CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- A new order was released that grants a total of 126 days of convalescent leave to new mothers in the Marine Corps is now in effect.
Marine Corps Administrative Message 421/15, which went into effect on August 26, states that all Marines who have had a child since January 1, 2015 and all future mothers within the Marine Corps are entitled to 84 days of leave in addition to the 42 days of convalescent leave that immediately follows release from the medical facility. These additional leave days are known as Additional Maternity Leave (AML).
“A new mother being able to spend time with their newborn in those crucial early stages of development is really beneficial,” said Bill Durdin, a Family Readiness Coordinator with 1st Marine Division.
Marines have 365 days from the date of their child’s birth to use their maternity leave. If another child is born, the AML will reset to 126 days.
“It’s especially useful for all those couples who are also married to a Marine,” said Durdin. “The last thing a Marine in the field or forward deployed needs is to be thinking about whether their wife and child have time to create that special bond. These additional days allow for those Marines to have a sense of comfort so they can turn all of their attention to the tasks at hand.”
The order states use of the AML will not change the time in which a Marine must pass a physical fitness or combat fitness test after giving birth.
Marine Online has not been updated yet to keep track of maternity leave so it will be up to the individual commands to ensure their Marines do not receive more than the 126 days.
“I believe these additional leave days will allow for better relationships within a family, better development of the children and better troop readiness throughout the Marine Corps.” said Durdin.