Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Navy considering expanding paternity leave

NavyChief

Audrey McAvoy / Associated Press

Navy Adm. John Richardson speaks to sailors Tuesday in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

The Navy's top officer says the service is considering extending paternity leave for new fathers.

The Navy currently awards married fathers up to 10 days of paid leave upon the birth of a child. In July, the Navy tripled paid maternity leave for female sailors and Marines to 18 weeks.

A female sailor asked Navy Adm. John Richardson during a meeting with service members at Pearl Harbor on Tuesday whether the Navy might increase paternity leave as well.

Richardson says it's something officials in Washington are now discussing. He says many say the Navy should offer about three weeks to 30 days of paternity leave.

Several hundred sailors attended the "all hands call" meeting during Richardson's first trip to Hawaii since he became chief of naval operations last month.

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