After being granted a pass due to my father's death, how can I avoid having to return to my duty station to sign out on emergency leave?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 14:49:29 -0500

Question about emergency leave

My dad passed away 2 days ago. And for reasons I rather not get into, I had no intention of attending his funeral. However I had a comp day was granted a pass to go be with my family and help clean my dads apartment. Well after being here with everyone I decided I would like to attend the funeral later this week. We did the Red Cross and I was approved for emergency leave. But my first line says I have come back to sign out and I just think that’s ridiculous. It’s an 8 hour drive one way from Fort Campbell to Cleveland and honestly I don’t want to make that trip back and forth. If I have to go back to Fort Campbell I’m not driving back here. Is there something I can do? Do I really need to drive back just to sign out for emergency leave? Is that really the only way?

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Mar 7 at 2021 3:12 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 15:12:13 -0500

I can't speak for Army regulations but from my experience being approved for emergency leave doesn't change how one goes on leave or returns from leave. You will still be charged for annual leave and you still have to leave/return as you normally do for annual leave. In my time you couldn't execute leave while already out on liberty. You would need to check out. Again there may be differences between branches. I would talk to your leadership and learn the processes in place that govern this.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 7 at 2021 3:36 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 15:36:40 -0500

AR 600-8-10 Leave and Pass regulation. Your first line is correct if you took a regular pass IAW para 7-2
"....e. A regular pass begins and ends on post, at duty location, or at the location from where Soldier normally com- mutes to duty. The Soldier must be physically at one of these locations when departing to or returning from a regular pass."

If you were on a Special Pass it's similar
"...g. A special pass may be combined with leave without a duty day between the two periods of absence. However, the Soldier must be physically present at the PDS, post, duty location or local residence area (defined as where the Soldier commutes daily to work) to start and end both the leave and pass period."

Para 7-3 talks about your Commander extending your pass but then charging your leave for the extended period. Not sure how long your Commander can extend you. I would request an extension understanding that all of it will be charge leave. They will generate a DA31 and send it to you. This is 100% up to your unit commander. He can disapprove, or only grant an extension to cover your physical movement back to FTCKY.

Para 7-4 talks about how to process that extension. Your whole absence will be chargeable leave.

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made Mar 7 at 2021 4:22 PM

SSG Bill McCoy — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 16:22:59 -0500

Speak to your NCOIC first and if he/she can't help, contact your 1SG and ask that the CO extend your pass, or generate Leave. Common sense should dictate that you not make a 16 hour, round-trip drive merely to "sign-out." Keep in mind the CO may decide not to grant leave, but for an immediate family member's passing he may as long as it doesn't impact your unit's mission.
Also consider that the Red Cross does NOT, and can NOT, "approve" Emergency Leave. All they can do is verify the reason and basically, recommend leave.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Mar 7 at 2021 6:07 PM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 18:07:19 -0500

Technically and regulatory, what your first line told you is correct, you Must be at your duty station at the end of your pass, then transition to leave. At this point, all you can do is speak to your 1SG or Commander - (I strongly suggest you go the 1SG route) and present your case and see if they will make an exception to regulation for your situation. Commanders CAN make exceptions to regulatory guidance for extenuating circumstances. Be warned though, the 1SG or Commander can just as easily stick to regulatory guidance, in which case you will have to return to post, sign out, and possibly be ordered to rest for 8 hours before returning.

Response by SGT Jonathan Persons made Mar 7 at 2021 6:42 PM

SGT Jonathan Persons — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 18:42:18 -0500

As others have mentioned, regulations do require that you be physically present to sign out on leave.

First line supervisor to me is a team leader. Talk to your squad leader or the next higher individual in your NCO support chain and, that it would be a 16 hour round trip, point out the possible downsides in regards to risk management, and request an exception to policy from the commander.

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Mar 7 at 2021 6:43 PM

SGT Lorenzo Nieto — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 18:43:32 -0500

Man up just do it cut the crap, you’ll be the better man you will also command respect from your CO,first sgt. life is hard don’t make it harder for your self, god bless you brother.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Mar 7 at 2021 6:59 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 18:59:38 -0500

I would be on the phone with the Red Cross, someone is yanking your chain

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Mar 7 at 2021 7:00 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 19:00:22 -0500

Just replying here to wish you and your family condolences

Response by MSG Gary Eckert made Mar 7 at 2021 7:05 PM

MSG Gary Eckert — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 19:05:07 -0500

As long as your Commander approves an extension you do not have drive all the way back. The downside if you do not return, the entire absence is charged to leave. I would probably trade the leave to avoid the drive.

Response by SPC Curtis Underwood made Mar 7 at 2021 7:11 PM

SPC Curtis Underwood — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 19:11:05 -0500

Call your commanding officer. They will usually work with you and figure a way out for you, maybe sending you fax to sign and send back something like that.

Response by LTC David Brown made Mar 8 at 2021 9:29 AM

LTC David Brown — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 09:29:00 -0500

My opinion is make sure to dot the “I” and cross the “T”. Everybody may think it is fine to bend rules etc. BUT and this is a big BUT if you get hurt and need hospital treatment etc guess who may pay for it because line of duty may be missing? I am sorry to hear of your loss. Stay safe and May God comfort your family as you deal with your loss.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Mar 8 at 2021 9:31 AM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 09:31:21 -0500

Contact CoC.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 8 at 2021 12:31 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 12:31:21 -0500

Talk to your first sergeant. I can't advise you on passes. Officers don't normally get a pass the way enlisted personnel do in the Air Force.

Do leave forms currently exist within an automated system anyway? Could they be electronically signed? Alternatively, maybe the orderly room could send you the leave form as an e-mail attachment, you could print it, sign it, take a picture or scan the signed form and send it back. Leverage technology. Does the leave form really require a "wet signature?" Heck I refinanced my house and never signed a real piece of paper. Everything was electronic.