On July 2, 2015, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced that women who serve in the Navy and marine Corps will have 18 weeks of maternity leave available to use during the first year of her child's life. The U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Coast Guard have not followed in updating their maternity policies.
Increasing the time following birth of a child has very tangible benefits on the physical and psychological well being of both child and mother.
Extended maternity leave will allow mothers to return to duty healthier and less distracted increasing productivity and safety. Given the extended periods of deployment, high levels of stress, and on the job dangers faced by all members of the Armed Forces, extending the maternity leave to every woman serving should be without question.