What regulation defines the "commander, or designated approving authority" for Secondary Caregiver Leave?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 17:44:04 -0400

The new Parental Leave Policy states "The commander, or designated approving authority, may approve secondary caregiver leave." Since the Company Commander IS a Commander, he should be able to approve secondary caregiver leave, correct? All units I've been in during my career have handled paternity leave at the Company level, but my current unit interprets it (and by extension, all leave granted by AR 600-8-10 that says "Unit Commander") as meaning the BN Commander, unless delegated down to the Company Commander, yet there is no written policy that I can find. I know some of you may say "just get it signed by BN CDR" but I have a very small window to take the caregiver leave before I start clearing for PCS and would rather it not sit on the BN CDR's desk for a week.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2019 6:21 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 18:21:47 -0400

Sounds like your unit is trying to pass the buck. Your Company Commander does have approval authority for signing a Leave Request.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2019 7:10 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 19:10:10 -0400

There needs to be a written policy defining a “unit commander”? Companies aren’t units? Ok I’ll play. Route it on up make sure your non unit company commander signs the supervisor block.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Apr 2 at 2019 9:33 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 09:33:50 -0400

I no longer have easy access to APD, so I can't research this for you, BUT...
At the beginning of every reg there is a section for "responsibilities". Authority for the program in question is located there.
Commander can be anything from Det CDR up to Army Chief of Staff. If a different Commander than those specified in the "responsibilities" section has authority for a specific portion (like award approval, which has designated rank/echelon requirements for each award) then it will be specified within that section of the reg. It will also state if and Commander is authorized to designate, and who they are allowed to designate their authority for the program.

I can't tell you, specifically, but I can tell you that's how you find your answer.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2019 10:33 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 22:33:25 -0400

All non-chargeable leave has to be approved by the BN CDR, so your current unit is correct. If your previous unit allowed a company level commander to approve non-chargeable leave, they were wrong. Designated approving authority is when the BN CDR or Company Commander is not available to sign the leave for due to an absence, whoever is appointed with assumption of Command orders can approve the action.

We have to always keep in mind, just because you were able to do certain things at a different location doesn’t mean they were done correctly. Follow the guidance that was provided versus being resistant to correct procedures (no disrespect intended). What’s meant for you will be for you. Good luck to you...