New leave policy to affect all AF members Published July 21, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Daryl Knee 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. -- The Department of Defense recently issued new policies governing military leave. "More and more Airmen are deploying for 179 or 365 and not having the opportunity to take their leave" said Capt. Natalie Jolly, 90th Force Support. "The change allows service members who are returning from deployments the time needed to use that leave." The annual leave accrual has temporarily increased from 60 to 75 days until Dec. 31, 2010, she said. Service members, who have more than the previous 60-day limit, should not lose the days when fiscal year 09 occurs in October. However, the changes did 3.not make it into the Defense Finance and Accounting Service system in time, Captain Jolly said. As a result, some people may experience an initial loss if they have more than the current leave cap. The DFAS staff will then identify those people who lost the days and begin a manual restoration process beginning in early October. Also, the special leave accrual retention limits are increased, she said. Under the new limits, SLA earned in combat zones may now be kept for four fiscal years; SLA earned in support of operations may now be kept for two fiscal years. Authorized special rest and recuperation absence with transportation benefit has increased from 15 to 20 days. This applies to members completing an overseas duty longer than a year. "The new policies help people balance the mission while helping them take their leave," Captain Jolly said. "I think this is a temporary opportunity. People need to take advantage of it and use the leave before 2010. "In a future year, they may just lose that leave," she said. For more information about the leave policy changes, call Captain Jolly at 773-2017.