Army Lengthens New Parents’ Deployment Deferments

Soldiers who become new parents either through childbirth or adoption now will be able to spend six months at home before deploying overseas, under a new Army policy. The two-month extension also applies to deployments on dependent-restricted overseas tours, accompanied tour where concurrent travel is denied, or temporary duty away from home. For couples who adopt, one parent will be allowed to take advantage of the longer deployment deferment. Single parents are eligible as well. The Marine Corps also allows six-month deployment deferments; the Air Force allows four months, and the Navy allows 12 months.