Are my leaves gonna be wasted?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 19:33:30 -0400

Currently I'm in a process of medboard.
I haven't seen my family for over 2 years and I want to go and visit them.
At first, I was told that I can use my leave to go home when I'm done with all the physical VA appointments and in a situation of just waiting for to hear back from the VA with percentage.
We all know this is months of process of me just waiting, so I understood that.
I also have finished my SFLTAP appointments as well.

But now. my company 1st sgt said that those who are on medboard process are not allowed to take leave at all....
So I got 41 days of leave, and 74 ets leave left yet I can't use it.
I was told that I could use it when I'm just sitting and waiting for my percentage, but now I can't even use my leave at all.
As soon as I hear back from the VA with my percentage, I'll start clearing and will be medically discharged right away.
So there is no point of ETS leave as well since I'm getting medically discharged right away after clearing when I hear my percentage back.

Since my 1st sgt is not approving any leaves during medboard process, does this mean that all my 41 days of leaves and 74 ets leaves are just gonna go to a waste now?

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Aug 5 at 2021 7:37 PM

Cpl Vic Burk — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 19:37:22 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member May not be what you want but you should get paid for them anyways. That is assuming they have not paid you for your leave upon a reenlistment previously.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2021 8:46 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 20:46:51 -0400

A 1SG does not approve or disapprove leave.
Your commander does that.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2021 5:01 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 05:01:43 -0400

Your ETS balance is only accurate if you were going to ETS on your current ETS date, which you will not.

When you receive your ratings you will receive a new ETS date, usually around 90 days. That is the time that you have to complete TAP, clear, and take transition leave, and sell any leave you can't fit into that period. The amount of leave you will have will be whatever you have on your separation date plus 2.5 days for every month up to your new ETS.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2021 6:12 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 06:12:46 -0400

Please take note of what SFC Private RallyPoint Member said. That ETS Balance isn't just leave you get to take. It is the leave days you would have if you served your contract out to ETS. You can't take leave days you haven't earned or have the required obligation time to earn back. Your accrued leave is all you can take

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Aug 6 at 2021 9:21 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 09:21:46 -0400

Leave requests need to be routed through your case manager to ensure you don't delay the process but there is not a prohibition on MEDBoard folks when it comes to leave. There are a few things to consider though. Even after you receive your adjusted ETS you could request an extension to push you to 6 or 12 months to give you more time if needed. Also understand your ETS leave dates won't reflect your reality because you will be getting a new ETS. Also, your new ETS will be generated with your existing leave days in consideration to allow for terminal leave. If you want to take leave sooner rather than later just talk to your PEBLO and case manager but you will also have terminal as well.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2021 1:29 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 13:29:27 -0400

Technically, the commander is the one who approves leave. Not the 1SG. The 1SG advises the commander on these things, yes.

Did you bring this up to the commander? What's the commander's policy on leave?

Also see SFC Boyd's comment.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 6 at 2021 11:32 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 23:32:42 -0400

Did you get the army %? Are you working with a VA rep?