Paternity Leave
The FY 2009 Defense Authorization Act established a new program which allows up to ten days of non-chargeable leave for new fathers. The act leaves it up to the individual services to develop plans to implement the new benefit. The Marine Corps has announced the following policies regarding paternity leave:
Under the Marine program, commanders shall authorized 10 consecutive days of non-chargeable leave, in the form of Permissive Temporary Additional Duty (PTAD) for a married male Marine when his spouse gives birth.
The timing of PTAD will be granted at the commander's discretion depending on the unit's mission and specific operational circumstances. However, commanders will ensure, absent any immediate or future operational requirements, that PTAD is taken and completed within 25 days after the child's birth. Additionally, it will be taken before any other leave (regular leave, reenlistment leave, combat leave, post deployment mobilization respite absence, etc.).
In instances where Marines are deployed, or scheduled to deploy prior to the birth, or immediately following the birth, commanders have the discretion to postpone PTAD. Marines unable to take PTAD as stated above will execute their PTAD within 90 days from the date of return from deployment. Commanders retain the discretion to authorize PTAD outside the 90 day window (post-deployment) based on exigent circumstances.
If appropriate medical facilities are not available for delivery, then PTAD may be authorized for the male Marine to accompany his spouse prior to and immediately following delivery. This authorization may be extended to unmarried male Marines in circumstances such as, but not limited to, when the unmarried male Marine has sole custody of the baby.
Adoption Leave
Commanders may authorize up to 21 days PTAD for any Marine adopting a child, or one parent of a dual military couple. The number of days granted will be at the discretion of the commander, but no less than 10 days, and no more than 21 days.
Due to the complex and rigorous process of adopting a child, commanders should allow Marines the greatest latitude possible while also taking into consideration associated risks related to mission accomplishment. PTAD will not be granted to adoptions where the child being adopted currently resides with the adopting parent or parents.
The PTAD period should commence when the child is ready for placement in order to assist the parent(s) in relocating the adoptive child, formalizing legal requirements, establishing a child care program, and other tasks required. However, Marines may take PTAD intermittently when the child is ready for placement. For example, a Marine may request to take 3 days PTAD to finalize legal documents and then return to duty. Later, use 5 more days to establish child care, then return to duty, and finally take 13 days (totaling 21) to physically take custody and relocate the child to the home.
For complete details, see Marine Corps Administrative Message 0076/09.
