The VA gives me 15 days of “military leave” just for being a Reservist. I am told that I cannot use the "military leave" for time off prior to my deployment. I read in the JAG for mobs guide somewhere where that this is not true as long as the time is use for Deployment preparation to work on my civilian affairs.
What do I need to tell my employer? Do I need a letter from my CO? If so how do I word it?
Please reply ASAP
Deployment
I work for the Dept of the Army in my civilian job. Military Leave can be taken but you are supposed to provide a copy of your orders. If you don't have orders then they could accuse you of taking Military Leave when you are actually just going on vacation somewhere. I don't believe you are "gaming the system" but unfortunately some have probably done so in the past and so there are now checks and balances in place to prevent anyone from doing it again.
Here's what I recommend: Use your Annual Leave (which I know sucks) but submit for Military Leave to start the day that your mob starts and burn it up while you are on orders so that you are "double-dipping" which is totally legal. Uses some of your Annual Leave, but you get extra pay as compensation. So set your LWOP date to go into effect after your Military Leave is burned up.
P.S. I do the same thing on the back end of the deploymet too. Start my Military Leave for the next year (assuming your deployment goes across the year mark) 3 weeks prior to the end of my deployment orders.
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