If my wife has a doctor's appointment and I need to take her to it, do I have to take a chargeable leave day?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 11:08:53 -0500

OK, so I'm AGR at stand alone facility, I'm all by myself everyday. The only person in town that I care for is my wife and she does not drive. My work and house are less than a mile apart. If she has a doctors appointment and I need to take her there, do I have to take a chargeable leave day for that?

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Dec 20 at 2016 11:27 AM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 11:27:10 -0500

I don't see why you would. Hell, that's something I would do on my chow break. You do get chow breaks don't you?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2016 11:31 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 11:31:39 -0500

If your commander doesn't mind then you should be okay.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Dec 20 at 2016 12:29 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 12:29:36 -0500

Leave or pass, those are the only two "official" and legitimate ways to be absent from your place of duty.

That said, Using the hands and feet of every senior NCO on this forum I doubt I could count the number of times I gave "permission" for a SM to go to a family member appointment during duty hours. The only time I made it official as in pass, was if they had to leave the local area, and the only time I had to make them take leave was if it would going to take more then a normal duty day or leaving the "Norm" area in milage for a pass

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Dec 20 at 2016 12:31 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 12:31:35 -0500

I had to take a lot of phone calls, etc. for reserve stuff during working hours at the regular job. The bosses knew I just added time to my day to offset it and life was good. Bottom line, if you're not working, make sure you make it up and give the taxpayer their worth. It's usually recognized as a good attribute of an honest and valued employee.

Response by SFC George Smith made Dec 20 at 2016 12:43 PM

SFC George Smith — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 12:43:29 -0500

check and see what the State has in the benefits package on family support

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Dec 20 at 2016 8:14 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 20:14:01 -0500

Is there anyone in the Unit that is close by for they could watch and help someone if they needed too so could take her?
SSG MARK FRANZEN
USA VET

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Dec 21 at 2016 2:30 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 02:30:06 -0500

It Seems in one form or another if Your scheduled for duty and You can't arrange something on Your own time then You need to be excused from duty. I don't feel You should have to take leave for that but You do need approval if its not on Your own time esp if in a situation someone else has to pick up Your duties while You are at Her Appointment.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2016 9:31 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 09:31:11 -0500

The dilemma here is how is the office covered while you are gone?

From what you described I don't see much of a problem.

One of the very view direct orders I ever gave was to tell an airman to take the day off. He kept working at busy work until I told him if he didn't leave he and I were spend all weekend at work.

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made Dec 21 at 2016 9:56 AM

CPT Mark Gonzalez — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 09:56:39 -0500

Find the regulation that defines the length of a duty day? It doesn't exist to my knowledge and the duty day is mission and supervisor dependent.
It sounds like that same supervisor is no longer willing to be flexible with you in which case yes they could force you to take leave or pass to cover your absence. Something made them suddenly aware or concerned about your time out of office. Maybe you abused the privilege and it has caught up to you or maybe they had a bad day. It is well within their purview, but have a better conversation with them if possible as maybe they can explain more of why they are acting this way.

Response by SGT James Belcher made Jan 17 at 2017 11:29 PM

SGT James Belcher — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 23:29:48 -0500

Take your wife...never heard of an NCO having a problem with this.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Aug 6 at 2020 7:33 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 19:33:54 -0400

Recommend you call the office you work with or for, tell the person you talk to regularly what you're going to do and the hours you will be gone and ensure they have your cell number. Leave a message on the office phone that you are out of the office and will return at (time). If you have drop in visitors, leave a note on the door with your intended return time and your cell number as an emergency contact number.