By Jennifer Fontaine, Meredith Grant and Sharona Silver ( November 8, 2017, 12:16 PM EST) -- Are nonmilitary employees entitled to leave related to the military service of their family members? In many cases, yes. With the increasing number of military members and veterans due to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, employers are likely to receive more requests under the Family Medical Leave Act than ever before. Employers generally understand that they may need to provide leave for active duty military or a veteran. However, the law allows for a much broader interpretation of military leave, which includes providing leave to nonmilitary employees with a military spouse, parent, child or other family member, even if the relative is no longer an active duty service member. Thus, unlike prior generations, millions of Americans qualify as military caregivers entitled to FMLA protection....