2015 NDAA changes carryover ‘use or lose’ leave, military members urged to double-check

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Jess D. Harvey
  • USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  A recent change in annual leave rules reducing the amount of leave military members are allowed to carry over could cause many to lose accrued leave on Oct. 1, 2015 if they're not deliberate about using excess leave.

"Leaders are working hard to inform military members at every level that the leave carryover amount has reverted back to the normally allowed 60 days under the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act, instead of the 75 days allowed in previous years," said George A. Coggins, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa financial operations division chief.

While the total leave amount on members' leave and earning statements and in leave web is accurate, the use or lose number is showing incorrectly.

He also pointed out that the leave and earnings statement system hasn't caught up with the change yet.

According to messages posted on MyPER, the military pay system still reflects a use or lose leave balance based on the previous, 75-day-carryover rule.  Therefore, the use or lose number being reported on leave and earnings statements and in leave web are not correct.

"The system is being updated," said Coggins, "but military members still need to do the math for themselves to be sure their leave balances are down to 60 days by Sept. 30."

Basically, members need to look closely at their leave balance and plan accordingly to make sure their leave balances are below 60 days by Sept. 30 regardless of what their use or lose balance shows. If not, they will lose leave.

"Barring any additional changes to the law or policy on the subject, if your leave balance exceeds 60 days on 1 October 2015, the balance will be reduced, resulting in a new balance of 60 days," according to a message on the virtual finance site. 

Although this change doesn't directly apply to special leave accrual, substantial changes were made to that process as well, according to the MyPers message. It directs Airmen to contact their Force Support Squadron or Military Personnel Section for more information.

MyPER site:
https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil/app/answers/detail/a_id/28640

Virtual Finance:
https://www.my.af.mil/gcss-af/USAF/ep/contentView.do?contentType=EDITORIAL&c
ontentId=c0ECF2BB84B09051A014B179399780616&channelPageId=sA1FBF31D23D21F6B01
23ED377B730575