Service members should soon see a change to the Military Parental Leave Program, as indicated in the FY2026 NDAA that passed in December 2025.

The current program allows Service members to receive 12 weeks of nonchargeable leave during a one-year period beginning on the date of birth or adoption of a child. Eligible Soldiers will soon be authorized to take Active Duty Parental Leave (ADPL) up to two years after the birth or adoption of a child, if, during the first year following the event, they:

1. Participate in a deployment or military exercise for at least 90 consecutive days
2. Attend an in-residence professional military education and training course for at least 90 consecutive days
3. Execute PCS orders with TDY enroute to a new permanent duty station of at least 90 consecutive days that would interfere with taking ADPL within the 1-year period.
4. Execute routine TDY away from the permanent duty station for at least 90 days
5. Experience hospitalization or are in an in-patient status for at least 90 consecutive days

The Secretary of a Military Department or the Commandant of the USCG may on a case-by-case basis approve extenuating circumstances that exceed 90 consecutive days during the applicable one-year period.

For more details, reference DoDI 1327.06.