USD (P&R) Parental Leave Policy 4 January 2023

Directive-type Memorandum 23-001, "Expansion of the Military Parental Leave Program," January 4, 2023 (whs.mil)

DTM 23-001 was published this morning. I believe we are still awaiting DAF guidance to immediately follow.

-Only effects birth/adoptions/foster care on or after 27 December 2022. **edit at bottom may point towards being retroactive

-The 12 weeks may be broken up into increments with no fewer than 7 days for a maximum of 12 increments.

-Deployed members may defer parental leave past the 1 year mark.

-Members may extend past the 1-year mark if the member is essentially TDY or indisposed for 90 days or more (more details on page 8, section 6.a)

Edit: Section 10 states:10. TRANSITIONING OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CAREGIVERS TO THE EXPANDED MPLP.

a. Parental leave authorized by this DTM also applies to members who have unused caregiver leave or maternity convalescent leave by December 27, 2022, if such unused leave was authorized by the March 23, 2018 USD(P&R) Memorandum. In such cases, the member is authorized a total of 12 weeks of parental leave as described in Paragraph 2 of this attachment, but the member’s unit commander must approve the taking of this parental leave pursuant to Paragraph 3 of this attachment. All provisions in this DTM apply to such members.

b. Any used caregiver leave of a member when combined with the parental leave authorized by this DTM must not exceed a total of 12 weeks. A birth parent who is in a maternity convalescent status as of December 27, 2022, is authorized to continue in such a status until the birth parent completes the approved period of maternity convalescent leave. Any maternity convalescent leave granted to a birth parent by December 27, 2022 is assumed to meet the requirements for convalescent leave authorized in this issuance.

c. Such leave that remains unused within 1 year of the qualifying event will be forfeited unless Paragraph 6 of this attachment applies.