Should paternity leave be automatically granted?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 10:37:46 -0400

I have a buddy who is in a non-combat Zone and his wife is 7 months pregnant with their first child. The Army loves to put an emphasis on family and how important it is, but I'm being told that there is a very strong possibility that he will not be granted paternity leave to come home for the birth. Should soldiers be automatically granted paternity leave unless in a combat zone?

Response by SPC David Willis made Mar 30 at 2018 10:41 AM

SPC David Willis — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 10:41:26 -0400

Yes, short of being deployed or currently involved in an investigation. It needs to be approved. If this guy doesn't get it approved in 2 years a retention NCO will be scratching his head wondering why he wont reenlist...

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 30 at 2018 11:33 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 11:33:31 -0400

"Automatically" is not the correct word to use.

I understand where you are coming from, but let's adjust some verbiage.

Let's try this out:

"Should every effort be made to grant (paternity) leave barring mission needs?"

Sounds like current policy, when you look at it, right? Especially since Annual Leave is a Legal Right*. It is accrued, and the Service member is allowed to use it, at their Commander's Discretion (he has VERY wide latitude as to what those Mission Requirements are).

That said, let's use the Marine Corps' Fundamentals of Leadership "Mission Accomplishment & Troop Welfare"

Will the Troop's absence (Leave) negatively impact (prevent) the accomplishment of the mission? If not, grant the Leave. Our default answer as leaders should lean towards "allow" instead of "disallow," unless we have logical reason otherwise.

*http://www.forthoodsentinel.com/news/military-leave-it-s-a-right-not-a-privilege-granted/article_aaa7cfad-dd88-55d5-8bf2-f491019ba6d3.html

Military leave: It’s a right, not a privilege, granted by Congress under federal law

One of the frequent questions and issues Soldiers and Family members ask the III Corps Inpector General is about leave, particularly about emergency and convalescent leave.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 30 at 2018 12:40 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 12:40:38 -0400

Yes, if it is "convenient". Sadly, family, although still important, may suffer. Remember the old adage, "They also serve who stand and wait"

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2018 12:54 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 12:54:56 -0400

Leave is never automatically granted because the mission comes first, it's up to the commander to determine if the mission can be met without the SM. It's not what anyone wants to hear, but that's the way it is. What does need to happen, paternity leave needs to be put in the AR, not using a MILPER from 2014 or 15.

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Mar 30 at 2018 4:05 PM

SSgt Dan Montague — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 16:05:30 -0400

If you are asking about regulation, then no. He can get time when he gets back.
If you are asking should the regulation change, yes I think it should. If it is possible to leave someone behind on a deployment because the baby will deliver while they are gone, then do so.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Mar 30 at 2018 4:58 PM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 16:58:03 -0400

Paternity leave should be granted for every instance of ATTEMPTING fatherhood...

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Mar 30 at 2018 5:48 PM

SFC Christopher Taggart — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 17:48:56 -0400

If he was at "the scene of the crime", unless he's deployed, why not, he's the father of the child.

Response by SGT Aric Lier made Mar 30 at 2018 6:05 PM

SGT Aric Lier — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 18:05:47 -0400

no, 90% realize its not his kid.

Response by SGT Sheri Lattimer made Dec 17 at 2021 11:54 AM

SGT Sheri Lattimer — Fri, 17 Dec 2021 11:54:53 -0500

I gotta laugh a bit here. When I was an active duty Marine (1985-89) MATERNITY leave wasn't automatic. Once discharged from the hospital, my CO still had to sign off on it. I think it's great they're allowing for paternity leave though.