WarDocs - The Military Medicine Podcast
Health & Fitness:Medicine
We're thrilled to welcome Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Minette Herrick on our latest episode of WarDocs. A Registered Dietician and international board-certified Lactation Consultant, Minette provides important insights on her compelling research, which draws from professional studies and personal experiences. The focus is on her enlightening article, 'Increasing Maternity Leave and Decreasing Attrition Rates of US Active Duty Women in the Prenatal and Immediate Postpartum Period.' She brings to the fore the critical issues surrounding maternity leave policies and their effect on the retention rates of female service members.
We take you through the intriguing journey of the Department of Navy's shift from a six-week maternity leave policy to an 18-week one. Explore with us how this transition has significantly impacted the recruitment and retention rates in the military sector. We also shed light on critical policies like the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 and 2009 and the Secretary of Defense Leave Policy of 2016. Learn about the influence these policy shifts, including the Military Couples Caregiver Separation policy, have had on the experiences of Active-Duty married members. Join in and gain a broader understanding of the importance of family-friendly policies in the military.
Chapters:
(00:00) Extended Maternity Leave in the Military
(08:23) Military Maternity Leave and Retention Rates
Chapter Summaries:
(00:00) Extended Maternity Leave in the Military
Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Minette Herrick, a registered dietician and international board-certified lactation consultant, speaks about her article Increasing Maternity Leave and Decreasing Attrition Rates of US Active Duty Women in the Prenatal and Immediate Postpartum Period. Minette explains the reasons for her research, which included her personal experience of having four children while on active duty, and explores how providing paid parental leave can impact the organization. The results of the research show that women who are allotted six weeks of maternity leave had significantly greater odds of leaving the military, measured from the time of their initial prenatal visit to one year postpartum, than those who are entitled to 12 weeks of leave. We discuss the implications of these findings and the importance of health policy in positively impacting the health of people both inside and outside of the military.
(08:23) Military Maternity Leave and Retention Rates
We discuss the changes in the Department of Navy's maternity leave policy, from six weeks to 18 weeks, and the impact it has had on recruitment and retention of female service members. We shed light on the importance of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 and 2009, which first allowed for maternity leave, and the Secretary of Defense Leap Policy of 2016, which allowed for 12 weeks of parental leave for both birth parents after a period of convalescent leave. We explore the implications of the Military Couples Caregiver Separation policy, which gives active-duty married members the option to request caregiver separation. Finally, we discuss the findings of a retrospective cohort study of 67,281 active-duty women that found increased allotment of maternity leave from six weeks to 12 weeks was associated with decreased attrition rates.
Take Home Messages:
Episode Keywords:
Military Maternity Leave, Retention Rates, National Defense Authorization Act, Secretary of Defense Leap Policy, Military Couples Caregiver Separation, Prenatal Visit, Postpartum Period, Paid Parental Leave, Health Policy, Attrition Rates, Convalescent Leave, Retrospective Cohort Study
Hashtags:
#MilitaryMaternityLeave #PolicyShifts #RetentionRates #LieutenantColonelHerrick #MilitaryFamilies #WomenInMilitary #MaternityPolicyChange #FamilyFriendlyPolicies #ActiveDuty #MilitaryMedicine #WarDocsPodcast #ParentalLeave #NavyMaternityPolicy #MilitaryRetention #NationalDefenseAuthorizationAct #MilitaryRecruitment #MilitaryAttritionRates #MilitaryServiceMembers #MilitaryFamilySupport #PostpartumInMilitary
Honoring the Legacy and Preserving the History of Military Medicine
The WarDocs Mission is to honor the legacy, preserve the oral history, and showcase career opportunities, unique expeditionary experiences, and achievements of Military Medicine. We foster patriotism and pride in Who we are, What we do, and, most importantly, How we serve Our Patients, the DoD, and Our Nation.
Find out more and join Team WarDocs at https://www.wardocspodcast.com/
Check our list of previous guest episodes at https://www.wardocspodcast.com/episodes
Listen to the “What We Are For” Episode 47. https://bit.ly/3r87Afm
WarDocs- The Military Medicine Podcast is a Non-Profit, Tax-exempt-501(c)(3) Veteran Run Organization run by volunteers. All donations are tax-deductible and go to honoring and preserving the history, experiences, successes, and lessons learned in Military Medicine. A tax receipt will be sent to you.
WARDOCS documents the experiences, contributions, and innovations of all military medicine Services, ranks, and Corps who are affectionately called "Docs" as a sign of respect, trust, and confidence on and off the battlefield, demonstrating dedication to the medical care of fellow comrades in arms.
Follow Us on Social Media
Twitter: @wardocspodcast
Facebook: WarDocs Podcast
Instagram: @wardocspodcast
LinkedIn: WarDocs-The Military Medicine Podcast
Special Operations Forces to School of Medicine (SOF to SOM): Ricky Ditzel
Exploring the Intersection of Civilian and Military Medicine: A Story of Dedication and Leadership- MG(R) Joseph Caravalho, Jr. M.D.
Charting Unconventional Career Paths: From Navy Enlisted to America’s Medical School- ENS Alexius Russell
Perfect Practice: A Navy Captain’s Surgical Journey: CAPT (Ret) Paul B. Roach, MD, FACS
An Inside Look into General Surgery training in the Military with Recent Graduate Dr. Alexis Lauria
Navigating Operational Medicine Challenges in Military Medicine: COL(R) Jonathan Jaffin, MD
Exploring Military and Diplomatic Medicine with State Department Regional Medical Officer Andrew P. Hyatt, DO, FAAFP
Leadership and Adaptability in Operational Medicine: BG(R) Richard Ursone.
Exploring the History and Evolution of Combat Wound Care- COL(R) Evan Renz, MD
A Deep Dive into the Rigorous Training of Combat Paramedics: LTC Brandi M. Dupoux, MSN, RN, CEN, ECCN
Combat Surgery Series: Blunt Abdominal Trauma with CAPT (R) Paul Roach
Combat Surgery Series: Hemorrhagic Shock and Damage Control Resuscitation with Col Jeremy Cannon
Exploring the Intricacies of Military Healthcare: MG(R) Brian C. Lein, MD, FACS
Leadership, Readiness and Taking Care of Warriors: Reflections from Navy TSG VADM(Ret) Matthew L. Nathan, MD, FACP, FACHE
Celebrating the Life of COL(R) Anthony Johnson, MD- An Amazing Man, A Remarkable Journey (1965-2022)
The Intersection of Military Service and Trauma Surgery- Air Force Reserve Colonel Jeremy W. Cannon, MD, FACS
Advancements and Evolution of Combat Casualty Care with DHA Trauma Medical Director Colonel Stacy Shackelford, MD, FACS
Understanding the Intricacies of Military Trauma Care and Combat Casualty Mortality Analysis- COL(R) Russ S. Kotwal, MD, MPH
Life on the Edge: Inside the High-Stakes World of an Air Force Pararescueman with CMSgt (Ret) Chad McCoy
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Good Mood Revolution
Good Nurse Bad Nurse
The Relaxback UK Show
On Call With Dr. Anselm Anyoha
The Peter Attia Drive
The Doctor’s Farmacy with Mark Hyman, M.D.