Military recruiters provide enlistees with a lot of information. There are some important, but typically forgotten, things that service members should be aware of regarding military leave. After reading this, recruits may realize that they already qualify for leave. It will not be long before they are searching for discount airline tickets!
The Coast Guard and Marine Corps authorize ten days of leave immediately after recruits complete boot camp. In other branches of the military, recruits must wait until graduation from A-School/AIT/technical school to receive their first military leave. At this point, those who are initially assigned to a stateside base will normally be authorized for ten days of leave and those assigned overseas will be authorized for 15 days, even if this puts the recruit into a negative leave balance.
The Army closes down AIT schools and basic training during the two weeks surrounding Christmas. The Navy and Air Force continue basic training but close many A and tech schools. Most of the drill sergeants/instructors take leave at this time. Recruits who do not take leave during this “Christmas Exodus” are typically assigned to perform details.
Most recruits purchase cheap airline tickets for military personnel and head home, even if this puts their leave balance into negative territory. Those with a negative leave balance will not be authorized to take leave following graduation from school. However, if the school period is long, the recruit may have accrued more leave and can take it upon graduation.
A service member is usually responsible for the cost of a military discount airline ticket and other leave-related costs. Exceptions include Emergency leave for service members assigned or deployed overseas or at sea, in which case the military arranges free transportation to and from the U.S. port of entry. If you have accrued leave, click here to find discounted airfare.
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