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Taking leave en route requires home station approval

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Renni Thornton
  • 451st Air Expeditionary Wing
Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan --  Recently, Air Force officials announced a change to the leave policy, allowing Airmen to take leave en route within the continental United States when they return home, or redeploy, from the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

Lt. Gen. Mike Hostage, commander, U.S. Air Forces Central Command, championed the change to the Air Force-wide policy, which was approved December 2009. The policy applies to leave en route from an air expeditionary force or overseas contingency operations deployment to a location within the CONUS.

"This is the right thing to do for our Airmen. The new policy supports the reintegration process which is critical as Airmen return to their permanent duty stations," said General Hostage in an article dated April 2.

The change, according to USAFCENT officials, can save Airmen significant time and travel-associated costs, as well as provide them an opportunity to reconnect with family and friends.

Air Force Instruction 10-403, Deployment Planning and Execution, was recently changed to allow redeploying Airmen, including those permanently assigned at overseas locations, a stopover in the continental United States on their way home.

Previously, Air Force policy did not allow Airmen to take leave en route during redeployment; they were required to report directly to their home stations upon leaving the area of responsibility. Now, however, the policy change creates a waiver process for Airmen.

A leave en route policy for deployed USAFCENT personnel was approved in March 2010.
But taking leave en route requires more than the desire to take leave.

451st Air Expeditionary Wing members interested in taking leave en route must first get home station approval.

"Airmen who plan to take leave must first gain approval from their home station and deployed commanders." said Capt. Chad Heiman, 451st Force Support Flight commander.

One specification of the USAFCENT leave en route policy is leave will be chargeable and limited to 14 days from the date of arrival in CONUS.

The home station reintegration process will still be required upon each Airman's return to duty following his or her leave en route. Members should check with their home station officials for specific guidance.

Each major command has separate policies.

As part of its implementation, the change allows for waivers for Airmen who meet specific criteria including medical clearance by the deployed location, home station and deployed commander approval, and required weapons turn-in.

"Some key things to keep in mind are that each member is limited to 14 chargeable days from the date arrived in CONUS.

"Also, each Airman is responsible for coordinating the disposition of issued weapons and gear with the logistics readiness staff before taking leave. This takes time to coordinate, so I recommend that folks start the checklist process at least 45 days before they are scheduled to redeploy," said Captain Heiman.

The checklist can be found on the wing's SharePoint drive, he said.