Why you should use your leave

  • Published
  • By Maj. Danzel Albertsen
  • 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Is Military Leave really necessary for each of us wearing a uniform?  After a little research with our great Dover Finance Team, I discovered I carried 110 days of leave as of October 1, 2014.  I needed to build a plan to use 80 days by September 30, 2015.  Several of you just dropped your jaw in bewilderment.  How could this be possible?  Over the past four years, I deployed on two short tours and attended a yearlong school. 

I promise no PowerPoints but must quote an Air Force Instruction a few times so I will apologize up front for the family members reading this and assure you the only acronym I will use is AFI. 

AFI 36-3003, Military Leave Program describes why we need to take leave.  Paragraph 4.1.4 states, "The use of leave is essential to the morale and motivation of members and for maintaining maximum effectiveness."  Then this paragraph goes a little further into detail stating, "Lengthy respites from the work environment tend to have a beneficial effect on an individual's psychological and physical status."  To add a little more to these two sentences, I ask you to think of how it helps not just your work, psychological mood or physical capability but also how it helps your family and friends?

How well are you using your leave as intended by Congress?  AFI 36-3003 states, "Weekend absences (regular pass) or short periods of leave do not normally afford a similar degree of relief.  In providing leave, Congress intended for members to use their leave as it accrues.  Congress did not intend for members to accrue large leave balances...and give members the opportunity to take at least one leave period of 14 consecutive days or more every fiscal year...."  Well, I failed at meeting this Congressional goal.  As of today, I have only taken leave five times that was greater than 13 days throughout my career and two of those were mid-tours during my short tours. 

Each of us can easily find an excuse on why not to take leave.  The two easiest excuses I have used and hear constantly are, "I/we cannot afford the cost of travel" or "The mission needs me."  Concerning the travel cost excuse, look around your base or state (country if overseas) and see what is available in your local area, enjoy the personal time working on a project in your house, or even just sleeping in.  Concerning the mission, take a second to think about all the personnel who have departed, whether separating or retiring, then ask yourself, "Did the mission fail upon their departure?"  I cannot think of a time I could say "yes" to this question.  Yes, we have worried about the knowledge or capability they brought to the team.  In reality we are always training our replacement and whoever fills our seat will not let the mission fail. 

Since October 1, 2008 all military members were authorized to carry over 75 days.  Effective October 1, 2015 the maximum carryover will return to the pre-2008 authorized level of 60 days.  While every military member plays a role in making sure leave is used properly, every Airmanstill needs a plan.  Most of us wearing a uniform fail to schedule it out over a year to ensure everyone has an opportunity to use it before anyone loses days or must take it when it truly is not beneficial to the member, family or mission.  Our civilian counterparts do a great job every January to schedule out most of their leave over the next year to ensure priorities of the individual and mission are met.  Unit leaders and military members usually wait until June to receive the Use/Lose Leave report from our Finance team.  Armed with the leave status, unit leaders scramble around the last 4 months to ensure their subordinates use their leave.  Throughout my career I have never seen a leave schedule for military members.  After a little research for this commentary, I have added one for the 436 AMXS and myself.  AFI 36-3003 paragraph 4.1.5.8. states, "Ensure members schedule leave annually at the beginning of the fiscal year and update their leave schedule periodically."  This is a two-lane road.  I will take full responsibility for my squadron, but I ask each of you to consider which is better, planned or short-notice leave (not including emergency leave)?

I ask each of you to make a plan for at least one 14-day leave of absence each year and hold on to just enough for an emergency each year.  Congress recognized the importance of leave and it is critical for you,your morale, and well-being of your family along with helping your unit to maintain maximum effectiveness.  Don't forget it is our responsibility to train our replacement and trust that the mission will continue no matter where you are in the world.

This article is posting and being printed as I'm sitting on the beach in Florida with my family. Leave is priceless no matter where you take it.  I used 71 days over the past six months.  If I can build a plan anyone can.  Thirty three of those days were spent enjoying time with Gabby and our two spoiled-rotten Golden Retrievers in our home on Dover Air Force Base.  The only regret I have is that I haven't taken a two-week break every year for the past 24 years.