How does terminal leave work? Does the Army give you extra days on top of what you saved up or is it strictly based on your saved leave days?

You'll be able to use UP TO the days you've earned (ETS Balance)...the Army does not give anything you do not earn.

Also, it's Transition Leave, not Terminal Leave.

since it appears that everyone wants to just copy and paste the vague regulation, here is an answer in plain english: if you are simply ets'ing (end of your contract/service obligation) then you will be eligible to take up to the number of days listed in the "ets bal" section of your les. based on my experience, that number only increases when you reenlist, and decreases every time you take normal leave.

if you are leaving the service for any other reason (chapter, meb, etc.) you may only use the number of days listed in the "cr bal" section on your les. as stated by someone before, you will continue to earn leave while on leave if you're using these days, so keep that in mind when calculating the number of days you request.

in either situation, your commander has to approve your request for terminal/transition leave, and may deny it altogether or limit you to a certain number of days based on unit policy. you will continue to be paid your normal pay and entitlements (including bah and bas since you will not be living in the barracks) while on leave. if you choose to sell any of your remaining leave days, you will only be paid your base pay and it will be taxed at a rate somewhere around 25%.

every unit may do things slightly differently, but you should go to a finance brief before you start clearing where you can get help with specific questions you have. hope this helps!

Was based on days saved the last time I knew.

Transition Leave

Transition leave was formerly called terminal leave. Rules used to request and steps to request transition leave.
Rules used to request transition leave

Transition leave (formerly called terminal leave) is a chargeable leave granted together with transition from the Service, including retirement.

The unit commander or designee is the approval authority for transition leave requests.

Leave will not be granted if it exceeds that accrued or to be accrued between the date of approval and date of transition. (See paras 5-15 and 5-33 for exceptions.)

Leave granted must not interfere with operational requirements, timely processing, or transition processing.

Leave may be granted for soldiers stationed overseas returning to CONUS or area of residence.

Soldiers stationed in CONUS (or OCONUS) will complete processing at an authorized and directed transition activity before beginning leave. As an exception, soldiers retiring and requesting a location of personal choice transition point will complete processing at a designated U.S. Army Transition Point prior to departing on leave.

The established transition date may be extended only for soldiers pending physical disability (AR 635-40). This allows them to use their accrued leave as transition leave, provided they cannot sell or cash in leave to the Government. Since 10 February 1976, soldiers can sell or cash in no more than 60 days leave one time during a military career, except as authorized by Section 501 of Title 37 U.S.C as implemented by the DODFMR. The following are examples of a soldier who has been identified for disability separation and has 60 days of leave. These examples show whether the soldier must sell or cash in his or her leave, may use his or her leave as transition leave, or a combination of both.

The soldier cashed in 60 days of accrued leave on 1 May 1977. The soldier may take 60 days of accrued leave plus any leave earned while on leave.
On 1 April 1976, the soldier cashed in 30 days of accrued leave. The soldier can cash in 30 of his or her 60 days of accrued leave and use the remaining 30 days of leave plus any leave accrued while on leave.
On 1 March 1975, the soldier cashed in 60 days of leave. The soldier must cash in the entire 60 days leave, the same as a soldier who has not cashed in any leave.
Leave will be terminated at 2400 on day of transition (concurrent with transition). It may also end upon reporting to the designated U.S. Army Transition Point not earlier than the reporting date specified on the soldier's order, upon return to previous unit of assignment, upon hospitalization, or upon death.



Steps to request transition (terminal) leave:

Step Work Center Required Action
1 Soldier When requesting transition leave, complete DA Form 31, blocks 2 through 11 (chap 12 AR 600-8-10).
2 Soldier Check "other" on DA Form 31, block 7. After "other", post transition.
3 Unit See travel allowances specified in AR 635-10, paragraph 2-18, and DFAS-IN 37-1. (Direct travel questions to your local transportation or travel office.)
4 Unit Advise soldier that leave settlement is made on actual transition date.
5 Soldier Notify a reliable person of your itinerary and request that person to notify transfer point should you become; for example, hospitalized, or injured, or die before leave.
6 Soldier On last day of leave, call transfer point to let them know you are alive and well.
7 Unit Losing unit advise soldier to do step 5 and 6 above.
8 Unit Follow leave processing procedures in paragraph 12-1 AR 600-8-10.
9 BNS1 Receive leave request from unit and follow transition leave processing procedures in paragraph 12-17 AR 600-8-10.
Reference: AR 600-8-10

SPC Dominque Lee -AR 600-8-10. Eliminate any confusion and seek clarity, be well.
http://www.apd.army.mil/Search/ePubsSearch/ePubsSearchDownloadPage.aspx?docID=0902c851800109f5

Strictly based on the number of days you accumulate when you ETS.

Whatever you've banked, you can use. That's the deal.

It all depends on how many days you have saved from the balance on your erb I had 90 days saved and my 1sg tried making me sell some back they can't actually make you they can only suggest so I was paid for 3 mo after I left active duty

It's based strictly on your days saved up unless you qualify for extra days which is usually if you are retiring. But with terminal, you are basically taking leave up until your EAS date. You are still getting paid, but you don't have to do military things anymore. No Sunday haircuts. No PT formations. It's basically as if your EAS came that much more earlier. It's helpful for getting out of the military because this gives you extra time to find a job or start moving back home or wherever you are choosing to live.

It is based on the amount of leave that you have saved up at the date of your transition, you can in some cases apply for permissive TDY in conjunction with your terminal leave.