Can a 1SG deny leave with no “Army reasoning”?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 22:00:24 -0400

Serious question here and getting mixed answers about it. I’ve recently requested 29 days of leave. I know this seems like a lot of leave at once however it’s been awhile since I’ve taken significant leave. I currently have 60 leave days. Last year I lost 10 use/lose leave days because I was on mission. I’m about to lose 3 more. During this time that I have requested my squad will be on mission without me because I have a predetermined BLC date that would interfere. It’s been noted in my leave form that I am staying local to ensure I still attend my BDE PT test for BLC. It has been approved by my PSG and my PL already, can 1sgt kick it back without any “Army” reason?

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Sep 9 at 2019 10:17 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 22:17:44 -0400

A 1SG can neither deny nor approve a leave. The 1SG can only recommend denial or approval to the Commander. Only a Commander has the authority to make that call.

Response by MSG Gary Eckert made Sep 10 at 2019 8:13 AM

MSG Gary Eckert — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 08:13:44 -0400

There is an ALARACT out that addresses this issue in response to the independent financial audit that the Army is under (the audit is pretty far reaching) and the ALARACT 041/2019 is very specific.
" 3. (U) IN ACCORDANCE WITH AR 600-8-10, THE UNIT COMMANDER OR DESIGNEE IS THE APPROVAL AUTHORITY FOR ORDINARY LEAVE REQUESTS. IF THE COMMANDER OR DESIGNEE DISAPPROVE A SOLDIER'S LEAVE REQUEST, THE COMMANDER MUST STATE REASON ON DA FORM 31, BLOCK 17, IF NOT ALREADY STATED BY RECOMMENDING SUPERVISOR. DIGITAL SIGNATURES ARE AUTHORIZED AS LONG AS THE DATE IS INCLUDED WITH SIGNATURE"
While the ALARACT won't keep you Commander from disapproving the leave, and Commanders have wide latitude in making these decisions, it will force him to document the reason. If you then lose leave, you can request the leave be reinstated based on the disapproved leave.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2019 8:14 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 08:14:11 -0400

Not sure what you mean by an "Army" reason. In any case, it is the Commander that approves or denies leave, 1SG's are just recommending. That being said, if you PSG has already recommended you be allowed, there is no reason why you can't follow up with him/your PL to find out what the problem is and when you will be allowed to take leave so not to lose it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2019 11:45 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 11:45:30 -0400

The 1SG should not be denying leave. He should be forwarding the packet to your commander, with his recommendation. Chances are good the commander will agree with that recommendation but the Army says you are owed an answer. Tread carefully, of course, but don’t be afraid to be an advocate for yourself here.

The other recommendation I could give you is if you’re just staying local and taking leave to use leave, submit two packets of smaller blocks with a duty period in between, say 14 days leave, a week of work and 14 more days leave. Ask your chain of command to help you come up with an agreeable solution. But keep asking until you get an answer.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2019 2:19 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Sep 2019 14:19:17 -0400

For anyone following this I got word back today. The only reasoning they would give me is “I won’t approve more than 14 days”