Can my squad leader decline my request for a 4-day pass? Is there still a chance that my Commander might approve it?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 19:47:08 -0400

Hypothetically speaking. If i drop a packet for a 4 day pass that I was given for doing barge detail (comp day) and my squad leader said he's gonna decline it. Is there still a chance for it to be accepted by my commander and 1sgt?

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2018 9:51 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Jun 2018 09:51:09 -0400

The commander is the one that can deny a pass. Usually the commander is going to listen to recommendations from the 1SG and subordinate NCOs, but he/she is the only one that can actually turn it down. I always recommend using your CoC and trying to not make waves unless necessary. But if your squad leader refuses to submit the packet, then I suggest using the chain of command to bring that to the attention of the PSG, PL, etc.

Response by MSG Al S made Jun 24 at 2018 11:39 PM

MSG Al S — Sun, 24 Jun 2018 23:39:35 -0400

Squad Leader can always recommend denial, but commander is final approval authority.... thus the commander is also the final denial authority....

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2018 3:34 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 15:34:00 -0400

I would recommend that you talk to your squad leader about the reason or reasons for him to deny a pass. If he is being unreasonable, I would ask him to forward the action with his recommendation to your 1SG and Commander. Then, I would ask the Commander to use his opened-door policy.

Response by SSG Michael Hathaway made Jul 26 at 2018 3:44 PM

SSG Michael Hathaway — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 15:44:57 -0400

As others have stated, the commander is the only one who can officially approve or deny a DA31. All others involved are recommendations for approval or denial. However, a commander can delegate this authority to a supervisor. Often the commanders will listen to the requestors leadership when determining a pass/leave packet. Keep in mind that if your packet is denied, according to regs, "If disapproved, state reason on DA Form 31, block 17, if not already stated by recommending supervisor" from Table 12-2, AR 600-8-10. To echo a previous post, try not to rock the boat if you can help it. But if it's super important leave, like emergency leave, then use your CoC.

One thing I learned from AR 600-8-10
"Commanders should not disapprove emergency leave based solely on a lack of a Red Cross message." So those times I hear that a SM needs a Red Cross message in order to request emergency leave is false, good to know. I have encountered this a few times and the SM was not able to even request leave until such message is received. Twice that resulted in the SM missing that crucial last day to say good-bye. "The unit may request verification through the Field Director, American Red Cross (AMCROSS) or, if necessary, from the military activity nearest the location of the emergency, if they doubt the validity of a situation or of the necessity of the Soldier’s presence."

Response by CW4 Angel C. made Jul 26 at 2018 6:54 PM

CW4 Angel C. — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 18:54:27 -0400

He can recommend no and everyone else in the COC will likely follow suit. Unless of course there’s some kind of unfairness going on. Then you might want to talk to your Platoon SGT and PL and point it out.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2018 11:05 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 23:05:47 -0400

The CO and 1SG always have the final word, however most of them will follow the recommendations of the 1st line leader as long as it is justified and not a personal attack.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 27 at 2018 9:19 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 09:19:05 -0400

Possibly, but the Sqd Ldr may have manning reasons, and you will have to live with going over his head.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2018 11:09 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 11:09:43 -0400

Your squad leader can deny it but it still has to go threw your platoon Sgt and leader. It is still possible that your commander and 1sgt can still approve it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2018 11:18 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 11:18:12 -0400

The commanders is the final authority so yes the commander could approve it if your squad leader denies it.

I had a soldier put in a 4 day pass to go to Ireland to see his girlfriend (he met this girl while he was on R&R in Iraq - they did end up married. Maybe they still are I don't know). I thought it was ridiculous to go that far on a 4 day and he was very irresponsible. I denied it. The commander approved it. That was after me telling the 1SG why I disapproved.

However, he then proceeded to be an idiot and go out and get shitfaced drunk on a Tues night before the 4 day, putting another soldier at risk, and had the balls to ask me if he was still getting his pass. I said hell no and the commander pulled it too. He's lucky he didn't get in trouble because he was still drunk at formation. But my leadership wanted to keep it at the lowest level and he got counseled.

Response by SGT Matthew Schenkenfelder made Jul 28 at 2018 9:40 PM

SGT Matthew Schenkenfelder — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 21:40:19 -0400

If your squad leader denied it than it's dead. Leave it alone and move on before you did your hole deeper and wind up with an Article 15

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made May 13 at 2019 12:34 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Mon, 13 May 2019 12:34:20 -0400

PFC Private RallyPoint Member " my squad leader said he's gonna decline it."
Your squad leader misspoke, or is confused as to his authority.
As others have stated, the approval authority is the commander or the person he delegates the authority to.
That said, if a squad leader recommends denial of the pass, shows cause for it and mitigation as to how it can be approved at a later time... a good command team is going to go along with that recommendation.
Its not uncommon though for a low level leader to, not see the forest for the trees .
To that Squad leader, they see tasks assigned, training planned and do not see a path for you to take a pass so recommend to deny the pass request.. The PSG or 1SG look at the same situation, know the detail that squad is tasked with over the pass period requested, know task can easily be handled by a squad short one person, and recommends to the CDR (or the SM who it was delegated to, say the 1SG for all 3 day passes) for approval of the pass.
That is not a denouncement of the squad leaders decision to deny the pass in of itself, so I would caution assuming so.