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Question about leave for birth (longish... sry!)

AEOW13AEOW13
in Military Families

For the mamas who are more seasoned in the Military leave area...

My husband is in the Marines and will be waiting to start his MOS when Im due.  We dont know if there is a delay yet or if he will start right away (We wont know that until at least Tuesday).  I know Im supposed to call the red cross and go through them to notify and document that Im in labor.  I have heard that the military doesnt see going into labor as a reason to be granted emergency leave and depending on his instructor he may not be able to leave until the hospital has confirmed that the baby has been born, if at all.

With allll that said, have any of you ladies been through this?  I've heard the Marines have different rules and restrictions but honestly Im not sure if thats true or just one of those military rumors/stereotypes when it comes to this.  Im just looking to prepare myself for the chance of him not being there in time to be the first to see his son.  Also, my husband is a very optimistic man and honestly will say and do anything to protect me from being unhappy. According to him hell be there no matter what...

 Im more realistic and would like to prepare myself for the chance of him not being there.

Any info, insight or advice is GREATLY appreciated. TIA!!!

<3

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Re: Question about leave for birth (longish... sry!)

  • Lissa832Lissa832 member

    It really depends on his command.  DH had a Marine whose wife was in CA when she went into labor.  He was in NC.  The minute he found out she was in labor, he was granted leave. 

    DH was around when I had DS, so we were in a completely different situation.  When I went into labor though, DH called his command and he was told to stay with me, obviously.  After the baby is born, your DH should also get 10 days of "baby leave."  The morning DS was born, DH had to go into work for about an hour to file his paperwork for "baby leave" and he was done for 10 days.

    If your DH has a good command, then it will be pushed through without a problem.

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  • AEOW13AEOW13

    THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

    Seriously, Ive been dreading this process more than actual labor!! I hope my hubby has a good command.  Thank you for making me feel better!!

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  • lifestooshort128lifestooshort128
    From what I've read, president obama passed a law granting all military fathers to have 10 days paid paternity leave, however it doesn't have to be continuous (could be 3 days here, 7 days there), any weekends which they may not have to work anyways will still count, and their command can decide exactly when it will start (but they usually try to do it as soon as possible after the baby's born, only makes sense!).  Hope that helps, too!
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  • MeanMommyLadyMeanMommyLady member
    If he is in school for his MOS (which it sounds as though he will be) he will likely not be granted leave when you have the baby.  That said, he is eligible for 10 days of paternity leave (uncharged) and he has up to one year to use that leave after your child is born, which means that he can take his "baby leave" after his school is over.
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  • Marinemommyof4Marinemommyof4
    My DH wasn't deployed or doing anything extremely out of the ordinary when my daughter was born on June 18, 2008, he didn't get his leave until July 2nd. From what I would guess, odds are, if he starts his school at the same time the baby is born, he will get his leave after he completes his school.
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  • electriclucyblueelectriclucyblue
    a little note on "baby leave" if there are issues with baby the command can grant up to 30 additional days of uncharged leave.It is really intended for those with babies who are sick,need surgery,or are premature...but they gave a guy in my hubbys unit and extra week because his daughter was jaundic,we thought it was bull since the little girl was compleatly off light therapy with in her first week,but he did get it.
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  • ARMYmarriedNAVYARMYmarriedNAVY

    Prepare for the worst and hope for the best... its a good rule to live by.

    If I were you I'd get ready to go it alone, and be very happy if he can be there. When it comes to MOS training he will not be granted leave - and they will most likely not allow him to miss training. Even if he can be at the birth he will **most likely** be required to return to training the next day.

    The issue with MOS schools is they are on a very tight training schedule there are also regulations regarding how much training can be missed before the student is dropped.

    Since it is still part of his "Initial Entry Training" into the military the service will continue to be very strict on allowing any kind of absence from training.

    I am not trying to be cruel - but the reality is he may not be there for the birth. Plan to have someone else standing in (mom, sister... BF) so that you aren't going it alone **hoping** he can be there.

    Good Luck ~ I hope he CAN be at the birth.

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