[jaymo]

Hi,
Does anyone out there know anything ie: websites,links ets, about the adoption leave? It was passed this year -- is part of the fiscal yr 2006 National Defense AUthorization. Husband is in the Navy and we are, obviously, adopting ..... we know that the Army has passed it into effect. I was under the impression that once it passed, it passed for all branches. Apparently, I was wrong?!?!?! Any suggestions, info or anything are greatly appreciated!
Maura.

[devildogwife]

Originally Posted by jaymo

Hi,
Does anyone out there know anything ie: websites,links ets, about the adoption leave? It was passed this year -- is part of the fiscal yr 2006 National Defense AUthorization. Husband is in the Navy and we are, obviously, adopting ..... we know that the Army has passed it into effect. I was under the impression that once it passed, it passed for all branches. Apparently, I was wrong?!?!?! Any suggestions, info or anything are greatly appreciated!
Maura.

I was under the impression that even though that was passed this year, it has to then be passed by each individual branch. I read that only the air force had passed it, not the Marine Corps, navy or army.

[Aleea]

I googled it and it doesn't say whether it passed. Does anyone have the link?
Thanks

[usmcfamily2005]

I do know that all branches of the military are supposed to give fathers (whether adoptive or biological) 10 days leave when their babies are born. This will go against your leave balance though.

However, talk to your individual units. Some units will put the active duty member on PTAD for the amount of time it is required to go to another state and pick up your baby. This means you do not use up your leave, but it varies with units.

I know that in our situation, my husband is in the Marine Corps. He was granted 30 days PTAD to go get our daughter. That worked out wonderfully, since we ended up being in CA for almost 7 weeks. They even extended his PTAD an extra week, after that he had to take leave though. But considering the amount of time he had off, he only took a little over 2 weeks of leave.

Again, it is up to each individual's unit. It doesn't hurt to ask.

GOOD LUCK!!

[rose32542]

Mu husband is the EXPERT on this! He is Air Force and heard about it somewhere. He sure went to work, emailing anyone under the sun. Most people didn't even know if it was being given yet, and he ended up being referred higher and higher up the chain. Finally, he was put in contact with the pentagon (sorry guys, I don't know tha acronyms of the offices he was referred to), and YES, every miltary member who adopts is entitled to 21 days of l NONCHARGABLE leave!! If anyone needs more info, I can have my husband forward you the emails he received with the exact info. I just want to make sure that everyone knows this, because most people, even those in charge, don't.

[navy_wife_martin]

if this applies to all branches I'd LOVE the info. We were just having this discussion the other day. B/c our placement will more than likely come RIGHT before he goes out to sea and we didn't know if they'd allow him to fly to the ship just like a biological dad.

[rose32542]

This is rose32542's husband typing: The adoption leave is a DoD policy and the problem might be that the Navy hasn't implemented it yet. It was signed into law in January of this year by President Bush.
Other information:
A qualifying adoption is defined as the member being eligible for adoption reimbursement of qualified adoption expenses such as adoption, placement, legal and medical fees under Section 1052, Title 10 United State s Code. Adoption leave may be authorized in conjunction with ordinary leave. DODI (Dept of Defense Instruction) 1341.9 authorizes reimburesment of adoption expenses. I called the office of Military and Family Policy @ 703-697-7220. This may be an Air Force number but they should be able to steer you in the right direction. I ultimately was in contact with O-6's at the Pentagon (which freaked out my boss when the Pentagon would call asking for me.) OPNAV 1754.4 is the Navy regulation for the reimbursement of adoption expenses.

I have all the information at work and will get it to you ASAP. If you would like, you can send us a 'pm' with your private e-mail or work e-mail and I would be happy to send you the information. I'd even be happy to put it all on a cd and overnight it to you. At the time I was investigating the Adoption leave policy, the Air Force hadn't yet implemented it, but the bottom line is that it is now Federal Law and as such it's an entitlement. Our command doesn't have a choice. I'll do everything to help you out, just get back with us and we'll work it all out. Try looking on the following web site, www.militaryonesource.com. It's packed full of tons of info about everything. It's not specific to any one branch of service. They have lot's of stuff for familiy members. *If there isn't the answer you're looking for, you should be able to e-mail someone directly and they are pretty good about getting back quickly. Anyway, I'll still get you the info I have, just 'pm' us and let us know how to get it to you. If your husband has a work e-mail, then we can correspond that way. Whatever will help your family out the best and quickest is what we'll do. Take care.

[rose32542]

Info on H.R. 1815 the National Defense Authorization Act for Fioscal Year 2006 :
President's Statement on H.R. 1815, the "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006" http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/relea...060106-12.html.

[Michellemomof5]

Our adoption placement took place when my husband was deployed. Because he was stateside at the time he was allowed to meet me in Texas to pick up our daughter. The adoption will be finalized this month, and will take place via the telephone. We needed to provide documentation from our agency to allow my husband to meet us in Texas. For the finalization our attorney will use our power of attorney form that my husband has given me.

The hardest part about the process was having the request move up the chain of command. It was timely and frustrating. Per the new act, they need to allow for this to happen. They just do not make it happen very quickly. One thing that we took into consideration was the amount of time he would be gone from training. It was important to me that he not miss training that would help him stay safe in Iraq. Our daughter is 7 and it actually worked out better for her not to form an attachment with her new Dad and then have him leave. I too got my info off of the MilitaryOne site. Also, the soliders back home were also willing to do whatever they needed to do to help.

Good Luck!
Michelle

[navy_wife_martin]

thanks michelle, that was actually our biggest concern. He'll be leave around the same time of placement and if we can work it out with our POA then that eases my nerves a tad, thanks!

[omegaman1911]

If you are in the U.S. Army you can find the guidance in MILPER MSG 06-186 it authorizes up to 21 days of non chargable leave for service members that complete the adoption process.

[specialk4b]

omegaman, thanks for the info. My dh is in the Army. I'll look that one up.