and table 3-2, Nos. 1d and 1e; DoD Directive

Except under unusual circumstances, the soldier should not be reassigned to overseas commands until her pregnancy is terminated. If assigned overseas, the soldier will remain overseas. She may be reassigned within the continental U.S. (CONUS). Medical clearance must be obtained prior to any reassignment. Soldiers will be considered available for worldwide deployment 4 months after giving birth.

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Thanks JC, I had previously heard four months and was questioning the one year aspect. Either way, the pride from serving in the military is a result of sacrificing.

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