For what is the Army not allowed to charge you leave?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 21:09:36 -0500

I'm currently on mission in a fairly remote part of the CONUS. With many medical specialists not being immediately available within the area, we would have to travel out of town for anything not covered by the on base docs. A memo was just put out to us saying that if we have medical appointments, they would charge us leave for the time we're gone. I've heard from an E-5 in the past that medical appointments can't be charged to leave; so i'm trying to figure out if it's true or not. I went looking through the reg, but I couldn't make heads or tails of most of it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2018 10:56 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 22:56:49 -0500

That is just dirty.... Unless your medical appointment is something optional like PRK, your medical appointments and referrals are your place of duty. If you have to travel, you can be placed on medical tdy for the trip. Happens all the time with OCONUS units for people who need specialty care. You should never be charged leave for your medical appointments.
I would suggest asking for an IG review from the higher command than the memo. At least a division level that's run by a general.

Response by Maj John Bell made Dec 10 at 2018 11:19 PM

Maj John Bell — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 23:19:38 -0500

Something is not right.

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Dec 11 at 2018 12:00 AM

SSG Laurie Mullen — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 00:00:35 -0500

SFC Boyd is right. When I was stationed at Ft Hood I had to go to Ft Sam in San Antonio for dermatology appointments. During one week I had to go down there three times. If I had taken the shuttle bus I would have been gone for the ENTIRE day. I wasn't charged any leave for those appointments.

Response by Maj John Bell made Dec 11 at 2018 7:57 AM

Maj John Bell — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 07:57:54 -0500

Is the Command authority that put out the memo co-located in your "fairly remote part of the CONUS?" If so, is that the highest level of command in your chain of command at the remote post? Was the memo put out over the signature of an officer? If so, company grade, field grade, or flag?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2018 10:42 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 10:42:39 -0500

Share the memo, or the exact wording.