Exploring Army Travel: State-By-State Travel Rules For Soldiers

can army soldiers travel out of state

Army soldiers can travel out of state, but they must follow certain procedures. They accrue 2.5 days of leave for each month of military service, and this leave can be used to travel out of state. However, there are limits to how much leave can be carried over from one fiscal year to the next. Typically, if an army soldier has accrued more than two months of unused leave, they lose any amount that exceeds 60 days at the end of the fiscal year. It is important to note that the approval for leave is at the discretion of the command and based on various factors, including operational requirements.

quartzmountain

Army soldiers accrue 2.5 days of leave per month of service

Army soldiers accrue 2.5 days of leave for each month of service, which equates to 30 days of paid leave per year. This means that a soldier starting with zero days off will have their leave balance increased by 2.5 days each month. This is applicable to active-duty soldiers in any branch of the armed forces or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The maximum amount of leave that can be accrued or 'banked' over a two-year period is 60 days. However, on the first day of the fiscal year (October 1), any leave exceeding this limit will be forfeited. This means that, while leave continues to accrue beyond the 60-day mark, soldiers risk losing any days off that surpass this number at the end of the fiscal year (September 30).

There are certain situations where soldiers may carry over more than 60 days of leave, and this is known as a special leave accrual. This can occur due to deployment to specific regions, assignment to designated units, or operational requirements preventing a soldier from taking time off. In these cases, the maximum combined total leave balance that can be carried forward is 90 days.

Soldiers can request to take leave at any time, but approval is at the command's discretion and based on various factors, including operational requirements. Some commands may also designate specific times when portions or all of the unit can take leave simultaneously, often referred to as 'block leave'. This typically happens during holiday periods, such as summer and Christmas, as well as before and after deployments.

It is important to note that service members are expected to use their leave for any workday they are unavailable or when they leave the vicinity of their duty station, as defined by their command.

Southwest Airlines: California-Bound?

You may want to see also

quartzmountain

Leave requests are approved at the command's discretion

Military service members accrue 30 days of paid leave per year. For every month of military service, 2.5 days of leave are added to their leave account. This doesn't stop, but there is a limit to how much leave can be carried over from one fiscal year to the next. Typically, if a soldier has accrued more than two months of unused leave, any amount that exceeds 60 days is lost at the end of the fiscal year (September 30).

Soldiers are expected to use their leave for any workday that they will not be available for work, as required by their command. They are also expected to use leave for any day that they leave the vicinity of their duty station, as defined by their command. This includes weekends and holidays.

Some commands may have specified times when all or portions of the command can take leave simultaneously, often referred to as "block leave." This typically occurs before or after a deployment or during holiday periods, such as summer and Christmas.

It's important to note that service members must notify their command when beginning their approved leave ("checking out") and when returning from leave ("checking in"). The policies and procedures for checking out and checking in vary between commands and may include physical presence or telephonic and electronic notification.

Bed Bugs: Do They Travel Solo?

You may want to see also

quartzmountain

There are different types of leave, including regular, emergency, convalescent, and parental

There are several types of leave available to service members, each with its own unique characteristics and purposes. These include regular leave, emergency leave, convalescent leave, and parental leave.

Regular military leave is any paid leave taken for personal reasons, such as vacations, family care, errands, or any other purpose. It is typically used on workdays and when a service member leaves the vicinity of their duty station, as defined by their command, on a weekend or holiday. This type of leave is charged against the service member's accrued leave balance.

Emergency leave is taken in response to a family or other emergency situations. It is usually authorized quickly and is also paid leave charged against the leave balance.

Convalescent leave, on the other hand, is a non-chargeable leave granted to expedite a military member's return to full duty after a diagnosed medical condition or childbirth. It is typically granted for 30 days or less, as recommended by a healthcare provider. This type of leave is directed and approved by the director of the military medical treatment facility and the service member's commander. Importantly, convalescent leave is not deducted from the service member's accrued leave balance.

Parental leave is another type of non-chargeable leave granted to eligible service members, both birth parents and non-birth parents, following the birth or adoption of a child, or placement of a minor child for adoption or long-term foster care. Eligible service members are authorized 12 weeks of parental leave, in addition to any convalescent leave that may be authorized for the recovery of the birth parent.

These different types of leave provide flexibility and support to service members, allowing them to address personal matters, recover from medical conditions, and spend time with their families.

quartzmountain

Leave can be sold back when reenlisting, extending enlistment, or separating from the military

When it comes to taking time off, military service members accrue 30 days of paid leave per year. For every month of service, 2.5 days of leave are added to this account. While there is no cap on the amount of leave that can accumulate, there is a limit to how much can be carried over from one fiscal year to the next. Typically, if you have more than 60 days of unused leave, you will lose the amount that exceeds this cap at the end of the fiscal year (September 30).

In certain situations, service members may be authorised to carry over more than 60 days of leave. This is known as a special leave accrual and usually occurs due to deployment to certain areas of the world, assignment to specific units, or operational requirements preventing time off. The maximum amount of leave that can be carried over in these circumstances is 90 days, and the authorisation will expire on September 30, 2026.

Service members can request time off at any time, but approval is at the command's discretion and based on various factors, including operational requirements. Some commands may have specified times when all or most service members can take leave simultaneously, often referred to as "block leave". This typically occurs during holiday periods, such as summer and Christmas, and before and after deployments.

When separating from the military, service members have three options regarding their unused leave:

  • Take several periods of leave between now and their separation date.
  • Sell back their leave.
  • Take terminal or separation leave.

If you choose to sell back your leave, you are authorised to receive a cash payment for any unused days. This payment is calculated as 1/30 of your basic pay for each day sold back, and you can sell back a maximum of 60 days of leave during your military career. Taxes will be withheld from the final payment, typically at a rate of 25% for federal tax and varying amounts for state tax.

On the other hand, if you opt for terminal leave, you can use your accrued leave days instead of selling them back. During this time, you won't be required to report back to your duty station, but you will continue to receive your base pay, most other types of pay, basic allowance for subsistence (BAS), and basic allowance for housing (BAH). Additionally, you will continue to accrue leave while on terminal leave.

The decision between selling back leave and taking terminal leave depends on various factors, including your financial situation, family schedule, housing arrangements, personal preferences, job restrictions, and medical needs. While selling back leave may provide a larger cash payout, taking terminal leave offers the opportunity to continue receiving benefits and accruing leave.

Renting Wi-Fi: Travel Essential?

You may want to see also

quartzmountain

Terminal leave is regular, chargeable leave used before separation or retirement

Military service members accrue 30 days of paid leave per year. For every month of service, 2.5 days of leave are added to the account, with a maximum of 60 days that can be carried over to the next fiscal year. In certain situations, service members can carry over more than 60 days of leave. This is called a special leave accrual and is usually authorised due to deployment to certain areas, assignment to certain units, or operational requirements that prevent taking leave.

Terminal leave is a type of regular, chargeable leave used before separation or retirement from the military. It allows service members to use their accrued leave instead of selling it back. The use of terminal leave is granted at the discretion of the command.

Service members are expected to use leave for any workday that they will not be available for work and for any day that they leave the vicinity of their duty station, as defined by their command. Leave requests are made through each command's own procedures and may involve a paper or electronic leave request form. Approval is at the discretion of the command and is based on various factors, including operational requirements.

Some commands may have specified times when all or portions of the command can take leave simultaneously, referred to as "block leave". This typically occurs before or after a deployment or during holiday periods, such as summer and Christmas.

Frequently asked questions

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment