For greater than a decade, households of america Army seventh Special Forces Group have struggled with discovering secure and accessible baby care.
Earlier this month, a “CBS Mornings” investigation revealed some Army Special Forces troopers in Florida had been driving as much as three hours round-trip on daily basis to take their youngsters to baby care or leaving the service altogether.
After that investigation, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth introduced that they’ve plans to construct a brand new baby growth middle at Camp Bull Simons for the seventh Special Forces group households.
Wormuth, who’s the primary girl to function secretary of the Army, stated she takes baby care personally.
“I’ve had that have of racing to drop my youngsters off on the day care middle and get into work on time or racing to get out to select them up and form of being the final mum or dad to select them up and getting the stink eye from the employees,” stated Wormuth.
Over 11,000 kids in army households are ready for baby care.
Whereas a brand new baby growth middle will likely be constructed on Camp Bull Simons, Wormuth stated the Army plans to enhance baby care entry to extra bases with better stipends for daycare and a minimum of 20 new baby care amenities within the subsequent decade.
They’re additionally dealing with the identical staffing shortages that civilian day care facilities are seeing. To assist with recruiting, Wormuth stated they’re elevating the pay for these positions.
“We’re in a battle for expertise, frankly, so we’re making an attempt to boost our pay,” she stated.
Wormuth stated that baby care points within the Army are “a readiness situation” and one which they take very severely as it could actually affect the general mission.
“We do not need a scenario the place somebody is distracted from the principle factor, which is doing their job as a result of they’re frightened about their youngsters, or we do not wish to lose a great soldier as a result of they weren’t in a position to make the kid care work,” Wormuth stated.
It is anticipated to take three years for the brand new baby growth middle at Camp Bull Simons to be accomplished. CBS News has confirmed that the Army and Air Power just lately signed a proper settlement that gives some short-term fixes for the seventh Special Forces group households.
