Posted on Jan 22, 2016
Has the military stopped paying for plane tickets home for leave, while Service Member is deployed?
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An organization in my local area started a charity to help send Service Members home while on leave from deployments. But I've always known that the military paid for the plane ticket from the deployed country to the destination of their choosing. Has this changed in the last 10 years or so?
Family
Deployment
Leave
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 23
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Depends on location and length of tour. Our guys in Afghanistan on 12 month orders get mid-tour with flights paid. I know Soldiers in Kuwait right now that have to pay their own flights if they want to take mid-tour leave as well as getting charged for the leave.
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SGM Erik Marquez
Gaylene Rimstad - Tiffany Cowan - Dana Davis -
The answer is, It depends...
Where and what the specified tour length is.
So its not a one size fits all answer.
This is the current G1 fact page for the R&R program.http://www.armyg1.army.mil/randr/faq.asp#FAQSec2
Some Key points..
"Are there differences in the R&R Leave Program for Active Duty, National Guard, or Reserve personnel? Does one component have priority over another?
No. Service members from all components who are deployed are on active duty and have the same opportunity for R&R leave, except that mobilized National Guard or Reserve Soldiers need only be in theater 270 days to qualify, instead of a full year as for the Active Component. There is no prioritization based on component."
and
"Who is eligible for the R&R Leave Program and where can they take leave?
All service members and Department of Defense civilians who meet the following conditions are eligible.
Members who are deployed to a 12-month tour of duty in the Central Command area in one of the 17 designated countries. Reservists must be on a 1-year mobilization and serve at least 270 days of continuous duty within theater.
Members who are serving in an area specifically designated by Department of Defense as an area authorized Imminent Danger and Hazardous Duty Pay.
All individuals should check with their commander to determine their eligibility."
As you can see, there are requirement for the tour length and location
I have no doubt there is a more current memo and another documents that establishe the business rules for the program. I do not have access to the G1 site for those current docs however
The answer is, It depends...
Where and what the specified tour length is.
So its not a one size fits all answer.
This is the current G1 fact page for the R&R program.http://www.armyg1.army.mil/randr/faq.asp#FAQSec2
Some Key points..
"Are there differences in the R&R Leave Program for Active Duty, National Guard, or Reserve personnel? Does one component have priority over another?
No. Service members from all components who are deployed are on active duty and have the same opportunity for R&R leave, except that mobilized National Guard or Reserve Soldiers need only be in theater 270 days to qualify, instead of a full year as for the Active Component. There is no prioritization based on component."
and
"Who is eligible for the R&R Leave Program and where can they take leave?
All service members and Department of Defense civilians who meet the following conditions are eligible.
Members who are deployed to a 12-month tour of duty in the Central Command area in one of the 17 designated countries. Reservists must be on a 1-year mobilization and serve at least 270 days of continuous duty within theater.
Members who are serving in an area specifically designated by Department of Defense as an area authorized Imminent Danger and Hazardous Duty Pay.
All individuals should check with their commander to determine their eligibility."
As you can see, there are requirement for the tour length and location
I have no doubt there is a more current memo and another documents that establishe the business rules for the program. I do not have access to the G1 site for those current docs however
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1LT Ryan Millican There are strict requirements regarding Non-Chargeable Leave and R&R. Several factors are weighed in determining whether a service member qualifies for NCR&R and free transport. What country are they in? How long will they be boots on the ground? What do their orders say?
That said, service members can always utilize Space-A travel once on leave to fly to central hubs and then pay for onward transportation from those points. The best means of determining eligibility is checking with your personnel shop (J1/G1/S1).
That said, service members can always utilize Space-A travel once on leave to fly to central hubs and then pay for onward transportation from those points. The best means of determining eligibility is checking with your personnel shop (J1/G1/S1).
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Dana Davis
I have one saying the same rhing as Stacies is saying. Telling me he has been in the service since 2000. And has been on Nigeria for almost 5. I haven't sent any money yet. How do I report him if he ia a fraud.
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Dana Davis
Tryjng to dind out why I would have to pay 1200 for him to come home if he is in the service. He says his commander will get the money and let him know when he can go home
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Tiffany Cowan
I am dealing with the same thing. I thought this was paid for. Can someone help with this?
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SFC Bennett is right. Kuwait, where I am deployed now, is chargeable leave and you must pay for transportation. You are allowed to use the rotator but it is space A and you can get bumped. In Iraq and Afghanistan the leave and flight is covered.
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Juan B Rodriguez
Good afternoon if someone wants to fly from iraq to different states instead of there home state do they have to pay for it
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Elizabeth Barr
What about the army reserves in Lagos Nigeria are their flights covered right now? Cause I was told he had to cover his own and his commander going go pay almost all of it but 375 dollars? And if he does have to pay for it is there anyone who can help him go home for Christmas?
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LTC John Shaw
Elizabeth Barr I am going through demobilization and have no way to check or assist your question. It seems as if the command is trying to assist. The best place to start is for the family to contact the Red Cross. Good luck and God bless.
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