I'm thinking about enlisting and want to know how taking a leave of absence works. Are there limits on time off, and what are the conditions for getting approved in different branches?
The Department of Defense outlines rules for leave (time off) for all service members across different branches of the U.S. military. Typically, enlisted military personnel earn 2.5 days of annual leave each month, totaling 30 days per year.
When it comes to strict leave of absence, the policies might get a bit more complicated. Extended leaves typically require specific circumstances to be met, such as family emergencies, sickness, or some other unforeseen situation. In the case of the latter two, a service member would likely be placed on Temporary Disabled/Injured Leave and their case would be evaluated so the military can determine the best course of action.
Generally, requesting leave would involve submitting a formal request to your commanding officer or designated authority. They will then approve or deny the request based on the needs of the unit and the military branch as a whole. These rules are similar for all branches of the military, including the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force. But, there might be certain regulations that are unique to each branch, so it's always best to check.
There are also specific types of leave such as paternity/maternity leave, administrative leave for legal proceedings or moving, or convalescent leave for post-surgery recovery, which may have different approval processes and durations.
Also worth noting is that while on leave, military personnel continue to receive their regular pay and benefits. Ultimately, each situation is assessed individually, and approval for a leave of absence is determined based on both the needs of the military and the circumstances of the individual requesting leave.
Lastly, it's advised to make use of the military's legal assistance services to more thoroughly understand how leave works before enlisting.
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