As a member of the U.S. military, you’ll be faced with a range of leave options. So, understanding each one is going to be essential to both your well-being and effectiveness as a member of the armed services. Whether it’s military holidays to spend time with family or to simply recharge after deployment, knowing the different types of military leave helps you to better manage both your time and responsibilities.
Each military branch has its own set of leave policies and rules. However, regardless if you’re in the Army, Air Force, or Marines, they all share common aspects for specific purposes. Let’s go through the different types of leave to gain a better understanding of military leave rules and to help you budget your time off.
Regular Leave
By far, the most common type of military leave is Regular leave. This is the standard time off for all personnel accrued while serving. Overall, you’ll earn 2.5 days free for every month of active duty, which adds to about 30 days per year.
If you’re in the Air Force, you can complete the official AF Form 988 with a tool like PDF Guru to take regular leave. For army personnel, it’s the Army Leave Form. These are formal requests that you’ll have to submit to your chain of command. If you are planning to take some time off, make sure you consider scheduling for important times like military holidays to get the most out of your free time.
Emergency Leave
Emergency leave is for those times when the unexpected comes up. Examples might be a death in the family or an urgent family matter. Before requesting emergency leave, make sure you have some form of documentation of proof, such as a death certificate or doctor’s note. Then, file an Army Leave request form. It’s then up to your chain of command to consider your request.
Note: emergency requests are not counted towards your regular leave balance.
Rest and Recuperation Leave (R&R)
After a period of deployment in combat zones or other high-stress environments, you’ll be entitled to R&R leave. These military holidays allow you to refresh yourself physically and mentally. Normally, you’ll be given 15 days of R&R leave with the chance to travel wherever you choose. Although R&R is often seen as similar to regular leave, its purpose is to allow you to recuperate and return with a clearer mindset.
Convalescent Leave
Active duty means there’s the ever-present possibility of injury. When you’re recovering, convalescent leave may be granted. This type of leave allows you to recover from any medical conditions, be that illness or injury sustained during duty or combat.
As a special form of leave, it doesn’t count against your regular leave, as it’s essentially time off for recovery. A military doctor needs to approve your Army Leave Form request as well as determine how much time you’ll be granted.
Administrative Leave
Administrative leave covers a whole host of specific non-personal reasons and is granted at the discretion of your chain of command. Examples include attending military hearings, participating in a military-sponsored event, or serving as a military witness. Being tied to a specific duty or requirement, such a request doesn’t count towards your regular types of leave.
Paternity and Maternity Leave
All new parents are entitled to some form of paternity or maternity leave. The U.S. military recognizes the importance of family to their service members. As such, paternity and maternity leave reflect this commitment. This is a period away from regular duty, where you can concentrate on family matters, and is separate from your regular leave days. Exactly how much time is given is dependent on the military leave rules in your branch of service.
Compassionate Leave
Now and then, we face extraordinary circumstances, such as a family death or critical illness. In such cases, your commanding officer may grant compassionate leave so you can be with family for emotional and practical support. This type of military leave differs from emergency leave in that it’s more focused on personal crises. You have to submit an army leave request along with details of the situation to your chain of command for consideration.
Deployment Leave
The military recognizes the importance of balancing personal life and military responsibilities. So, whether you’re about to be deployed or are returning from active duty, deployment leave gives you a chance to spend time with your family. Also known as “block leave,” it lets you reconnect with your loved ones and reintegrate back into normal daily life. How much free time you’ll receive depends on the mission or service branch.
Special Leave Accrual (SLA)
In some circumstances, you might have been deployed in areas where regular leave was unavailable or simply not a practical consideration. In such cases, you might be eligible for Special Leave Accrual (SLA). With this, you’re able to accrue more than your regular 30-day leave and roll it over into the next fiscal year. It is designed to ensure you don’t miss out on any opportunities to take leave when special duties prevent you from doing so.
Understanding Types Of Military Leave
No matter what your military job is, it’s essential to keep a healthy balance between active duty and your personal life. By understanding the different types of leave available, you’ll be in a better place to make the most of your free time. Whether you’re selling leave days you haven’t used or taking terminal leave towards the end of your career, knowing the options helps make better time management decisions.