U.S. Navy

Applicable to all service branches.

Family Care Plan requirements:
Servicemembers who give birth to or adopt a child are granted a four-month deferment from duty away from home station.
DODI 1342.19

DOD Military Equal Opportunity (MEO)Program

The DOD, through the DOD MEO Program, will:
(1) Ensure that Service members are treated with dignity and respect and are afforded equal opportunity in an environment free from prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, or sexual orientation.

DODI 1350.02

Maternity Convalescent Leave: 42 days

Primary Caregiver Leave: 42 days

Secondary Caregiver Leave: 14 days

Excludes birthparents who do not retain custody of their children, but does allow for regular convalescent leave.

Requires deferment of PCL/SCL for service members who are deployed or within 3 months of deployment.

NAVADMIN 151/18

Commanders are required to develop a command breastfeeding policy, provide a private clean room, not a restroom, with access to running water and refrigeration for storage of breastmilk. Requests to breastfeed infants during duty hours to be handled on a case-by-case basis.

OPNAVINST 6000.1D

Sailors are authorized to wear long- or short-sleeved breastfeeding t-shirts with Service Uniform, Navy Working Uniform (NWU Type) I, II, and III, and Flight Suits. 

NAVADMIN 075/19

Each Command must have a policy for supporting breastfeeding by Service Members as directed in BUMEDINST 6000.14A as a normal and healthy behavior. Because breastmilk is never treated as a biohazard, the need to store breastmilk with medical supplies is not required; although this may be considered as the first option in storing breast milk for a Service Member. When refrigerated units in a medical storage area are unavailable, their breastmilk may be stored in food service refrigerated units and/or spaces.

NAVSUP P-486 Vol I Revision p. 5-51, 5-52

Comprehensive guidance for Naval MTFs on providing workplace lactation support for all U.S. personnel, including HAZMAT exposures, providing designated lactation spaces, and working with child development centers in all Naval workspaces. 

BUMEDINST 6000.14B

Servicemembers are non deployable from 20th week of pregnancy through 12 months postpartum, to include any assignment that separates the birth parent from the infant for more than a normal workday. 

OPNAVINST 6000.1D