Navy Secretary Ray Mabus is going to reveal a proposal on Wednesday that requires increasing the amount of paid maternity leave by double that sailors and Marines can take to 12 weeks. This step will be taken in an effort to retain talented women.

According to a senior Navy official, Mabus will give the details of the proposal during a speech at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. The official didn't reveal much since the official was not authorized to reveal the proposal prior to the official announcement.

Legislative approval would be required to extend paid paternity leave and if Congress approves it, the proposal would be extended to members of all military branches. According to the Defense Department, as of January, there were over 200,000 active-duty women in the military.

It is yet unclear that what would be the cost of Mabus' proposal, but Navy officials think that it's a wise thought since women in the beginning of their careers is such services are retained at half the rate as men.

The Navy is looking forward to become more family friendly in order to help keep talented women. Child care hours in the world would be increased each day by two hours in the morning and two hours each evening under Mabus' proposals.

For those women who want time to raise their family or want a break from service, Mabus wants 400 slots available to get up to three years off from service prior to returning to duty. Those related to the program would need to provide two years of service for each year, when they take off.