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Breastfeeding Soldiers: Was The Pic In Uniform Appropriate? Social Media Overwhelmingly Supportive

By Patricia Ramirez
Published on: 08:26 PST, Sep 15, 2015

A photograph of ten collectively breastfeeding U.S. soldiers has taken social media by storm.

CNN reports that professional photographer Tara Ruby came up with the idea for the portrait of the breastfeeding soldiers during a visit to Fort Bliss. While at the base recently, Ruby heard about a new nursing room. During her active duty in the Air Force from 1997-2001, she had been a nursing mother herself. Back then, no such breastfeeding facilities had existed. She found the newly-implemented breastfeeding room more comfortable than the vacant offices and bathroom stalls she’d been relegated to in the past, but the walls were on the sparse side.

It was then that her idea to decorate with portraits of nursing soldiers was born.

“I thought it was be nice to offer some photographs as an additional show of support. Seeing a picture like that helps mothers understand they can be an active soldier and provide support to their children.”

When Ruby first conceived of the decorative pics of breastfeeding soldiers, she was went through the proper military channels for approval. Specifically, she sought out Fort Bliss Public Affairs and Garrison Command, which approved of the endeavor. She found her breastfeeding soldiers/models through an on-base support group for moms. Expecting only two or three volunteers, Ruby was wowed when she ended up with ten.

The most famous photo of the shoot took the web by storm. Depicting a group of active-duty breastfeeding mothers, it is both tasteful and discreet. No bare skin in sight. However, when Ruby initially posted the pic to her Facebook page, it was removed.

https://www.facebook.com/TaraRuby/photos/a.544680902217171.127035.128601537158445/1088446597840596/?type=1&permPage=1

https://twitter.com/GretchenPenner/status/643426018963775488

Since going viral, the pic was re-posted. It has since remained on Ruby’s page without incident, Fox News reports. She has come out in thanks of her supporters.

“Juggling the tasks and expectations of a soldier, plus providing for their own in the best way they possibly can, makes these ladies even stronger for it.”

The underlying purpose of sharing the portrait of the breastfeeding soldiers was to “normalize” breastfeeding, reduce the stigma often associated with nursing, and to spread the message that women don’t have to choose between a career and a family. That it’s entirely possible to be a mom and a soldier, and to do both 100 percent.

The group breastfeeding photograph has now been shared upwards of 10,000 times on social media. Not surprisingly, the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive.

Not surprisingly, some of the support came from the photog herself.

https://twitter.com/TaraRubyPhotog/status/642414719798652928

There’s been an overwhelming show of public support for both the photographer and her breastfeeding subjects. Some people, though, were less than pleased with the highly-publicized photo of soldiers breastfeeding in their uniforms. As you can see from the People comment section, most of those complaining about the breastfeeding soldiers were only comfortable enough to vent fairly anonymously.

“The enemies of our country fear us no more. Nothing is off limits. We’ll [sic] they be breastfeeding on the field of battle?”

Um, probably not.

While these soldiers are on active duty, they are not deployed or in an active combat situation. Soldiers are allowed to be breastfeeding while in uniform, so long as they maintain “professional standards.” Judging by the level of support these multi-tasking soldiers have gotten from the military, it’s obvious that the Army feels as though professional standards have been maintained.

What do you think? Is this viral photo appropriate? Or do you think a portrait of breastfeeding soldiers in full uniform goes too far?

[Image Credit: Jeff Topping / Getty Images]

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