Military Use or Lose Leave: Create a 'Leave Pool'?

2014-06-30T18:47:02-04:00

Instead of 'lost leave days' disappearing into oblivion (or wherever they go), should the military create a 'Leave Pool' to assist service members that need to take extended leave?

What are other examples that the military could do to productively utilize servicemembers' 'lost leave days'?

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jun 30 at 2014 6:48 PM

2014-06-30T18:48:13-04:00

I'd be for it. If our DoD civilians can donate leave, why can't we?

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Jun 30 at 2014 8:37 PM

2014-06-30T20:37:56-04:00

I responded to a similar post several months ago in a similar manner..Leave DOES have a cost (whether it's taken - cost in loss of man-hours worked; or sold or transferred - cost in dollars or man-hours).. in the current environment cost is driving the train. How long do you think it would take for Congress to begin to question whether 30 days leave per year is needed? Especially with service members banking huge amounts of accumulated leave; or selling or transferring blocks of leave. I believe this is a prime example of "be careful what you ask for.... you just might get it."
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Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2014 8:42 PM

2014-06-30T20:42:08-04:00

That's actually a good idea, when I was at my last assignment before reclassing, there were a few times that both military and civilians wanted to take leave for various reasons but were unable to do so.

Something like this would help a lot of folks out.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 7:37 AM

2015-02-05T07:37:56-05:00

Some Soldiers would abuse the crap out of this Idea. Just like the Profile excuse and the Sick Call excuse. It happens. But if there was a way to do this without abuse I would be all for it. I have lost leave days twice in my 19 years. not many..just a couple here and couple over there!

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 5 at 2015 7:41 AM

2015-02-05T07:41:39-05:00

This idea is very common in the civilian workforce and I think it would be an excellent idea with the proper guidelines and criteria. For example, a service member must exhaust all of their leave prior to applying for assistance. A service member may donate up to x days as long as they do fall below x days accrued.

Response by SSgt John Schoonmaker made Jul 2 at 2016 10:35 PM

2016-07-02T22:35:13-04:00

This is an AWESOME idea...been around awhile...still an excellent idea to bring up.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Feb 10 at 2017 12:44 PM

2017-02-10T12:44:11-05:00

SGM Matthew Quick Sounds alright foremost however, not sure if it would ever be instituted. Might as well help out someone who really needs the leave days. Only thing is this would have to be monitored closely so that no one takes too much advantage of it. If it were to happen, it would be subject to who honestly needs it in an emergency vs. someone who just wants to have a few extra days. Someone would need to keep track of how many days a particular soldier has or has gone over too. I'm sure a few Soldiers in a unit would be case-by-case situations. Then of course the entire chain of command would have to approve such a request too.