One of the most confusing parts of military life especially for new families is understanding how leave and time off actually work. Every branch uses similar terminology, but rules vary by training stage, duty station, and command.
This guide breaks everything down in a clear, family-friendly way so you always know:
- the difference between leave and pass
- what liberty means
- how much leave service members earn
- when they can take time off
- how holidays work
- what’s allowed during training vs. the fleet
- Guard & Reserve rules
- common misconceptions
This applies to all branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force.
1. “Leave” vs. “Pass” vs. “Liberty” — The Simple Definitions
Leave (Paid Vacation Days)
Leave = paid time off that uses the service member’s leave balance.
Service members earn:
2.5 days of leave per month = 30 paid days per year
When they take leave:
- it reduces their balance
- they must submit a formal request
- command must approve it
- they can travel anywhere allowed
- travel days are included as leave days
Leave is what most families think of as “vacation.”
Pass (Short Authorized Time Off — NOT Charged as Leave)
Pass days are authorized time off that does not use leave.
Examples:
- 3-day or 4-day holiday weekends
- special passes for exceptional performance
- extended liberty periods
Pass rules:
- usually limited to within a mileage radius
- may require staying within a certain state/region
- cannot be combined with leave without approval
Pass = “extra time off” that doesn’t reduce leave balance.
Liberty (Daily Time Off After Duty Hours)
Liberty is the military’s word for:
Time off after the workday
AND
Normal weekends
Liberty examples:
- off-duty evenings
- Saturdays & Sundays
- holiday weekends that are not designated as passes
Liberty does not use leave and does not require a leave form.
2. How Much Leave Do Service Members Earn?
Active Duty:
- 2.5 days per month
- 30 days per year
- Unused leave can accumulate (“accrue”) up to 60 days (more during deployments)
Guard & Reserve:
- Earn leave only while activated on active-duty orders 30+ days
- Drill weekends do NOT earn leave
3. Leave & Pass Rules During Training
Training rules differ significantly from fleet/operational units.
Here’s the reality:
Boot Camp (All Branches)
- No leave
- No pass
- No off-base liberty
(training is fully restricted)
AIT, A-School, Tech School, MOS School
Rules vary by phase:
Phase 1:
- No leave except emergencies
- On-base liberty only
Phase 2:
- Some off-base liberty
- Leave occasionally allowed
Phase 3:
- Full weekend liberty
- Leave possible with approval
Some long pipelines (Navy Nukes, Marines ITB, Air Force Tech School) limit leave until major milestones.
Graduate Leave (Common Question)
Many families think “graduation leave” is automatic — it’s NOT.
Whether a new service member gets leave depends on:
- needs of the training pipeline
- schoolhouse policies
- PCS timing
- available class dates
- operational requirements
- command approval
Sometimes they get leave, sometimes they must report directly to their next base.
4. Leave & Pass Rules at First Duty Stations
Once training is complete, rules get easier.
At a normal duty station:
- leave is routinely approved
- service members can travel freely while on leave
- passes and long weekends are common
- liberty rules relax significantly
Commands may limit leave during:
- deployments
- major inspections
- operational commitments
- mission-critical periods
But generally, leave becomes much more flexible.
5. Holiday Leave, Block Leave & Long Weekends
Block Leave (Army, Marines, sometimes Air Force)
This is pre-planned leave for large units, usually:
- around Christmas
- after deployments
- before major training cycles
Block leave is charged as normal leave, but everyone takes it at the same time.
Holiday Leave Periods
Most bases encourage leave around:
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas/New Year
- July 4th
- Memorial Day
- Labor Day
Again: leave is charged, but often easier to approve.
4-Day Weekends
Often approved for:
- Memorial Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving
- Veterans Day
- MLK Day
- Presidents Day
These are typically “passes,” not leave.
6. Traveling During Leave vs. Pass vs. Liberty
While on Leave
- travel anywhere allowed
- outside the travel radius
- out-of-state
- airfare, driving, cruises, etc.
- can combine multiple leave days
Families should know: Travel days count as leave days.
While on Pass
- usually must stay within a mileage radius
- typically cannot fly unless approved
- no leave form required
- must return before the pass ends
While on Liberty (normal off-duty)
- can leave base after work
- must stay within local radius
- must return for duty the next morning
Liberty is not a vacation — it's local time off.
7. Emergency Leave
Emergency leave is for:
- death of an immediate family member
- life-threatening illness or injury
- major emergencies needing presence
Requires Red Cross verification in most cases.
Emergency leave is charged, but approvals are fast.
8. Leave After Deployment
Most commands allow post-deployment leave:
- typically 14–30 days
- sometimes split into segments
- often combined with travel days
- strongly encouraged for recovery
This is charged as normal leave.
9. Military Leave Myths (Common Misunderstandings)
“They automatically get leave after basic/AIT/A-School.”
No — depends on orders and class schedules.
“Leave is guaranteed.”
It must be approved by command; mission needs come first.
“Holiday weekends mean automatic time off.”
Only if the service member’s duty schedule allows it.
“Guard & Reserve get paid leave.”
Only while on orders of 30+ days.
“You can stack leave and passes easily.”
Not without explicit command approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can service members take leave during training?
Usually no during early phases; sometimes later.
Do trainees get leave after boot camp?
Sometimes, but not always.
Can they fly home for a holiday weekend?
Only if they take leave, not just liberty.
Do holidays reduce leave days?
No — leave is counted daily, regardless of holidays.
Can they travel overseas while on leave?
Often yes, but requires approval and travel briefings.
Do they earn more leave on deployment?
They earn at the same rate — but may get special rest & recovery programs depending on the mission.
Supporting Your Service Member Through Leave & Training
Understanding how leave works is one of the most useful things families can do.
It helps with:
- travel planning
- graduation expectations
- school pipeline timing
- family vacations
- stress reduction
- communication
- supporting transitions between training stages
The more families know, the easier the journey becomes.
Show Your Support at Every Milestone
Whether your service member is in training, returning from deployment, or taking well-earned leave, families love showing their pride.
Explore branch-specific family apparel, graduation gear, and meaningful keepsakes
Oak & Liberty is proud to support military families with resources that make the journey easier — and apparel that celebrates every moment.