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Opinions from the field

“I agree that the soldier failed to handle her situation correctly, but it’s a little off that her chain of command did not see this coming.”

— Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Lee, 46, sergeant major of the operations section, Fort Lewis, Wash.

“The soldier should be chaptered out of the Army and batted to enter back in until she can find a long-term care provider for her child. Like any other soldier chaptered out under parenthood, she should receive an honorable or a general discharge, depending on the circumstances.”

— Tony Lane, 33, Army logistics management specialist, Columbus, Ohio

“It is not easy for a single mom to leave her child in somebody’s care while you deploy. Children do not understand why you are leaving them, and it gets to the point where you ask yourself if it’s worth it.”

— Sgt. 1st Class Sharon Acosta, 38, Camp Santiago Training Center,

Puerto Rico

“I spent 20 years in the Army and I’ve deployed twice. I think the mother of a child that young should not be made to deploy. She needs to bond with the child. If she doesn’t come back, what will the military do for that child?”

— Sgt. Lee Mitchell, 47, Department of Homeland Security, Buffalo, N.Y.

“If she is unable to perform her duties, i.e., deploy, she should be kicked out of the Army. Why should the government pay her a full salary as well as all the benefits if she isn’t holding up her end? I’m sure it’s difficult to be a single parent, but many others hold up their end.”

— Kristina Carr, 35, Fort Drum, N.Y.