ACN 062/18 - JUN 2018 CH-7 TO MILITARY ASSIGNMENTS AND AUTHORIZED ABSENCES - PARENTAL LEAVE

ALCOAST COMMANDANT NOTICE      CANCEL DATE 21 JUN 2019

R 221157 JUN 18
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-13//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N01000//
ACN 062/18
SUBJ: CH-7 TO MILITARY ASSIGNMENTS AND AUTHORIZED ABSENCES - PARENTAL LEAVE
A. National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2017
B. 10 USC 701
C. Military Assignments and Authorized Absences, COMDTINST M1000.8A
D. Leave and Liberty Policy and Procedures, DoDI 1327.6 (series)
1. The 2017 NDAA (REF (A)) expanded the entitlements for non-chargeable leave for military
members in connection with a qualifying birth event or adoption. It eliminates disparities
in entitlements between military families that adopt versus give birth. It replaces
non-chargeable leave terms such as: “maternity”, “paternity”, and “adoption” with
“Maternity Convalescent Leave”, “Primary Caregiver Leave”, and “Secondary Caregiver Leave.”
REFs (B) and (C) were updated by the most recent NDAA (REF (A)), removing spousal/paternity
(10 days) and adoption leave (21 days) and replaced with Primary (42 days) and Secondary
(21 days) Caregiver Leave while specifically speaking to Maternity Convalescent Leave
(42 days), which was never in law before.
2. All caregiver leave must be used within one year of the birth/adoption date or the
balance will be forfeited. All members are still subject to the 60 days of regular leave
per fiscal year limitation in REF (B). No waivers will be given to extend past the one year
limitation, nor to allow members to keep more than 60 days of chargeable leave each October
unless Secondary Caregiver Leave for qualifying birth event or adoption occurred on or after
December 23, 2016 through (the date of this ACN). Maternity Convalescent Leave cannot be
retroactively received. For members not explicitly covered under this ACN, COMDT (CG-1331)
may render eligibility determinations. Requests must be submitted with CO/OIC’s endorsement
to: HQS-PolicyandStandards@uscg.mil.
   a. All retroactive parental leave is only for the difference in the leave entitled and
already taken, not for the full amount. Example: A member who has already taken 10 days
because their spouse gave birth and is now a Secondary Caregiver will receive 11 additional
consecutive days of retroactive Secondary Caregiver Leave, to total 21 days.
   b. All retroactive leave must be used in one consecutive block and within 18 months of
the qualifying birth event and/or adoptions up through March 22, 2018 in accordance with
REF (D).
   c. All retroactive leave must be used in one consecutive block and within 12 months of
the qualifying birth event and/or adoptions that occurred from March 23, 2018 through
(date of this ACN), in accordance with REF (D).
   d. Regular leave previously taken in conjunction with a birth event or adoption can be
converted to non-chargeable Primary and Secondary Caregiver Leave, for covered Service
members who are retroactively approved as Primary or Secondary Caregiver.
4. New non-chargeable leave categories in Direct Access (DA) are being developed for a
future update. Continue using Maternity/Spousal Leave in DA until categories are developed.
Once functionality is updated in DA, PPC will publish procedures guides on their website.
5. No paper distribution will be made of REF (C), but are available on CGPortal at:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/library/SitePages/Home.aspx, and on the internet at:
http://www.dcms.uscg.mil/directives.
6. For general policy questions or concerns regarding this policy, contact CWO2 Sims,
COMDT (CG-1331) at HQS-PolicyandStandards@uscg.mil.
7. Released by RDML M. W. Sibley, Acting Director of Reserve and Military Personnel.
8. Internet release authorized.