Can a unit deny ETS terminal leave over 30 days because they are deploying and my leave falls when they are deployed?

2017-07-13T21:33:23-04:00

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jul 13 at 2017 9:36 PM

2017-07-13T21:36:44-04:00

In cases like this, you should be able to request an exception to a policy (if there is one for this) that is prohibiting you from taking the leave that you have earned. When I was on ETS leave, I had 90+ days saved up (long deployment) and I put in for an exception to policy to allow for me to take that long, and the first O-6 in my chain approved it without much hassle. Having said all this, perhaps someone else on RP knows more details here.

Response by MSgt Jason McClish made Jul 13 at 2017 9:52 PM

2017-07-13T21:52:09-04:00

I don't know for sure as Army rules are different, but the Air Force probably wouldn't hang you out to dry on this. Though the Army deploys in units, I'd imagine there will be some sort of rear detachment left behind. I couldn't foresee an O-6 needing to approve leave you've already earned and can obviously take since leave is a right, not a privilege, coupled with you having zero mission readiness to the unit. You should already have some sort of "code" on your file stating this. You should be able to submit your terminal leave and have it approved before the unit deploys. I hope that's the case for you and not some long drawn out nightmare. Good luck!

Response by CPO Glenn Moss made Jul 13 at 2017 9:52 PM

2017-07-13T21:52:25-04:00

The straight up answer to your question is "Yes, your 'terminal leave' can be denied."

To set everybody straight here, there is no such thing as "terminal leave". It's not written into any rules or regulations, it's not a "right", or anything of the like.

Terminal leave is just a phrase that most people use to describe a leave period they wish to take at, or near, the end of their term of service, typically used for job hunting, job interviews, moving preparations, etc. It's just "regular leave" that people have given the name "terminal leave".

Leave is subject to approval and disapproval based on the needs of the service, and command, to which a servicemember is attached. This does not change just because it's for "terminal leave".

NOTE: Don't confuse this discussion with, for example, "medical leave". Medical leave has its own requirements.

I don't know what the other service equivalents are, but NAVREGS Article 1157 explicitly says "Leave and liberty will be granted to the maximum extent practicable."

It does not say it WILL be granted...it says it will be granted TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PRACTICABLE. That makes it conditional upon the needs of your command.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jul 14 at 2017 12:05 AM

2017-07-14T00:05:09-04:00

Honestly man just ask your Top.

Response by SPC Anthony Schepis made Jul 15 at 2017 3:37 AM

2017-07-15T03:37:43-04:00

Ridiculous, my terminal leave was during my brigades deployment and it got approved by my battalion commander. Don't let them screw you over something you earned.

Response by SGT Anna Kleinschmidt made Jul 15 at 2017 5:55 AM

2017-07-15T05:55:26-04:00

Most of the time they will approve it. The only reason they may decide not to is if you are mission criticize and your replacement has not arrived or been trained.

Response by CPL Any Jim made Apr 26 at 2018 12:53 AM

2018-04-26T00:53:09-04:00

Of course a CPT would get thier leave approaved by an 0-6 or higher with in few days: well thats how Army works? Best advice i can give if an e-4 or below , is use 600-8-10, sell 60 days of leave and not even think , worry or fantasize about terminal leave. Just use you ETS date as final day date in service! An to be noted its not that officers are better treated : its that they signature counts & off work side by side , i.e. meetings where paperwork can get signed. E-4 or below you have to depend on nco as middelman : b/c thay signature is of no importance. Ask for terminal leave and could have an nco swear they can give you an article 15 and ruin you day : when actually all an nco can do is fudge article 15 paperwork & beg commander to sign off on his or her recomindation? When it is an nco task but instead nco chose best for morale is hostile environment & extra stress for commander and paper work from they busy schedule of running a company or battalion ....

Response by CPL Any Jim made Apr 26 at 2018 1:06 AM

2018-04-26T01:06:59-04:00

Quick question for CPT Moss ? If SM is refused monthly counseling last 12 months in unit before ETS date? Since counselings and monthly counselings is used as an effective tool for Commanders to ensure that all members of their command recieve timely performance counseling. Can the SM terminal leave be approaved or is ETSing SM still at the mercy of commander and commander should still be able to use Army needs as reason for approval of transtion leave ....

Response by CPL Any Jim made Apr 26 at 2018 1:12 AM

2018-04-26T01:12:20-04:00

CPT MOSS , biggest question pertainting to terminal leave is : if command does disapproave terminal leave with in how many days of recieving terminal leave paper work? If a SM is waiting over 30 days for approval : is that accepteable? & if terminal leave is denyed and SM keeps on truckin and being a solider , is it fair for if mission is caught up to speed should it be a focus of command to get SM under 60 days , so no paid leave is lost at ETS ?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 26 at 2018 11:20 AM

2018-04-26T11:20:41-04:00

Basically- they can deny you leave at anytime as long as it doesn't end up costing you leave when the year is up (over 60 days). With that said- something is not kosher here. 1. Do you have the leave days needed to cover it, it isn't free you know? 2. If your ETS falls before or just after deployment- then they have already factored you out of the unit needs. If the ETS falls near the end of deployment or recovery, then they have the option to extend you, tho I understand that is not the current norm now. All of this should have been checked when the unit received deployment alert/orders.

Response by CPL Any Jim made May 16 at 2018 8:29 AM

2018-05-16T08:29:02-04:00

CPO glen ross ! May i ask your circumstances? Why were you only allowed 3 transitions leave days? What was you mission that dictated & granted you 3 TRANSTION leave days? Also, was your transtion leave form denyed at any time; and if so how long was it before you were let known and show you leave form was denyed?

Response by CPL Any Jim made May 16 at 2018 8:30 AM

2018-05-16T08:30:07-04:00

YOU'VE EARNED IT ! Is not a right is so true ! Lmaooooo

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2021 10:06 PM

2021-09-13T22:06:50-04:00

Can my battalion deny 60 days to terminal/ETS leave because of them needing “numbers” at the National training center? Really need help with this issue because I need these 60 days to prepare my house for rent, move, find a job, and start school. Not to mention all that follows with clearing the instillation/ Army.