Military Families Get Amazing Baby Support Now
The journey into parenthood is one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences in military life. For military families, this journey is often compounded by the unique stressors of frequent moves, long Deployment periods, and the constant need for reliable family support. Fortunately, the Military Community is not without its resources. The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) stands as a steadfast pillar, offering amazing support systems to ensure New Parents can focus on Family Wellbeing and the healthy Child Development of their Babies.
A Century of Support: The NMCRS Visiting Nurse Program
One of the most vital and long-standing services offered by the NMCRS is the Visiting Nurse Program. Established in 1922, this program provides free, confidential, and personalized in-home or telehealth support to active duty and retired Sailors, Marines, and their families. This service is a true testament to the dedication of Military Support for its youngest members and their caregivers.
In March, the First Year Focus, an innovative program that supports the physical and mental well-being of Navy and Marine Corps mothers, babies and families during pregnancy and the first year postpartum. Offered through the NMCRS Visiting Nurse Program, families participating in First Year Focus receive in-home support and education tailored to their needs, helping them navigate pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenting with confidence and care.
As Capt. Rosemary Perdue, RN (Retired), the Director of Visiting Nurses for NMCRS, highlights, the program is designed to meet the unique needs of military family life. These registered nurses are experts in Baby Care and offer guidance on a wide range of topics, ensuring new parents feel confident and supported.
Rosie assumed the position as Director of Nursing for Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society’s Visiting Nurse Program in Fall of 2022 after 30 years of Naval Service. She received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Neumann College and her Master’s in Nursing from The Catholic University of America. She served in the Wounded Warrior Unit at the National Naval Medical Center-Bethesda and Charge Nurse of the Enemy Prisoner of War unit on USNS Comfort supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. She also led the 24/7 on-call team which provided medical support to the President and first family.
Lt. Cmdr. Megan Hagen, USN, is a first-time active-duty mother to a 6-week-old daughter and has been in the First Year Focus program since just before her daughter Audrey was born. Currently, she serves as the Columbia Class Submarine Program Manager Representative at the Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion, and Repair at Newport News, VA. LCDR Hagen met her husband, Danny, in 2015. They’ve been happily married for eight years and welcomed their first child, Audrey, in 2025.
Capt. Rosemary Perdue, RN (Retired)
Lt. Cmdr. Megan Hagen, USN
How Visiting Nurses Support New Military Families
The NMCRS visiting nurse program offers critical, individualized care that goes beyond a standard doctor’s visit. For New Parents navigating the complexities of their new role, the nurses provide:
- Prenatal and Infant Concerns: Expert guidance on all aspects of a baby’s health, from the newborn stage through early Child Development [2].
- New Parent Guidance and Parenting Tips: Practical advice on daily Baby Care, including feeding, sleeping, and establishing healthy routines.
- Breastfeeding Support: Tips and coaching for mothers who choose to breastfeed.
- Baby Weight Checks: Monitoring the baby’s growth to ensure they are thriving.
- Health Education and Resource Referral: Answering questions about medications and medical care, and connecting families to other essential resources within the Military Community [2].
This personalized attention is especially crucial when a parent is deployed, allowing the family member at home to have a trusted, professional resource for their Parenting Advice and concerns.
Financial Readiness for Your Military Child
Beyond direct health and Baby Care support, NMCRS recognizes that financial stability is a cornerstone of Family Wellbeing. The organization offers a suite of Support Programs to help military families prepare for the financial realities of welcoming a Military Child.
The NMCRS “Budget for Baby®” workshop is a key resource, helping expecting parents develop a sound financial plan for their growing family. This program helps address the financial stressors that can often accompany a new baby, ensuring that families have the resources they need to thrive [3].
As discussed in the video featuring RDML. Dawn Cutler, the NMCRS mission is to provide assistance for hardships, including those related to Deployment and unexpected financial needs. Their interest-free loans, grants, and financial education services are all part of a comprehensive approach to military family support [3].
A Network of Care for the Military Family
The NMCRS visiting nurses are more than just healthcare professionals; they are a vital part of the military family support network. They can work directly with a family’s healthcare team to ensure continuity of care, a feature particularly valuable given the frequent relocations inherent in military life [2].
The combination of expert health guidance from a visiting nurse and robust financial and community Support Programs ensures that military families have access to the “amazing baby support” they need to navigate the challenges of their service. By leveraging these free and confidential services, New Parents in the Navy and Marine Corps community can confidently embrace Parenting and the joy of raising their Babies.
The Mission of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
Listen on Podcast
Did you like your experience?
Please leave us a Testimonial HERE if you have a Google account.
Your word helps get our word out to more people.
Thank you in advance!!
