Posted on Mar 7, 2021
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?
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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?
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?
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Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 13
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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.
"....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.
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SPC (Join to see)
Thank you for that. I’m fine with the entire absence being treated as leave. I just don’t want to drive 8 hours just to turn around and drive right back only to do again at the conclusion of the funeral.
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SFC Casey O'Mally
SPC (Join to see) ,
LTC Jason Mackay hit the nail squarely on the head. I was going to say almost exactly the same thing. The only thing that I will add is that both my roles as a PSG and as an orderly room NCO, I have processed this type of things more often than you would think. As LTC Mackay said it is ENTIRELY up to the Commander. But, if the Commander approves, this IS something that the paperwork can be done after to catch up.
I would recommend going through your PSG. If your PSG has any kind of working relationship with the Company at all, (s)he should be able to explain the situation to 1SG and CDR and get a VOCO (if the Commander approves, of course). The PSG will pass that along to you, along with VERY specific instructions regarding expectations of you for reporting back in (and possibly even other requirements, such as providing proof of attendance - I have seen stranger things). The PSG will then get the ball rolling with the paperwork and have it ready for you to sign when you return.
At least that is the way it would be handled in MY Platoon (or my orderly room).
LTC Jason Mackay hit the nail squarely on the head. I was going to say almost exactly the same thing. The only thing that I will add is that both my roles as a PSG and as an orderly room NCO, I have processed this type of things more often than you would think. As LTC Mackay said it is ENTIRELY up to the Commander. But, if the Commander approves, this IS something that the paperwork can be done after to catch up.
I would recommend going through your PSG. If your PSG has any kind of working relationship with the Company at all, (s)he should be able to explain the situation to 1SG and CDR and get a VOCO (if the Commander approves, of course). The PSG will pass that along to you, along with VERY specific instructions regarding expectations of you for reporting back in (and possibly even other requirements, such as providing proof of attendance - I have seen stranger things). The PSG will then get the ball rolling with the paperwork and have it ready for you to sign when you return.
At least that is the way it would be handled in MY Platoon (or my orderly room).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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SPC (Join to see)
Tracking the Red Cross is only for verification. I was told I was good to stay for the funeral. I just have to return and sign out on leave to attend and that’s what is bothering me.
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SSG Bill McCoy
SPC (Join to see) - Excellent - always good to see when any service member gets support from his own unit.
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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.
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