Can a leave form be stopped before the Commander's approval/denial?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 07:50:15 -0500

IAW AR 600-8-10 table 4-2 a Soldier will obtain chain of command recommendation in block 12 and forward to unit commander for approval.
(or designee) for approval.
My question is where can I find what happens when the leave is not recommended and can a supervisor refuse to process it?

Response by SGT Russell Wickham made Dec 20 at 2017 8:23 AM

SGT Russell Wickham — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 08:23:52 -0500

Leave is a privilege, but from my understanding of the regulation, it is the commanders decision whether to approve or deny. In units I worked in, the commander relied on the input from the supervisor whether to approve or deny, but the SM had the right to request leave and have his/her case reviewed. More than once I had a commander make a blanket announcement that all leave requests would be denied, and stated not to submit them except for emergency leave. So long as they submit a completed packet, and so long as the commander has not issued a statement specifically denying leave, I don't believe you can refuse to submit it. Difficult SMs I've dealt with were quick to go to IG if the process was not followed to the letter of the regulation, and it sounds like you have a difficult SM.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2017 8:54 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 08:54:35 -0500

The leave approval authority has the final say!!! Supervisors, PSGs, 1SGs, etc. can recommend disapproval all they want, but it has to go to the approval authority for final disposition.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Dec 20 at 2017 9:58 AM

LTC Kevin B. — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 09:58:44 -0500

No. Commanders are the only people who have the authority to approve or deny leave. However, the process often gets messed up. Many subordinate leaders will often stop a leave request before reaching the Commander's desk if they don't recommend their approval. They think that's appropriate, but it's not. They should forward the request to the Commander with their recommendation for disapproval, and then let the Commander make the decision (that is vested within their authority).

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2017 10:25 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 10:25:51 -0500

One time I denied a pass for one of my soldiers in my first unit. It was after our second deployment maybe even after block leave. He wanted to take a 4 day pass to Ireland to see his girlfriend he met while he was on R&R in Europe during the deployment. I said that a 4 day pass shouldn't be used to go out of the country - but then he also screwed up by going out on a Tues night with the other SPC in our section and getting shitfaced drunk off base. I got a nice 2 am wake up call from him drunk as shit saying the other SPC was passed out. I thought they were in the barracks so I said get him to his room. Oh no they were in Seattle (we were at Lewis). They show up to formation and I guarantee they're still drunk. I got to work on counselings but then our NCOIC (who also had been my DS) said the 1SG wanted them to get breathalyzers. Well no one in the unit was UPL recertified or something. Rear D was on their block leave. The other BN we waited around for their UPL and no show so I called 1SG and said I was about to take them to the MP station. She said "oh no I just wanted to scare them." My soldier that I'd had for the last two years was being a little smartass on the way back to BN. The other one was scared as hell. My soldier was pissing me off. I counseled both of them. The other one was about to cry when I counseled him. He really hadn't been in trouble. My other soldier oh he was a little shit. Arguing with me. I said I wasn't going to approve his pass. On the leave form I put disapproval for supervisor recommendation. The commander approved it. I even sent a justification with submitting it.

Oh and he was promotable my first soldier and I wanted to get his promotable status removed but NCOIC said that the leadership wanted to keep it at the lowest levels. This wasn't the first time he messed up either. He also tried to play mommy/daddy between me and the NCOIC - who didn't go for it. He came and told me what the soldier said to him trying to play us against each other.

I didn't refuse to process it. But I did disapprove it. Not that it mattered in that case.

He did end up marrying that girl. I assume they still are. I don't know why she married hm. She was 26 then he was 20. She had a Master's. Good job. He was just a punk kid at the time. I guess.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Dec 20 at 2017 12:49 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 12:49:52 -0500

Speaking as a former Senior NCO, you can put in for leave till the cows come home and it must be forwarded to the CDR. And based on the unit's leave policy and mission and your ACTIONS, your chain of NCO/Command can object/counsel denial for a long time. If the Commander has denied it, it is probably in a file in the orderly room, just so barracks lawyers can't go to the IG. Now if you were denied leave, you could use the open door policy with the 1Sg/CO to see why, or just ask your Plt LDR/PSG