Special Leave Accrual for Service Members

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The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Matthew Donovan signed a department-wide authorization for service members to accrue and retain an additional leave balance of up to 120 days. The department's actions to stem the spread of COVID-19 has significantly limited the ability of service members to take leave during this national emergency, and we know that leave is vital to the health and welfare of our force. See the link for additional information.

The Department of Defense's actions to  stem the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19),  to  include restricting travel, has significantly limited  the ability of Service members to take leave during the national emergency.  Leave is vital to  the continued health and welfare of our Service members and civilian workforce and is key to the Secretary of Defense's first priority in responding to  COVID-19-protecting our Service members,  DoD civilians, and their  families. 

The Office of Personnel  Management (OPM) civilian workforce policies already make allowances for leave accrual under exigent circumstances  pursuant to  5  U.S.C. §  6304(d).

Therefore, in recognition of the  impact  of the Department's response  to COVID-19 on Service members' ability to take  leave  and properly manage their  leave  balances, effective March 11, 2020 through September 30, 2020, and pursuant to  10 U.S.C.  §  701(f)(l)(A) and (B)(iii),  members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force performing active service (as that  term is defined in 10 U.S.C.  §  701(a)) during the effective period, are authorized to accumulate annual leave  in  excess of 60 days (not to exceed 120 days) as shown on the end of month September 2020 Leave and Earnings Statement.  Such members are further authorized to retain such unused leave until  the  end of Fiscal Year 2023 (i.e.,  September 30, 2023).

https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2153213/special-leave-accrual-for-service-members/

https://media.defense.gov/2020/Apr/16/2002282672/-1/-1/1/SPECIAL-LEAVE-ACCRUAL.PDF