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Parenthood & Pregnancy

 

 

UPDATED AS OF AUGUST 15, 2023

***NEW***

Convalescent leave in conjunction with Military Parental Leave. With the release of DTM 23-001 and NAVADMIN 008/23, expanding military parental leave to 12-weeks for birth parents and non-birth parents, Maternity Convalescent Leave (MCL) that was set at 42 days and began immediately following discharge from a hospital or similar facility, or the first full day after a planned home delivery, was removed and replaced with convalescent leave. Convalescent leave requires a written recommendation by a health care provider and approval from a commander. The period of convalescent leave, under the new policy, is intended to allow the birth parent time to recover. Parental leave is separate and distinct from convalescent leave and is not a substitute for convalescent leave based on the birth parent's eligibility for 12-weeks of parental leave.

For any additional questions, please contact the below POCs:
N130: nxag_n130@navy.mil

N174B: Navy_ParenthoodandPregnancy


Non-Covered Reproductive Health Care Policies. Three messages have been released to provide Navy-specific guidance regarding Non-Covered Reproductive Health Care following the release of Office of Secretary of Defense's (OSD) memorandums announcing changes to command notification of pregnancy, and administrative absence and travel allowance for non-covered reproductive health care. 

**Command Tracking Requirements** In accordance with ALNAV 018/23 and NAVADMIN 058/23, commands are required to track and submit consolidated monthly reports utilizing the Tracking for Non-Covered Reproductive Care Template until a permanent solution is implemented at a later date. DO NOT submit any PII or HIPAA information in monthly reports. Commands are not required to submit monthly reports if no administrative absence or funded travel is authorized or executed.
 

For any additional questions, please contact N174B: Navy_ParenthoodandPregnancy


Administrative Absence or Funded Travel for Non-Covered Reproductive Health Care

ALNAV 018/23 and NAVADMIN 058/23 established policies to grant a Service member either an administrative absence to obtain non-covered reproductive health care or travel and transportation allowances to facilitate official travel to access non-covered reproductive health care that is unavailable within the local area of a Service member's permanent duty station. Non-covered reproductive health care consists of available Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and non-covered abortion as outlined in Paragraph 6 of ALNAV 018/23. Service members may need to disclose a minimum amount of health information necessary for commanders to authorize an administrative absence or funded travel.

An administrative absence of up to 21 days may be granted to active duty Service members, including Reserve Component members when on active duty orders for 30 or more consecutive days, to receive, or to accompany a dual-military spouse or a dependent who receives non-covered reproductive health care as defined in ALNAV 018/23.

Service member's eligibility, reimbursement amounts, and procedures for travel allowances to obtain non-covered reproductive health care services will be provided in The Joint Travel Regulations. This policy does not apply to travel for covered procedures, such as when a pregnancy termination is covered because the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest, or where the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term.


Commands are required to provide consolidated monthly reports utilizing the Tracking for Non-Covered Reproductive Care Template until a permanent solution is implemented at a later date. DO NOT submit any PII or HIPAA information in monthly reports. If no administrative absence or funded travel is authorized or executed, negative reports are not required.

References:

External Online Resources and Fact Sheets:

N174 Point of Contact Email: Navy_ParenthoodandPregnancy


Updated Pregnancy Notification Policy

The command notification of pregnancy policy changed in February 2023 with the release of Secretary of Defense Memorandum "Changes to Command Notification of Pregnancy Policy". ALNAV 017/23 and NAVADMIN 058/23, released in February, supersedes guidance in SECNAVINST 1000.10B and OPNAVINST 6000.1D. To provide Service members with appropriate privacy protections in the early months of pregnancy, Navy health care providers shall follow a presumption that they are not to disclose a Service member's pregnancy status to the member's command authorities prior to 20 weeks gestation unless there are special circumstances requiring earlier notification as outlined in Paragraph 4 of ALNAV 017/23. In making a disclosure pursuant to the notification standards established in ALNAV 017/23, DoD health care providers shall provide the minimum amount of information required to satisfy the purpose of the disclosure. Any DON personnel required to make mandatory notifications, such as related to domestic abuse or sexual assault, in accordance with applicable regulations, will do so without disclosing the Service member’s pregnancy status.
 

References:

External Online Resources:

N174 Point of Contact Email: Navy_ParenthoodandPregnancy


Pregnancy Availability Procedures, and Separations

PERS-454 is the central coordinator for the placement and assignment of pregnant enlisted Service members.  The function of this central coordination point is to equitably distribute pregnant enlisted Service members. Pregnant officers must notify PERS-454 and the cognizant detailer for placement. All pregnant Sailors must coordinate with PERS-454 to facilitate a PRD extension if currently on a non-operational shore command and within 12 months of their Projected Rotation Date (PRD)

Pregnant Service members may request separation due to pregnancy after obtaining a certification of pregnancy from a physician assigned to a military treatment facility. The Navy does not generally consider pregnancy on active duty or reserve an impediment for continued service. Therefore, a request will normally be denied, unless it is determined to be in the best interest of the Navy, or if the member demonstrates compelling factors of personal need as outlined in MILPERSMAN 1910-112.
 

References & FAQs

PERS-454 Point of Contact for Pregnancy Placement
Email: PREGAVAIL-TLD@NAVY.MIL
Commercial: (901) 874-3867, ext. 1


Leave

Sailors and their family members are an integral part of our Navy Force, and parental leave policies provide needed time for our Navy families to bond. In most cases, Sailors who experience qualifying events, like birth and adoption, will be authorized 12 weeks of parental leave to care for their newborn, adopted or placed child or children. OPNAV N130C is the central policy office that can provide clarification of policy, provide policy determinations, and assist with general inquiries relating to parental leave policies.

References

N130C Point of Contact for Parental Leave Policies
Email: NXAG_N130C@NAVY.MIL


Uniforms

Per OPNAVINST 6000.1D, maternity uniforms are mandatory for pregnant Sailors when regular uniforms no longer fit properly.  Enlisted Sailors can receive a maternity uniform clothing allowance upon presenting a NAVPERS 1336/3 Special Request Chit and pregnancy notification to their personnel support detachment through their command pay and personnel administrative support system coordinator. OPNAV N13X (Uniform Matters Office) is the central policy office that maintains and interprets the Navy Uniform Regulations, and monitors implementation of uniform policies.

OPNAV N13X (UMO), in conjunction with the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) launched the Maternity Uniform Pilot Program (MPP) to issue maternity uniforms to a select number of eligible Sailors on a temporary basis and at no cost to the Sailor. This program can be utilized by all Sailors, regardless of rank, who have not received nor intend to receive a maternity clothing allowance during the period of pregnancy and while participating in the MPP program.
References & FAQs

N13X UMO Point of Contact for Uniform and MPP Policies
Email: umo_cmc@navy.mil


Physical Readiness

Pregnancy or postpartum Sailors are exempt from participating in the PFA, to include BCA and PRT, from the time a pregnancy is confirmed by a Health Care Provider until the end of 12 months following the qualified birth event. Physical Readiness Program Guide 8 details how to manage PFA Records for pregnant and postpartum Sailors.

The U.S. Navy Pregnancy and Postpartum Physical Training & Nutrition Guidebook provides physical training and nutrition guidance for pregnant and postpartum Servicewomen. Physical activity and good nutrition are integral to maintaining your overall health and fitness, and equally contribute to a healthy lifestyle.

OPNAV N171 is the central policy office that establishes Navy physical readiness standards, policy, and requirements for the Navy’s Physical Readiness Program (PRP).

References & FAQs

N171 Points of Contact for Physical Readiness Program (PRP) Instructions or PRIMS
PRP Email:  PRP@navy.mil
PRIMS email:  PRIMS@navy.mil
Commercial: (901) 874-2210 
DSN: 882-2210


Breastfeeding & Lactation Information

The Navy continues to encourage and support accommodations to best meet the needs of our nursing Sailors and their infants.  Sailors who desire to pump breast milk upon return to duty must be, at a minimum, afforded the availability of a clean, secluded space with ready access to a water source. Commands must ensure Sailors who are breastfeeding are afforded access to cool storage for expressed breast milk.

References & FAQs

For additional information regarding breastfeeding and lactation for Sailors and commands, please visit the Command Advisor on Parenthood & Pregnancy page.


Command Advisor on Parenthood and Pregnancy (CAPP) Program

While not mandatory, Commanding Officers are strongly encouraged to designate a Command Advisor on Parenthood & Pregnancy (CAPP) to act as a resource for the command and its Sailors.

The primary responsibilities of the CAPP are to serve as an advisor to the command triad on all things P&P related and ensure Sailors receive the proper counseling and guidance to understand their responsibilities, rights, and resources afforded to them as parents in the Navy. This program aims to help Sailors better balance the demands of a naval career, and family plans and obligations. 


Navy Pregnancy & Parenthood (P&P) Mobile Application

The Navy P&P mobile application is a resource for all Naval personnel to understand the various roles and responsibilities during these milestone events in Sailors' lives. The intent is to provide commands and Sailors with the  regulations, instructions, and resources, in an all-in-one, easy-to-use mobile app. The Navy P&P mobile application is available via Apple iTunes (iOS) or Google Play for Android.

OPNAV N174B, the Office of Women's Policy, is responsible for the continued development, and deployment of the Navy P&P application. We are committed to ensuring this application supports and meets the needs of Navy leaders and Sailors. Please utilize the below distro for any feedback, suggestions, questions, or issues related to the application. 

Email: Office of Women's Policy


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