MARADMIN 129/23 - Clarification to MARADMIN 051/23

Scope

MARADMIN 129/23 clarifies MARADMIN 051/23, Expansion of the Military Parental Leave Program (MPLP). The message separates convalescent leave from parental leave for birth parents, restricts Special Leave Accrual tied to parental leave, and refines eligibility, leave timing, and reporting rules. Signed 2023-03-08. MARADMIN 191/26 later superseded this message and MARADMIN 051/23 and consolidated parental leave authority into MCO 1050.3J.

Audience

• Marines using parental leave. Apply the framework now carried in MCO 1050.3J.
• Birth parent Marines. Request convalescent leave separately from parental leave when medically recommended.
• Commanders with leave approval authority. Adjudicate convalescent leave on medical recommendation, not on parental leave eligibility.
• S-1 staff. Track leave categories and SLA eligibility.

Clarifications

• Paragraph 3. Convalescent leave gives the Marine who gave birth, and is not yet fit for duty, time to recover from a medical condition related to the birth event. It stands separate and distinct from parental leave.
• Paragraph 3. Parental leave is not a substitute for convalescent leave for a birth parent. The commander remains the convalescent leave approval authority, and commanders should not deny convalescent leave for a birth parent based solely on parental leave eligibility.
• Paragraph 4. Special Leave Accrual (SLA) specifically due to a Marine executing parental leave is not authorized. Marines still must meet the standing SLA eligibility criteria.

Connection to higher policy

• OSD and Department of the Navy parental leave expansion directives, implemented through MARADMIN 051/23.

Connection to Marine Corps doctrine

• MARADMIN 051/23. Expansion of the MPLP. The base policy this message clarifies. Effective for qualifying events on or after 2022-12-27.
• MCO 1050.3J. Regulations for Leave, Liberty, and Administrative Absence. Single authoritative source for parental leave after MARADMIN 191/26.
• MARADMIN 191/26. RCML and RCPL changes. Supersedes this message, with Reserve Component applicability, and consolidates parental leave into MCO 1050.3J effective 2026-04-23.
• IGMC Functional Area Checklist 1050. Cites paragraphs 3 and 4 of this message.

Status

Signed 2023-03-08. Originator CMC Washington DC MRA MP. Superseded by MARADMIN 191/26, which cancelled this message for the Reserve Component framework and consolidated parental leave authority into MCO 1050.3J effective 2026-04-23. Use MCO 1050.3J for current policy. The paragraph 3 and 4 clarifications remain reflected in IGMC 1050 inspection guidance.