Navy Implements New Paternity Leave Policy

The U.S. Navy announced the implementation of a new paternity leave policy as part of the 2009 National Defense Authorization Act. The policy officially went into effect last month.

The paternity leave policy grants 10 days of non-dischargeable leave to married fathers on active duty. Previously, sailors were required to use personal leave time if they wished to see their newborn child. Unmarried sailors do not qualify for paternity leave under the new policy.

Sailors and airmen in the Navy seem pleased with the policy, as it gives them much needed time to be with their wife and baby during those critical few days following birth.

According to Stephanie Miller, deputy director of the Navy's Task Force Life/Work, the paternity policy was pushed for many reasons, the first being that women in the Navy get 42 days of leave after delivering a baby, and adoptive parents are given 21 days. The policy also addresses that a growing number of women are delivering their babies by Caesarean section, which is a major surgery that requires more time for recovery than a conventional delivery.

But another big reason for implementing the policy was to keep the Navy competitive in recruiting and retaining new people. The Navy is committed to becoming one of the top 50 employers in the nation, and designed the policy after considering how many sailors are placing a high importance in striking a healthy balance between work and family.

Unfortunately, fathers who are deployed on ships or serving in war zones will not be able to take advantage of the paternity leave.  A father deployed overseas or in a war zone can take advantage of the paternity leave as soon as he returns to the U.S. since the leave is valid anytime during the child's first year.

According to Miller, approximately 18,000 babies are born to Navy families every year.

"We are pleased to be able to offer this highly-valued benefit," said Capt. Ken Barrett, head of Task Force Life/Work. "Addressing life/work needs for our sailors is a top priority. The ability for new dads to bond with a baby or help mom at home is important to building healthy families and is a big priority for our Navy." 

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