The U.S. military provides various leave benefits to active personnel. Military leave is scheduled time off from assigned duties, similar to vacation time in the civilian world. The process of applying for military leave differs from the application process for other types of leave. Before purchasing discount airline tickets and reserving hotel accommodations for an anticipated vacation, service members should familiarize themselves with the protocol.
Full-time active service members accrue 2.5 days of military leave monthly, resulting in a 30-day annual allotment. This time may be used however the service member desires, including spending time at home with family or purchasing a military discount airline ticket for a vacation away from home. Service members should review their Leave and Earnings Statement on a monthly basis to ensure that their leave time is accruing properly.
Ordinary leave is regular chargeable leave scheduled in advance using forms provided by the commanding officer. It is typically used to take a vacation. Emergency leave is used during an urgent and unplanned situation. It is processed immediately and deducted from accumulated leave. Permissive TDY is leave to cover travel between stations and is not charged against accumulated leave.
Convalescent leave is used when the service member cannot fulfill his or her military duties due to medical issues. A physician signature is required to substantiate the medical reason for the leave and the time off is not deducted from accumulated leave. The convalescent leave period runs until the doctor issues a release.
Service members may accrue up to 60 days of leave and accrued leave may be rolled over from one year to another. If more than 60 days are accrued before leave is taken, the excess time will be lost. If you are nearing your leave accrual limit, click here to find cheap airline tickets for military personnel and begin planning a vacation.