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AFH 1 · Chapter 11 · Section 11.15

Types of Leave

Part of Communication · 3 sections · ~1225 words · WAPS PFE study material

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Types of Leave — Annual, Advance, Bereavement, Excess

Reference

DAFI 36-3003 Reference
DAFI 36-3003 outlines many types of leave.

Annual Leave

Annual = Ordinary
Another name for "ordinary" leave is annual leave.

Annual Leave Uses

Annual Leave Uses
Normally, members use annual leave to:
  • Take vacations
  • Attend to family needs
  • Celebrate traditional holidays
  • Attend significant events
  • Use as terminal leave with retirement or separation from RegAF status

Advance Leave

Advance Leave Definition
Advance leave is granted based on a reasonable expectation that a member will accrue at least the amount of leave being requested during the remaining period of RegAF status.

Purpose

Advance Leave Purpose
The purpose of advance leave is to enable members to resolve emergencies or urgent situations when they have limited or no accrued leave.

Conversion to Excess

Advance to Excess Conversion
When a member has taken all the advance leave that represents what he or she will accrue during the remaining period of RegAF service, commanders change the member's leave status from advance to excess leave.

Bereavement Leave

Bereavement Definition
Bereavement Leave is a period of non-chargeable paid leave to:
  • Make arrangements required by the death of a member's spouse or child
  • Attend the funeral, burial, or memorial service of the spouse or child

Up to 14 Days

14-Day Bereavement
A member who experiences such a loss will be allowed up to 14 days of leave to be used in connection with the death.

Eligibility

Bereavement Eligibility = <30 Accrued
The member must have less than 30 days of accrued ordinary leave on the date of such death to be eligible for bereavement leave.

Excess Leave

Excess Leave Definition
Excess leave is normally used for personal or family emergency situations when members cannot request advance leave.

No-Pay Status

Excess = No Pay
Excess leave is a no-pay status; therefore, entitlement to pay and allowances and leave accrual stops on the member's first day of excess leave.

Disability Pay

No Disability Pay on Excess
If injured, a member will not receive disability pay for time spent on excess leave.

Service Commitment

Excess Doesn't Count
The period of excess leave will NOT count toward fulfillment of RegAF duty service commitment.

Charging Rule

Excess Charging Rule
The member will be charged for each day of excess leave used AND an additional half day for every 6 days of negative leave.

Types of Leave — Convalescent, Emergency, Emergency Leave of Absence

Convalescent Leave

Convalescent Definition
Convalescent leave is an authorized absence normally for the minimal time needed to meet the medical needs for recuperation.

Eligibility

Convalescent Eligibility
A member of the armed forces diagnosed with a medical condition is allowed convalescent leave if the medical or behavioral health provider of the member determines that:
  • The member is not yet fit for duty as a result of that condition
  • Recommends such leave for the member to provide for the convalescence of the member from that condition

Mental Health Inclusion

Convalescent for Trauma
This may include convalescence to enable healthy coping mechanisms following traumatic events such as:

- Loss of a child due to stillbirth or miscarriage

…where other types of non-chargeable leave are not authorized.

Oversight Authority

AF/SG Oversight
The Air Force Surgeon General (AF/SG) oversees the convalescent leave program in accordance with AFMAN 41-210, *Tricare Operations and Patient Administration*.

Emergency Leave

Emergency Leave Chargeable
Emergency leave is chargeable leave granted for emergencies involving members of the immediate family.

Approval Authority

Emergency Approval
Unit commanders approve emergency leave and can delegate leave approval to no lower than the first sergeant for enlisted personnel.

Assistance Sources

Assistance Sources
The official granting leave may request assistance from:
  • The military service activity nearest the location of the emergency, OR
  • When necessary, from the American Red Cross

Initial 30-Day Period

30-Day Initial
The initial period of emergency leave is usually no more than 30 days with a possible 30-day extension with approval from:
  • Unit commander, OR
  • First sergeant

60-Day Threshold

60-Day Hardship Threshold
Unit commanders should advise members to apply for:
  • Humanitarian OR
  • Exceptional family member reassignment, OR
  • Hardship discharge

…if the leave period is more than 60 days.

Emergency Leave of Absence (ELOA — Non-Chargeable)

ELOA Definition
Emergency Leave of Absence allows commanders or civilian directors to grant up to 14 days of non-chargeable leave for a qualifying emergency.

Qualifying Emergencies

ELOA Qualifying Events
Qualifying emergencies:
  • Serious medical condition of an immediate family member of the service member
  • Death of an immediate family member as defined in DAFI 36-3003, paragraph 3.1.3.1
  • Any other hardship the commander or director determines appropriate

Once Per Career

ELOA Once Per Career
The leave is granted once during an entire career and is only used to prevent the service member from entering an advanced or excess leave status.

Types of Leave — Enroute, Terminal, Environmental, Military Parental

Enroute Leave

Enroute = Ordinary During PCS
Enroute leave is ordinary leave used during a permanent change of station.

Approval Standard

Losing Cmdr Approves 30 Days
Normally, the losing unit commander approves up to 30 days enroute leave with any change of station move if it does not interfere with the reporting date of the new assignment.

Post-BMT/Tech Training

Post-BMT/Tech Enroute
Members who complete basic or technical training may request:
  • 10 days of leave en route if their first duty station is in the Continental United States
  • 14 days for an overseas assignment

Advance Leave Option

Advance Leave for Insufficient Balance
Members may request advance leave when they do not have enough leave accrued for enroute leave.

Terminal Leave

Terminal = With Retirement/Separation
Terminal leave is chargeable leave taken in conjunction with:
  • Retirement, OR
  • Separation from RegAF status

Coincides with Last Day

Terminal = Last Day RegAF
The member's last day of leave coincides with the last day of RegAF status.

No Return to Duty

No Return After Terminal
Normally, a member does NOT return to duty after terminal leave begins.

Maximum Amount

Terminal Cap = Leave Balance
The amount of leave taken cannot exceed the leave balance at the date of separation.

Environmental and Morale Leave

Environmental/Morale Leave
Environmental and morale leave is authorized overseas where adverse environmental conditions require special arrangements for leave in desirable places at periodic intervals.

Funded Variant

Funded E/M Leave
Funded environmental and morale leave:
  • Charged as ordinary leave
  • Members are authorized military transportation
  • Travel time is NOT charged as leave

Unfunded Variant

Unfunded E/M Leave
Unfunded environmental and morale leave:
  • Charged as ordinary leave
  • Members are authorized space-available air transportation to and from the duty locations
  • Travel time IS charged as leave

Military Parental Leave Program

12-Week Parental Leave
Military Parental Leave Program authorizes 12 weeks of non-chargeable leave to covered service members after a qualifying birth event, adoption of a minor child, or who have a minor child placed for adoption or long-term foster care with them to care for the child.

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