What is the policy for revoking leave?

2021-08-21T17:08:07-04:00

I have a bit of a situation. My leave is signed and has a control number for a few weeks from now. Our 4 day FTX was cancelled and will be postponed. I have a feeling they will schedule it right in the middle of my leave. I get out of the army in 4 months. I am H8 but my section has 3 other qualified operators. I see no reason why they specifically need me for this field. If they try to take my leave what can I do?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 21 at 2021 6:56 PM

2021-08-21T18:56:59-04:00

Nothing! Leave and leave requests are the responsibility of the Commander- they can revoke/recall/cancel any leave as they see fit. Same for taking 4 months to ETS, in my day they were required to give 14 days minimum to ETS. Best you can do is make sure the leave is approved and talk to the change about the importance it has to you.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2021 8:43 PM

2021-08-21T20:43:31-04:00

It's not a policy, it's a regulation, AR 600-8-10.
Your commander is the approval authority for leave.
And denying leave.
And cancelling leave.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2021 1:40 PM

2021-08-22T13:40:45-04:00

If they take your Leave, there is nothing you can do. Leave is at the discretion of your Commander. You could be on Leave and you can be recalled by your Commander.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Aug 22 at 2021 1:51 PM

2021-08-22T13:51:42-04:00

Nothing. The commander is the approval/denying authority. If they revoke your leave, then they do. You do know that even if you're in the middle of your leave time, that you can be called back off it right?

I wouldn't worry about it if I was you honestly. You're just addressing a hypothetical at this point.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Aug 22 at 2021 7:51 PM

2021-08-22T19:51:47-04:00

As everyone has pointed out, there is not a lot you can do if canceled. BUT....

There is something you can do to PREVENT your leave getting cancelled. Talk to your Commander!!!

You have a few weeks. Use the open door (tell your chain of Command first), talk to the Commander, and plead your case. Get the Commander's thoughts and feelings. In a matter of about 5 minutes you can get in, get out, and either A) have relatively strong assurances that if the exercise is re-scheduled, the Commander won't cancel your leave, B) have relatively strong assurances the exercise won't be re-scheduled then, or C) have a good understanding that your leave is in jeopardy, and you need to make alternate plans.

Be pro-active! No one is going to take care of you better than you - so go take care of you.

Response by CPL Adam Schoenwald made Aug 23 at 2021 11:25 AM

2021-08-23T11:25:48-04:00

From my understanding the buck stops at the commander. Stop loss even for leave sucks but that is part of wearing the uniform, Mission first, everything else somewhere after.

Response by Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis made Aug 23 at 2021 1:10 PM

2021-08-23T13:10:55-04:00

To answer the question, directly, the policy is this: Your Commander is in control. If you want it cancelled, simply ask the Commander to cancel it. He or she might ask for an explanation. In your case I recommend saying "Reschedule of FTX might conflict with my leave schedule." Boom. Done. If the Commander states, in no uncertain terms, that you will not be selected for the FTX, then it might no longer be necessary to cancel, but get Commander's word, first.