Military Changes Maternity Leave Policies

Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced a new maternity leave policy for the military, allotting twelve weeks paid leave for every branch.

The move is seen as controversial, since military branches were pushing for 18 weeks of maternity leave. 

For mothers serving in the Navy or Marines, this means their leave will be reduced from 18 weeks to 12. 

The leave will double for mothers serving in the Army or Air Force, which currently offers six weeks of paid leave. 

Pregnant women in the Navy or Marines will still receive the 18 weeks of maternity leave. 

As for military dads, Carter says he will ask authorities to increase paternity leave from 10 to 14 days. 

The moves are part of a Pentagon initiative aimed at making the military an attractive career path.