U.S. Marine Corps
Parental Leave & Lactation Policies
Printable FAQ Info Sheets
Family Care Plan
Applicable to all service branches.
Family Care Plan requirements:
Servicemembers who give birth to or adopt a child are granted a four-month deferment from duty away from home station.
DODI 1342.19
Pregnancy Discrimination
DOD Military Equal Opportunity (MEO)Program
The DOD, through the DOD MEO Program, will:
(1) Ensure that Service members are treated with dignity and respect and are afforded equal opportunity in an environment free from prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, or sexual orientation.
Parental Leave
Maternity Convalescent Leave (MCL): 42 days
Primary Caregiver Leave (PCL): 42 days automatically assigned to birthparent following MCL, unless Marine requests Secondary Caregiver Leave.
Secondary Caregiver Leave: 14 days
Non-birth parent may be designated PCL if justified to command, such as in cases where birth parent is unable to care for the newborn. Specifies that convalescent leave will be given in cases of stillbirth/miscarriage.
Military Parental Leave Program
Establishes and defines three types of parental leave: Maternity Convalescent Leave, Primary Caregiver Leave, Secondary Caregiver Leave.
Breastfeeding
Marines should work with their commanders to determine pump breaks based on the needs of the parent, child, and workspace. Lactation space with access to safe water and a locking door must be available and may not be a restroom. Breastmilk may be stored in communal refrigerators. Lactating Marines are exempt from potential hazardous material (HAZMAT) exposure duties for 12 months postpartum. Breastfeeding policies must prohibit discrimination and harassment of breastfeeding Marines.
Postpartum
Marines are deferred from deployment for six months postpartum, but may request to deploy earlier.
Marines are deferred from physical fitness and body composition standards for 12 months postpartum.
Breastfeeding in Uniform
Maternity Uniform Chart
Summary of existing allowances for maternity uniforms (not all uniform pieces will be available in all locations)
Uniform Nursing & Maternity Shirts
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