Intro
Discover the Air Force Leave AFI policy, covering military leave regulations, permissive temporary duty, and vacation time, with insights on leave accrual, carryover, and sell back rules, to help airmen navigate personnel management and benefits.
The United States Air Force has a comprehensive leave policy, outlined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-3003, which provides guidance on managing leave for Air Force personnel. The policy is designed to balance the needs of the Air Force with the needs of its personnel, ensuring that airmen have the opportunity to rest, recharge, and attend to personal matters.
The Air Force leave policy is based on the principle of providing a fair and equitable leave program that supports the well-being and readiness of its personnel. The policy applies to all active duty, Reserve, and Guard personnel, as well as civilian employees. The leave policy is divided into several categories, including annual leave, sick leave, family and medical leave, and special leave.
Annual leave is a key component of the Air Force leave policy, providing airmen with paid time off to rest, relax, and pursue personal interests. Airmen earn annual leave at a rate of 2.5 days per month, up to a maximum of 30 days per year. Annual leave can be taken at any time, subject to the approval of the airman's commander. The Air Force also offers a program called "Advanced Leave," which allows airmen to take leave in advance of earning it, subject to certain conditions.
In addition to annual leave, the Air Force also provides sick leave to airmen who are unable to perform their duties due to illness or injury. Sick leave can be taken for up to 30 days per year, and can be used for a variety of purposes, including medical appointments, hospitalization, and recuperation. The Air Force also offers a program called "Sick Leave Pool," which allows airmen to donate sick leave to colleagues who are experiencing a serious medical condition.
The Air Force also provides family and medical leave to airmen who need to care for a family member or attend to a personal medical condition. This type of leave is governed by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which provides eligible airmen with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year. The Air Force also offers a program called "Family Care Plan," which provides guidance and support to airmen who are caring for a family member with a serious medical condition.
Special leave is another category of leave provided by the Air Force, which includes leave for a variety of purposes, such as bereavement, adoption, and paternity. The Air Force also offers a program called "Permissive Temporary Duty (PTDY)," which allows airmen to take leave for a variety of purposes, including attending to personal matters, pursuing education or training, and participating in community events.
The Air Force leave policy is managed through the Air Force LeaveWeb system, which provides airmen with online access to their leave records and allows them to request leave electronically. The system also provides commanders with the ability to manage leave requests and track leave balances.
Air Force Leave Policy Overview

In summary, the Air Force leave policy is designed to provide airmen with a fair and equitable leave program that supports their well-being and readiness. The policy includes a range of leave categories, including annual leave, sick leave, family and medical leave, and special leave. The policy is managed through the Air Force LeaveWeb system, which provides airmen with online access to their leave records and allows them to request leave electronically.
Air Force Leave Types

The Air Force offers several types of leave, including:
- Annual leave: paid time off for rest, relaxation, and personal interests
- Sick leave: time off for illness or injury
- Family and medical leave: unpaid leave for caring for a family member or attending to a personal medical condition
- Special leave: leave for bereavement, adoption, paternity, and other purposes
- Permissive Temporary Duty (PTDY): leave for attending to personal matters, pursuing education or training, and participating in community events
Air Force Leave Eligibility

To be eligible for leave, airmen must meet certain requirements, including:
- Being in an active duty, Reserve, or Guard status
- Having completed basic training and technical school
- Being assigned to a unit or organization
- Having a leave balance available
Airmen can check their leave eligibility and balance through the Air Force LeaveWeb system.
Air Force Leave Request Process

To request leave, airmen must follow these steps:
- Check their leave balance and eligibility through the Air Force LeaveWeb system
- Submit a leave request through the Air Force LeaveWeb system
- Obtain approval from their commander
- Receive confirmation of their leave request
Airmen can also request leave through their unit's leave administrator or personnel office.
Air Force Leave Policy Benefits

The Air Force leave policy provides several benefits to airmen, including:
- Paid time off for rest, relaxation, and personal interests
- Time off for illness or injury
- Unpaid leave for caring for a family member or attending to a personal medical condition
- Leave for bereavement, adoption, paternity, and other purposes
- Online access to leave records and the ability to request leave electronically
The Air Force leave policy is designed to support the well-being and readiness of its personnel, and provides airmen with the opportunity to rest, recharge, and attend to personal matters.
Air Force Leave Policy Challenges

Despite the benefits of the Air Force leave policy, there are several challenges that airmen may face, including:
- Limited leave availability due to operational requirements
- Difficulty obtaining approval for leave requests
- Inadequate leave balances
- Limited access to leave records and the ability to request leave electronically
The Air Force is working to address these challenges and improve the leave policy, including increasing leave availability, streamlining the leave request process, and improving access to leave records.
Air Force Leave Policy Future

The Air Force leave policy is continually evolving to meet the changing needs of its personnel. In the future, the Air Force plans to:
- Increase leave availability and flexibility
- Streamline the leave request process
- Improve access to leave records and the ability to request leave electronically
- Provide more support for airmen with family and medical needs
The Air Force is committed to providing a fair and equitable leave program that supports the well-being and readiness of its personnel.
Gallery of Air Force Leave Policy
Air Force Leave Policy Image Gallery










What is the purpose of the Air Force leave policy?
+The purpose of the Air Force leave policy is to provide a fair and equitable leave program that supports the well-being and readiness of its personnel.
How do I request leave in the Air Force?
+To request leave, airmen must submit a leave request through the Air Force LeaveWeb system, obtain approval from their commander, and receive confirmation of their leave request.
What types of leave are available in the Air Force?
+The Air Force offers several types of leave, including annual leave, sick leave, family and medical leave, and special leave.
How do I check my leave balance in the Air Force?
+Airmen can check their leave balance through the Air Force LeaveWeb system.
Can I take leave for personal reasons in the Air Force?
+Yes, airmen can take leave for personal reasons, including attending to personal matters, pursuing education or training, and participating in community events.
In conclusion, the Air Force leave policy is a comprehensive program that provides airmen with a fair and equitable leave program that supports their well-being and readiness. The policy includes a range of leave categories, including annual leave, sick leave, family and medical leave, and special leave. Airmen can request leave through the Air Force LeaveWeb system, and can check their leave balance and eligibility online. The Air Force is committed to providing a leave program that supports the needs of its personnel, and is continually evolving to meet the changing needs of its airmen. We encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences with the Air Force leave policy in the comments below, and to share this article with others who may be interested in learning more about the topic.