Air Force considering longer maternity leave

2015-07-09T12:29:18-04:00

http://www.airforcetimes.com/story/military/2015/07/08/air-force-considering-longer-maternity-leave/29869643/?from=global&sessionKey=&autologin=

The Air Force is considering lengthening paid maternity leave, following the lead of the Navy, which tripled the benefit to 18 weeks.

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 12:34 PM

2015-07-09T12:34:18-04:00

The Navy has already made longer maternity leave policy, up to 126days can be taken in the first year after birth.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 12:51 PM

2015-07-09T12:51:06-04:00

My grandmother always told me if I have nothing nice to say about a topic I should not say anything.....so...........moving on.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Jul 9 at 2015 1:11 PM

2015-07-09T13:11:29-04:00

I don't think this is a bad thing....however..... If I understand and remember correctly, with the current 42 days of Maternity leave, there is also 14 days of Paternity leave available for the father. To be fair, if expanding the maternity leave x3, I think that the Paternity leave for dad should also be expanded 2-3x. I feel this is warranted because the addition of an infant into a family results in huge change to the family dynamics. I doubt this will be looked at/considered tho....

Response by MSgt Chris Adams made Jul 9 at 2015 9:00 PM

2015-07-09T21:00:50-04:00

When my wife had our twins...it really would have been nice if she had a little more time to get closer to being in reg. Not sure what the magic number is but it would have been nice.

Her unit didn't even say hello to her when she came off of leave, just walked her into the scale and failed her. She had multiple issues with the pregnancy, besides them being full term twins. Not all but some pregnancies probably require greater considerations for off time.

Response by SMSgt Judy Hickman made Jul 10 at 2015 11:52 PM

2015-07-10T23:52:55-04:00

I've had three kids while in the military...I can hear you all counting the free days off I go now lol. Anyways my husband was also military and I found it difficult in Delaware, North Dakota and Texas to get my child in to the CDC by the 6 week point. Most daycares that had openings would take the baby until they were 2 mos old. I feel 18 weeks is very generous, but other countries give much more time off. After 8 weeks at home, I ready to come to work just to be around people again. I guess we will see what happens.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2015 12:10 PM

2015-07-12T12:10:51-04:00

Here's a scenario that I think you'll see play out more than once: Amn Snuffy arrives from basic training and tech school and will be in upgrade training for a year (non-deployable in ideal conditions). She decides to have 2 children during her 4 year enlistment. You've now got a troop that spent most, if not all, of her first term (and more than 50% of the time [similar to males] - only commit to one enlistment) in a non-deployable status due to the deferment being extended to 1 year for each of the 2 children in this scenario. Not only that, she'll receive 36 weeks time off (yes, over 8 months) with full pay and benefits out of 4 year commitment and accumulate 4 months of regular leave over the course of said enlistment. All the while, she'll earn the GI Bill (among other benefits as a veteran). The US government also paid for the delivery and pediatric care. Hands down, this is the best package any young woman looking to have children could use - with little to no danger of acquiring an injury/illness/death while serving overseas.

9-10 months during the pregnancy + 12 months postpartum = 21-22 months of deployment deferment status per child and 4+ months of time off with full pay per child. How the DOD (and higher) doesn't see how this will create resentment towards mothers within the ranks, I don't know...

Also, once maternity leave is expanded to 18 weeks, will the CDCs stop accepting 6 week old children? Will the USAF revoke the 18 weeks mandate if the mother decides to pass on child care to someone else (assuming she decides to take all of it at once)?

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 14 at 2015 4:48 PM

2015-07-14T16:48:21-04:00

I remember from basic. If the government wanted you to have whatever they would issue it to you. Enough of this pollitically correct nonsense.

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Jul 27 at 2015 10:19 AM

2015-07-27T10:19:34-04:00

Back in the earlier years of women in the military, most were given the option to separate. There was no such thing as a military maternity uniform. Imagine trying to lead as an officer in a cute little pink dress with Peter Pan collars and a bow. During my pregnancy with my second child, maternity uniforms were available; the powers that be recognized that not all of us were going to go away and the first female academy grads were hitting the bases. Those were assets they wanted to keep. And keep working. Leave following the birth of my second child was 4 weeks. Barely time to begin any bonding or for my body to heal; he was a preemie and we had complications. If I wanted to continue my career, the requirement was to show back up in uniform after 4 weeks or face disciplinary action and probable discharge. I showed up. I think had I had the "luxury" of longer paid maternity leave, it would have made a world of difference in the health of my infant. I was mentally ready to get back in the game, but it takes about 10 months of body changes to first give birth and then there are breast feeding, bonding, and recovery and a million other things that could not have and did not cross one's mind like having no sleep for days, weeks, months. Good training for deployment. Not good for the body, safety and proficiency. The blessing I had was I was in a unit that I was able to go home every night and get no sleep but lives weren't immediately on the line.

Response by Sgt Sherry Taylor-Bruce made Dec 11 at 2015 11:53 PM

2015-12-11T23:53:24-05:00

I was active duty in the eighties, the month before I had my first child the AF dropped the maternity leave to 4 weeks. I believe 6 weeks is enough normally. However on a case by case basis a doctor could authorized additional time. I don't think it's unfair to expect additional time off to be made up and added to ones enlistment. Paturnity leave should be granted to Fathers that actually help with the babies.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Dec 15 at 2015 2:33 PM

2015-12-15T14:33:30-05:00

And at the same time women are being accepted into combat arms.....what could go wrong?

Response by Maj Harris Heslip made Dec 15 at 2015 2:35 PM

2015-12-15T14:35:20-05:00

As I browse through the comments. there were a lot of good points made. personally I agree with extending the maternity leave. Walking around with someone inside you for 9 months and then having to do sit ups and get in shape all over again. We also must remember our mothers are doing a sevice we cant do. They provide the future leaders and protectors of our great nation, so they should be extended this option. I believe it will make for a better total force when it's all said and done.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Dec 17 at 2015 3:49 PM

2015-12-17T15:49:35-05:00

There are several things to discuss. First, what is a mother to do with a 4-6 week old child? CDC's and daycares usually won't take them until they are at least two months old. Second--Having a child is a traumatic event on the body...one that I am glad to not have to experience. Asking a female to come back to full up duty after 4-6 weeks and be prepared to execute full up PT is ludacris when her body was turned upside down for 9 months. Now if they give them 16-18 weeks then during that time they need to be working to get back to an acceptable PT level. Just don't view it as time to sit at home all day with the child and do nothing towards fitness to return to dutyand getting your body back to normal healthy levels. Third--a mother bonding with the child is vital...mind will not be on the mission if that does not occur in my mind...4 weeks just isn't enough. I agree with the paternity leave for the father to help out and to bond, but it shouldn't be extended past current standards.