R 031835Z MAY 21
MARADMIN 246/21
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP//
SUBJ/ANNUAL LEAVE IN CONJUNCTION WITH MILITARY PARENTAL LEAVE PROGRAM//
REF/A/MCO 1050.3J//
REF/B/MCO 5000.12F//
REF/C/CPG 2019//
AMPN/REF A IS MARINE CORPS ORDER 1050.3J, REGULATIONS FOR LEAVE, LIBERTY, AND ADMINISTRATIVE ABSENCE. REF B IS MARINE CORPS ORDER 5000.12F, MARINE CORPS POLICY CONCERNING PARENTHOOD AND PREGNANCY. REF C IS COMMANDANT’S PLANNING GUIDANCE 2019//
POC/M. S. ERVINE/MAJ/CMC (MPO)/TEL: (703)784-9563/MATTHEW.ERVINE@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Purpose.  This MARADMIN encourages O5 and O6 commanders to approve Annual Leave requests in conjunction with the Military Parental Leave Program (MPLP) after the birth or adoption of a child.
2.  Background.  Per reference (a), a Marine is authorized Annual Leave for a continuous period not to exceed 60 days per fiscal year (unless approved by MMEA/MMOA, or RA, as applicable) or Advance Leave up to 45 days if the Marine is able to accrue these days before their End of Current Contract (ECC).  Per reference (b), the total amount of non-chargeable leave provided via MPLP for Marines who give birth (birthparent) remains at 84 days (e.g., 42 days Maternity Convalescent Leave and 42 days Primary Caregiver Leave).  For Marines who become a parent but do not give birth (non-birthparent, also applies to adoptions), leave remains at 42 days of non-chargeable Primary Caregiver Leave (PCL) or 14 days of non-chargeable Secondary Caregiver Leave (SCL).  Per reference (c), the Marine Corps fully supports Marine families, and will do everything possible to provide parents with opportunities to remain with their newborns for extended periods of time.
3.  To extend the time off after the birth or adoption of a child, Marines who are designated as the Primary Caregiver are encouraged to request the use of their accrued Annual Leave for up to 60 days in one or more increments following MPLP.  Commanders at the O5 and O6 level are encouraged to approve Annual Leave incident to a Primary Caregiver’s request to use their Annual Leave for purposes of caregiving when requested within one year of the birth event or qualifying adoption.
3.a.  Commanders are strongly encouraged to approve Annual Leave in conjunction with MPLP.  Circumstances that may cause leave to be denied include factors associated with the unit's mission or specific operational requirements.
3.b.  MPLP must be exhausted before Annual Leave can be used for the purpose of primary caregiving after a birth event or adoption.
3.c.  If a Marine has not accrued 60 days of Annual Leave, requested Advance Leave up to 45 days may be authorized if those days can be accrued before the Marine’s ECC.
4.  The total amount of non-chargeable and chargeable leave that may be authorized for purposes of primary caregiving will be based upon the Marine’s parental status.
4.a.  As a birthparent and Primary Caregiver, MPLP and Annual Leave can provide a Marine up to 144 days or five months of time off to care for a newborn (e.g., Maternity Convalescent Leave of 42 days, Primary Caregiver Leave (PCL) of 42 days, and Annual Leave of 60 days).
4.b.  As a non-birthparent and Primary Caregiver, MPLP and Annual Leave can provide up to 102 days or over 3 months of time off to care for a newborn or adopted child (e.g., PCL of 42 days and Annual Leave of 60 days).
5.  Marines should notify their command of their desire to use Annual Leave no later than three months before the birth event or a qualifying adoption is finalized.  Commanders should remain flexible because emergent circumstances may not allow advance notice.
6.  This MARADMIN is applicable to the active component and to reserve component Marines on active duty for more than 365 days.
7.  Release authorized by BGen J. G. Woodworth, Director, Manpower Plans and Policy Division.//