Comment on FR Doc # N/A

As a member of the National Guard, I support this rule. I feel it is important to allow federal employees the ability to support loved-ones who have sacrificed so much and have become injured in the line of duty. Expanding federal employees rights under FMLA to align with the benefits civilians enjoy is the right thing to do. As the law exists, federal employees cannot use FMLA to care for injured service members beyond 12 weeks and the current language regarding qualifying conditions is not clear regarding military service. When first enacted in 1993, FMLA focused on more common conditions such as the birth and care of the newborn child of the employee, for placement with the employee of a son or daughter for adoption or foster care, to care for an immediate family member with a serious health condition, or to take medical leave when the employee is unable to work because of a serious health condition. This rule change will go a long way in demonstrating support for struggling military members and their families, and to let them know that a grateful nation stands behind them.