ADVANCE NOTIFICATION OF CHANGE TO MARINE CORPS ORDER 5000.12F CH1 (MARINE CORPS POLICY CONCERNING PARENTHOOD AND PREGNANCY), INCREASE TO MAXIMUM AUTHORIZED SECONDARY CAREGIVER LEAVE
Date Signed: 2/14/2022 | MARADMINS Number: 048/22
MARADMINS : 048/22

R 141300 FEB 22
MARADMIN 048/22
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MP//
SUBJ/ADVANCE NOTIFICATION OF CHANGE TO MARINE CORPS ORDER 5000.12F CH1 (MARINE CORPS POLICY CONCERNING PARENTHOOD AND PREGNANCY), INCREASE TO MAXIMUM AUTHORIZED SECONDARY CAREGIVER LEAVE//
REF/A/MSGID: MEMO/ASN(M&RA)/11FEB22//
REF/BA/MSGID: MCO/5000.12F CH 1/10MAR21//
REF/C/MSGID: MSG/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP/R031835ZMAY21//
AMPN/REF A IS DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY PARENTAL LEAVE POLICY CHANGE. REF B IS MARINE CORPS ORDER 5000.12F CH1, MARINE CORPS POLICY CONCERNING PARENTHOOD AND PREGNANCY. REF C IS MARADMIN 246/21, ANNUAL LEAVE IN CONJUNCTION WITH MILITARY PARENTAL LEAVE PROGRAM.//
POC/K. A. CERNY/CIV/M&RA(MPO)/TEL: 703-784-9387/EMAIL: KERRY.CERNY@USMC.MIL//
POC/M. S. ERVINE/MAJ/M&RA(MPO)/TEL: 703-784-9563/EMAIL: MATTHEW.ERVINE@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Purpose.  To advise of an immediate change to the Department of the Navy parental leave policy as authorized by reference (a).  Also, to provide advance notification of changes to reference (b) to incorporate this change.
2.  Policy Change.  Reference (a) increases the maximum amount of Secondary Caregiver Leave (SCL) for Marine parents following the birth or adoption of a child(ren).  Marines properly designated as secondary caregivers are now authorized an increase from 14 days to 21 consecutive days of non-chargeable SCL, in conjunction with the Military Parental Leave Program (MPLP), after the birth or adoption of a child(ren).
3.  Effective the date of reference (a), Marines who are properly designated as secondary caregivers, per reference (b), are authorized up to 21 consecutive days of non-chargeable SCL following a birth event or qualifying adoption.
4.A.  A secondary caregiver may elect to receive less than 21 days of SCL.  SCL must be taken in one increment of continuous absence, to include weekends and holidays.  As of the date of reference (a), Marines will have their total authorized SCL extended to 21 days if they have not started SCL or are currently taking SCL.  Marines who have completed 14 days of SCL prior to the effective date of this message are not authorized an extension of their SCL.  SCL may be, but is not required to be, taken consecutively with Maternity Convalescent Leave (MCL) in conjunction with the MPLP.  Per reference (c), commanders are encouraged to approve SCL in conjunction with annual leave.  SCL cannot be transferred to create any kind of shared benefit and will be forfeited if not started within one year of the qualifying birth event or adoption or if unused at separation from active service.
4.B.  Eligibility and other limitations of SCL may be found in reference (b).
5.  The increase in SCL described in paragraph 3 of this message will be incorporated in reference (b) during its next update.
6.  Additional changes to the MPLP are expected as the Department of Defense provides guidance in accordance with NDAA FY 2022 provisions.
7.  This MARADMIN is applicable to the active component, Active Reserve, and to reserve component Marines on active duty orders for more than 365 days.
8.  Release authorized by BGen A. T. Williamson, Director, Manpower Plans and Policy Division.//