R 261604Z AUG 15
MARADMIN 421/15
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP//
SUBJ/ MARINE CORPS MATERNITY AND CONVALESCENT LEAVE POLICY//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/CMC WASHINGTON DC MPO/19MAY2009//
REF/B/MSGID: DOC/CMC WASHINGTON DC MPO-40/08DEC2004//
REF/C/MSGID: MSG/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/021900ZJUL2015//
NARR/REF A IS MCO 1050.3J, REGULATIONS FOR LEAVE, LIBERTY, AND ADMINISTRATIVE ABSENCE. REF B IS MCO 5000.12E, MARINE CORPS POLICY CONCERNING PREGNANCY AND PARENTHOOD. REF C IS ALNAV 053/15, DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY MATERNITY AND CONVALESCENT LEAVE POLICY.//
POC/UNIT: CMC MPO/TEL: DSN 278-9386/87/88/TEL: COM (703)784-9386/87/88//
RMKS/1. PURPOSE. TO ANNOUNCE FORTHCOMING CHANGES TO REFERENCES (A) AND (B) AS AUTHORIZED AND DIRECTED BY THE SECRETARY OF NAVY IN REFERENCE (C).
2. EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, COMMANDING OFFICERS SHALL GRANT UP TO 126 DAYS OF CONVALESCENT LEAVE TO A MARINE WHO GIVES BIRTH, UPON THE REQUEST OF THE MARINE.
   A. THE 126 DAYS INCLUDES THE 42 DAYS CONVALESCENT PERIOD (AND ANY EXTENSIONS) IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING RELEASE FROM THE MEDICAL FACILITY FOLLOWING THE BIRTH OF THE CHILD. THE ADDITIONAL 84 DAYS OF CONVALESCENT LEAVE IS KNOWN AS ADDITIONAL MATERNITY LEAVE (AML). THE AML DOES NOT HAVE TO BE TAKEN CONSECUTIVELY, BUT MUST BE USED WITHIN 365 DAYS OF THE CHILD’S BIRTH. ADDITIONALLY, ANY MARINE WHO GAVE BIRTH TO A CHILD SINCE 1 JAN 2015 IS ENTITLED TO THE FULL BENEFITS UNDER THIS NEW POLICY. MARINES REQUESTING AML MUST COORDINATE LEAVE PERIODS WITH THEIR COMMANDING OFFICERS.
   B. COMMANDING OFFICERS SHALL GRANT THE ENTIRE 126 DAYS OF LEAVE WHEN REQUESTED AS A SINGLE BLOCK IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE MARINE’S RELEASE FROM THE MEDICAL FACILITY. COMMANDING OFFICERS WILL MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ACCOMMODATE A MARINE’S REQUEST ON TIMING OF AML WHEN REQUESTED IN TWO OR MORE BLOCKS.
   C. AML MAY NOT BE TAKEN MONDAY THRU FRIDAY, LIBERTY ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, AND THEN RESUME AML MONDAY THRU FRIDAY. WEEKENDS AND LIBERTY PERIODS ARE COUNTED AGAINST THE AML.
   D. USE OF AML WILL NOT ALTER THE REQUIREMENTS OF REFERENCE (B) FOR RETURNING TO MARINE CORPS STANDARDS AND COMPLETING A MARINE CORPS PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST OR COMBAT FITNESS TEST.
3. AMPLIFYING INFORMATION
   A. UNTIL MARINE ONLINE IS MODIFIED TO ACCEPT AML, THIS LEAVE WILL BE ACCOUNTED FOR UNDER CONVALESCENT LEAVE. COMMANDS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING MARINES DO NOT RECEIVE MORE THAN THE 126 DAYS.
   B. UNUSED AML WILL BE LOST AT SEPARATION OR UPON ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF BIRTH.
   C. IF A SECOND CHILD IS BORN PRIOR TO USING ALL AML FROM A PREVIOUS BIRTH, THE AMOUNT OF MATERNITY LEAVE AND AML RESETS TO 126 DAYS.
   D. MULTIPLE BIRTHS (TWINS, TRIPLETS, ETC) DO NOT INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF AML.
   E. RESERVE MARINES WHO GIVE BIRTH ON ACTIVE DUTY RECALL OR MOBILIZATION ORDERS WILL BE EXTENDED ON ACTIVE DUTY AT THEIR REQUEST FOR THE PURPOSE OF TAKING AML.
   F. REPORTING SENIORS AND REVIEWING OFFICERS WILL ENSURE MARINES ARE NOT DISADVANTAGED FOR USING AML.
   G. SPECIAL LEAVE ACCRUAL FOR UNUSED ANNUAL LEAVE NOT TAKEN WILL NOT BE APPROVED IF AML IS THE JUSTIFICATION CITED IN THE REQUEST.
4. ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE USE OF AML SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO CMC MPO.
5. RELEASE AUTHORIZED BY LTGEN M. A. BRILAKIS, DEPUTY COMMANDANT FOR MANPOWER AND RESERVE AFFAIRS.//