Home on Leave

Earned leave days are basically paid vacation days. Airman earn 2.5 days of leave each month for a total of 30 paid leave days per year. Leave not taken in a year is carried over into the next fiscal year but only a maximum of 75 leave days is allowed to be on the books.

There are many opportunities for Airman to take leave throughout their career in the Air Force. It is up to the Airman where he or she wishes to spend those leave days.

Leave After BMT

Airman are not typically granted leave after BMT. The first opportunity for leave may come after the Airman finishes Tech School. In some cases if Tech School runs through "Holiday Exodus," Airman in Tech School may be granted leave

Recruiters Assistance Program

Upon the completion of Tech School, Airman may be allowed to take up to ten days of leave before reporting to their Permanent Duty Station. If your Airman chooses to take leave, they may also want to apply for the Recruiter's Assistance Program(RAP). The RAP allows up to 12 working days and 1 weekend with the local recruiting office where the Airman chooses to take leave. RAP may be taken in conjuction with the Airman's regular leave.

Find out more about the RAP at http://www.rs.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5031.

Emergency Leave

Here are some example situations in which emergency leave may be granted

  • Birth of an Airman's child
  • Death or serious ilness of an immediate family member

    • Emergency leave is granted at the discretion of the Airman's commander. Commanders may require verification through the American Red Cross.

    Discount Commercial Travel for Airman

    Many of the major airlines and other travel services offers discounts for service members. Airman can take advantage of these special rates by visiting base travel offices.

    Space Available Travel

    Another option for travel that can also save money is Space Available Travel. Your Airman may be able to "piggyback" on a military flight if space is available. Most military flights depart and arrive only on military air stations.

    For example: Your Airman is travelling from Hickam AFB, Hi and his final destination is Corpus Christi, Texas. He may catch a flight from Hickam AFB that lands at Lackland AFB in San Antonio,TX. From there he can travel to Corpus Christi by bus or car or family can meet him in San Antonio.

    One drawback to Space-A Travel is that flight schedules can change with very little notice. If your Airman wishes to use Space-A travel, He or she should contact their local Air Mobility Command Passenger Terminal.

    Read more about Space-Available Travel here.

    Quality Time with Your Airman

    Scheduled leave for first-term Airman should be a relaxing time. It's a time to unwind and catch up with family and friends. Keep in mind that it is up to the Airman how he or she chooses to spend their time on leave. While we may not be able to spend every waking moment with our Airman, the following are a few things to make those days extra special.

    • Plan a homecoming dinner

      Spend the day preparing your Airmans favorite meal and invite family and closest friends. This does not have to be on the day your Airman arrives. Just plan for a day or two after their arrival. Only you can gauge how your Airman will react to surprises

    • Plan a Day Out with your Airman

      Visit a theme park. Catch a movie. Plan a Picnic. Just make it an entire day of family fun with your Airman.

    • Give Your Airman Space

      Allow your Airman time to relax, visit with friends or just sleep. Don't forget that they are the defenders of our freedom!! They deserve it! :-)

    Recent Posts

    The Airman Heritage Museum at JBSA-Lackland

    The future is big for the Airman Heritage Museum at JBSA-Lackland (about 85,000 square feet to be exact). Development for the new museum is well underway, with site approval, cost estimates and architectural renderings done. The state-of-the-art facility will allow a little more elbow room for Air Force exhibits and collections. The museum will tell the Air Force story from its earliest days through present day and enhance trainee curriculum, according to the museum...read more

    Pass The Ketchup: Mealtime at BMT

    While at BMT, trainees are constantly on the move from dorms to classrooms to PT and more. All this movement requires trainees to use and replenish the body's energy stores. This is where mealtime comes in. Trainees must eat in order to keep up with the demands of Basic Military Training. As a veteran, I've heard many things about the food at basic training. I will let you in on things I remember about meals at basic training and a few examples of meals for trainees...read more

    Speak Like an Airman: Understanding the Airman Language

    To make it easier for you to understand your Airman's language, we've compiled a list of words that your Airman may use the next time you see him or her. Whether you have a son or daughter in Basic Training or have a cousin who is a ten-year Air Force veteran, this list is for you...Read more

    Spotlight

    BAH, Air Force Housing

    BAH Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is an entitlement granted to Airman who wish to live in privatized housing or in the local community and are eligible to do so. Airman who are eligible to receive BAH include Airmen with dependents and E-4 Airmen who have more than three years of service. The monthly amount of BAH varies from location to location. Unaccompanied E-1 through E-3 andE-4 Airmen with less than three years of service are required to live in the dorms on base. These Airmen...