One of the most confusing parts of military life for new families is understanding how time off works. Terms like leave, liberty, pass, duty day, and holiday block leave can feel overwhelming, especially right after graduation.
This guide breaks everything down in a simple, family-focused way — across all branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
Whether your loved one is moving into AIT, A-School, Tech School, MCT/SOI, a first duty station, or a ship/unit, this will help you know exactly what to expect.
The Four Types of Time Off in the U.S. Military
Every branch uses the same core system, though details vary slightly.
Here are the big four:
1. Leave
Earned vacation days
2. Liberty
Short-term time off (usually weekends)
3. Pass
Special short breaks (3–4 days)
4. Holidays & Holiday Block Leave
Federal holidays or branch-wide breaks
Let’s break these down in plain language.
1. Leave — The Military’s Version of Vacation Time
Leave = earned paid vacation
All branches earn 2.5 days of leave per month (30 days per year).
Your service member can use leave for:
- vacations
- going home
- weddings
- family emergencies
- long-distance travel
- post-deployment rest
Important Notes for Families
- Command must approve leave (it’s not automatic)
- Travel usually can’t start until after the duty day
- Leave is tracked in their official military record
- Leave requests depend on mission needs
Leave During Training
In most cases:
- Army AIT: Leave is restricted until later phases
- Navy A-School: Leave allowed in later phases or at graduation
- Air Force Tech School: Leave typically allowed after phase progression
- Marines MCT/SOI: Leave is limited until orders to MOS school
- Coast Guard A-School: Leave approval varies by class
Leave is more flexible after they reach their first duty station.
2. Liberty — Short-Term Time Off (Often Weekends)
Liberty = non-chargeable time off
They do NOT use leave days for this.
Common types:
Regular Liberty
- Weekends
- After-duty hours
- Evenings
Extended Liberty
- Long weekends
- Friday–Monday for special events
- 72-hour liberty (3 days)
- 96-hour liberty (4 days; common on holidays)
Liberty is typically granted provided:
- training performance is good
- no disciplinary issues exist
- the unit allows off-base liberty
Training Liberty Rules
Liberty rules vary heavily:
Army AIT:
- Early phases: on-base liberty only
- Later phases: off-base allowed with conditions
Navy A-School:
- Phase cards determine liberty
- Colors often control: uniform rules, distance, hours
Air Force Tech School:
- Phase system similar to Navy
- Later phases give more freedom
Marine MCT/SOI:
- Highly restricted until MOS school orders
Coast Guard:
- Liberty depends on class policy and performance
3. Pass — Special Permission for Extra Time Off
A pass = short time off granted for a specific reason
Examples:
- Outstanding performance
- Special events
- Reenlistments
- Command awards
- Holiday extensions
- Family-related requests
Passes typically cover:
- 24 hours
- 48 hours
- 72 hours
- 96 hours
Unlike leave:
- Passes do not deduct from leave balance
- But they cannot be combined immediately with leave (depending on command)
Passes are more common at first duty stations and not very common during early training.
4. Holidays & Holiday Block Leave
The military observes all national holidays, with specific exceptions for mission-critical units.
Federal Holidays (Typical)
- New Year’s Day
- MLK Day
- Presidents Day
- Memorial Day
- July 4th
- Labor Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas
Units may give:
- a 72-hour (3-day) liberty or
- a 96-hour (4-day) liberty
depending on operational tempo.
Holiday Block Leave (Army, Marines, Some Navy Schools)
Holiday Block Leave (HBL) is a major event for:
- Army Basic Training (Fort Jackson, Benning, Leonard Wood, Sill)
- Marine Corps Boot Camp (PI & San Diego)
- Some AIT and MOS schools
- Some Navy and Air Force training pipelines
Typically lasting:
- 10–14 days over Christmas/New Year’s
This is often the first major leave recruits get.
What Families Should Know:
- Travel is allowed
- Book early (airports fill fast near military bases)
- Recruits must return on time (VERY important)
- Some recruits may be unable to travel due to training timelines
What Families Should Expect by Branch
Here’s a simple summary:
Army
- Liberty during AIT varies by phase
- Leave restricted until later
- HBL common for basic training
Navy
- Phase system for liberty
- Weekend liberty in later A-School phases
- Leave often after A-School
Air Force
- Phase system at Tech School
- Liberty increases steadily
- Leave allowed after phase progression
Marine Corps
- Very limited liberty until SOI/MCT
- Leave often given after MOS school
- HBL depends on training timeline
Coast Guard
- Limited liberty during basic
- Leave typically after assignment of first unit
- Very unit-dependent
What Families Most Often Ask
Can my service member come home right after graduation?
Usually no, unless their orders or training pipeline allow leave.
Do recruits get weekends off?
During basic training: no.
During MOS/A-School/Tech School: sometimes.
Can they take leave whenever they want?
Leave must be approved by command.
Can they come home for Thanksgiving/Christmas?
Only if on leave or during Holiday Block Leave.
Can I plan a vacation for them?
Not during first training schools — wait until they’re at their first duty station.
Final Guidance for Families
Just send them this message: “We’re proud of you — take whatever time you’re allowed, and don’t stress about calling or texting. We’re here whenever you get a chance.”
It helps more than you think.