Military Maternity Leave

Army Policy Under Scrutiny

The Army’s maternity policy of granting new mothers a four month deferment from deployment to a war zone has come under fire after an article in the February 18, 2008, edition of the Washington Post. According to the article, Army deployments typically run 15 months long, making it difficult for new families to bond. The article goes on to state that “nearly 40 percent of women on active duty have children.”

This news report has led for a call to military leaders to change the Army policy. United States Senator Claire McCaskill has appealed to Secretary Robert Gates to create a unified policy amongst the four branches that will put the needs of the family first. A bipartisan coalition of concerned senators has been formed, which also includes Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson.

In a press release issued February 27, Nelson addressed the issue, saying “Many mothers-to-be have to face the difficult decision of leaving their career in the military or leaving their newborn infant.”

More information regarding the Army and their policies on women’s health issues and maternity benefits can be found at the following websites:

• A Guide to Female Soldier Readiness
• Pregnancy/Postpartum Physical Training (PPPT) Program
• Military Baby.com’s U.S. Army Active Duty Pregnancy Information

Other Military Maternity Leave Policy

The other three branches of the United States military include the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. Although the Department of Defense oversees all four of the branches, each has its own policies and procedures regarding handling women’s issues like pregnancy, maternity leave, and breastfeeding.

To ensure that your military maternity leave is granted and that you are given adequate care, you should speak with your military medical doctor about family planning. He or she can also help direct you to the proper sources once you become pregnant. If you want to prevent an unplanned pregnancy, speak with your doctor about acceptable birth control methods.

Due to the potential hazards pregnant women may face while on duty, a woman’s duties and physical demands might be restricted. This, of course, may vary on a case-by-case basis and be dependent upon the mom-to-be's training and position.

Navy Pregnancy and Maternity Information

ArmyTimes reports that the Navy provides a 12-month long deferment from being deployed after giving birth. Deployments are typically six months.

Resources and policies can be found at:

• Department of the Navy Policy on Parenthood and Pregnancy
• Navy Guidelines Concerning Pregnancy and Parenthood
• Navy Personnel Command Office of Women’s Policy

Marine Corps Pregnancy and Maternity Information

The Marine Corps offers a six-month deferment from deployments, which typically last around six or seven months at a time. Additional resources for the Marine Corps include:

• Marine Corps Policy Concerning Pregnancy and Parenthood
• U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Active Duty Pregnancy Information

Air Force Pregnancy and Maternity Information

Although the Air Force maternity leave policy is similar to the Army’s (only a four-month exemption), the deployment period is usually much shorter at four to six months, according to the Washington Post article.

More Air Force pregnancy and maternity leave information can be found at:

• First Trimester Health Care in the Air Force
• U.S. Air Force Active Duty Pregnancy Information

Military Pregnancy and Family Resources

The Department of Defense and the military branches are dedicated to women’s health issues and creating a positive family environment. Several initiatives have been developed to help meet the needs of families and women in the military. Learn more about various pregnancy, family programs, and military maternity leave policies by visiting these resources:

• NATO Question and Answers: Scroll down to read the answers to questions regarding the various U.S. Military branches and their maternity leave policies.
• Armed Forces Instructions and Orders from Operational Obstetrics & Gynecology: Links to Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Department of Defense, and Coast Guard policies on women’s health, pregnancy, and post-partum issues.
• Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses Armed Forces Section: Information, education, and resources from nurses aimed at members and pregnant women in the military.
• New Parent Support Program: A program to support military families with young children.
• Department of Defense Adoption Reimbursement Policy: Information for families in the military who want to adopt.
• Department of Defense Family Policy Directive: Family policy information from the Department of Defense.