UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
4000 DEFENSE PENTAGON
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20301-4000
PERSONNEL AND
READINESS
June 9, 2022
Incorporating Change 3, May 5, 2025
MEMORANDUM FOR SENIOR PENTAGON LEADERSHIP (SEE DISTRIBUTION)
DEFENSE AGENCY AND DOD FIELD ACTIVITY DIRECTORS
SUBJECT: Directive-type Memorandum 22-004 – “Reserve Component Maternity Leave
Program”
References: See Attachment 1.
Purpose. In accordance with the authority in DoD Directive (DoDD) 5124.02 and
Section 602 of Public Law 116-283, also known as the “William M. (“Mac”) Thornberry
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021,” this DTM:
• Establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and provides procedures for
Reserve Component maternity leave (RCML), including for associated pay
and crediting of retirement points, for covered Reserve Component (RC)
Service members in connection with the birth of a child.
• Specifically, this DTM implements the RCML program pursuant to Section
206 of Title 37, United States Code (U.S.C.) and Section 12732 of Title 10,
U.S.C. Policies and procedures established or incorporated in this document
supplement any existing guidance for leave and liberty; RC utilization
categories and training participation requirements; entitlement to
compensation in accordance with Section 206 of Title 37, U.S.C. (hereafter
referred to as inactive duty pay), special and incentive pays, and bonuses; and
the crediting of points for the computation of non-regular retirement (hereafter
referred to as retirement points) in all applicable DoD issuances, including
DoD Instruction (DoDI) 1327.06, DoDI 1215.06, DoDI 1215.07,
DoDI 1215.13, Volume 7A of DoD 7000.14-R, and any other DoD policy
issuances related to leave and liberty, participation in an RC in an active
status, applicable forms of military compensation, and childbirth. Such
issuances will be updated to incorporate the policies outlined in this DTM as
applicable. This DTM takes precedence over any issuances as it pertains to
RCML.
• This DTM is effective June 9, 2022; and remains in effect until incorporated
into DoDI 1327.06. This DTM will expire effective October 1, 2025.
