New Parent Support Department of Defense Service Regulations and Orders

Military programs are governed by federal law, Department of Defense policy and additional policies specific to the branches of service. Below are service-specific policies that govern parenting programs in the military including the New Parent Support Program and adoption.

New Parent Support

Army

Army Regulation 608-1, “Army Community Service” October 19, 2017: This regulation is a consolidation of standards for service delivery in the Army Community Service center. Information pertaining to the Army Family Advocacy Program is included in Chapter 4, Section II.

Army Regulation 608-18, “The Army Family Advocacy Program,” October 30, 2007, Rapid Action Revision Issue Date: September 13, 2011: This regulation contains the policies for handling child and spouse abuse within the Army. The New Parent Support Program is outlined in Chapter 3.

Marine Corps

Marine Corps Order P1050.3J, “Regulations for Leave, Liberty, and Administrative Absence,” May 19, 2009: This order updates regulations and policies on leave, liberty, and administrative absence. Paragraphs 5003 and 5004 have information regarding permissive leave for the birth or adoption of a child.

Marine Corps Order P1700.24B, “Personal Services Manual,” December 27, 2001: This order contains policies for Personal Services Programs which reside within Marine Corps Community Services. The programs support commanders’ efforts in the prevention and resolution of problems that detract from mission readiness and enhance the quality of life for the military community.

Secretary of the Navy Instruction 1752.3B, “Family Advocacy Program,” November 10, 2005: This instruction assigns responsibilities for the Navy and Marine Corps Family Advocacy Programs.

Secretary of the Navy Instruction 1754.1B, “Fleet and Family Support Center Program,” November 5, 2007: This instruction provides policy and assigns responsibilities for the implementation of Navy and Marine Corps Family Support Programs and key functions to include Family Advocacy Programs.

Navy

Secretary of the Navy Instruction 1752.3B, “Family Advocacy Program,” November 10, 2005: This instruction assigns responsibilities for the Navy and Marine Corps Family Advocacy Programs.

Office of the Chief of Naval Operations Instruction 1752.2B,” Family Advocacy Program,” April 25, 2008: This instruction implements the policies set forth in SECNAVINST 1752.3B and in DoD Directive 6400.1.

Secretary of the Navy Instruction 1754.1B, “Fleet and Family Support Center Program” November 5, 2007: This instruction provides policy and assigns responsibilities for the implementation of Navy and Marine Corps Family Support Programs and key functions to include the Family Advocacy Program.

Office of the Chief of Naval Operations Instruction 1754.1B, “Fleet and Family Support Center Program,” November 5, 2007: This instruction establishes Navy policy and assigns responsibilities for the administration and support of the Navy FFSC Program, which includes the Family Advocacy Program.

Air Force

Air Force Policy Directive 40-3, “Family Advocacy Program,” December 6, 2011: This directive establishes the framework for the Air Force Family Advocacy Program. This revision incorporates the New Parent Support Program into the Air Force Family Advocacy Program. Changes also clarify the Family Advocacy Program focus on intervention with families to prevent or stop family maltreatment.

Air Force Instruction 40-301, “Family Advocacy,” November 13, 2020: This instruction describes the responsibilities of Family Advocacy Program agencies and staff and other Air Force personnel who are instrumental to the implementation and operation of Air Force Family Advocacy Program. Chapter 3 addresses prevention programs within the Family Advocacy Program to include New Parent Support.

Coast Guard

Commandant Instruction 1752.1, “Family Advocacy Program,” August 14, 2014: This instruction provides policy and procedures for the Family Advocacy Program in the Coast Guard to include child maltreatment prevention services.

Adoption

Marine Corps

Marine Corps Order P1050.3J, “Regulations for Leave, Liberty and Administrative Absence,” May 19, 2009: This order updates regulations and policies on leave, liberty and administrative absence. Paragraphs 5003 and 5004 have information regarding permissive leave for the birth or adoption of a child.

Marine Administrative Message 0076/09, “Advance Notice of Forthcoming Changes to MCOP1050.3H Regulations for Leave, Liberty, and Administrative Absence,” February 6, 2009: This message provides advance notice of changes in Marine Corps policy relevant to a Marine adopting a child.

Marine Corps Order 5000.12E, “Marine Corps Policy Concerning Pregnancy and Parenthood,” December 8, 2004: This order provides policy and procedures for pregnant Marines and Navy personnel assigned to Marine units, a Marine considering the adoption of an infant or child and single Marine parents. Paragraph 16(a) allows commanding officers to provide up to 10 days of permissive temporary additional duty for any Marine adopting a child, depending on the unit’s mission and specific operational circumstances.

Office of the Chief of Naval Operations 1754.4A, “Navy Adoption Reimbursement Policy,” December 12, 2014: This instruction prescribes procedures for reimbursing members of the Navy for the expenses associated with child adoption.

Office of the Chief of Naval Operations Instruction 6000.1C, “Navy Guidelines Concerning Pregnancy and Parenthood,” June 14, 2007: This instruction revises naval guidance concerning pregnant personnel assigned to Navy units and addresses parenthood issues including the adoption of an infant or child. Paragraph 202(b) allows the commanding officer to authorize up to 21 days of permissive temporary additional duty for any service member adopting a child, depending on the unit’s mission and specific operational circumstances

Secretary of the Navy Instruction 1000.10A, “Department of the Navy (DON) Policy on Parenthood and Pregnancy,” September 9, 2005: This instruction provides policy for all military personnel related to parenthood and pregnancy to ensure equality of opportunity while maintaining operational readiness.

Navy

Office of the Chief of Naval Operations Instruction 1754.4A, “Navy Adoption Reimbursement Policy,” December 12, 2014: This instruction prescribes procedures for reimbursing members of the Navy for the expenses associated with the adoption of a child.

Office of the Chief of Naval Operations Instruction 6000.1D, “Navy Guidelines Concerning Pregnancy and Parenthood,” March 12, 2018: This instruction revises naval guidance concerning pregnant personnel assigned to Navy units and addresses parenthood issues to include the adoption of an infant or child. Paragraph 202(b) allows the commanding officer to authorize up to 21 days of permissive temporary additional duty for any service member adopting a child, depending on the unit’s mission and specific operational circumstances

Secretary of the Navy Instruction 1000.10B, “Department of the Navy (DON) Policy on Parenthood and Pregnancy,” January 16, 2019: This instruction provides policy for all military personnel related to parenthood and pregnancy to ensure equality of opportunity while maintaining operational readiness.

Air Force

Air Force Instruction 36-2609, “Marriage in Overseas Commands,” October 9, 2018 , Certified Current June 5, 2020: This instruction provides information and policy guidance to commanders on the marriage of personnel stationed in or visiting overseas commands, and on applications for immigration of alien spouses, fiancés or fiancées, children, stepchildren and adopted children.

Coast Guard

Commandant Instruction 1754.9B, “Reimbursement of Adoption Expenses,” June 6, 2012: This instruction outlines the policy and procedures for the reimbursement of adoption expenses to Coast Guard members and applies to the adoption of children under the age of 18.

Commandant Instruction 5400.20A, “Operating Procedures for Work-Life Staffs,” December 13, 2004: This instruction establishes policy and procedures for the operation of the work-life staffs assigned to Coast Guard Headquarters, the Headquarters Support Command, and the regional Integrated Support Commands. This instruction also details the duties, responsibilities and authority of the family resource specialist, which includes providing information and referral services regarding adoption reimbursement.