Available Law Enforcement/Military Contingency Leave

Effective November 24, 2003, if you perform full-time military service as a result of a call or order to active duty in support of a contingency operation, you may be entitled to an additional 22 days of leave from your civilian duties each calendar year. You are also entitled to this leave if you are activated for a state emergency on orders from the Governor of that state. If you meet the eligibility requirements for using the 22 workdays of military leave, you may elect to use accrued annual leave or available compensatory time earned prior to using the 22 workdays of military leave. Please note that the absence period may not be charged to sick leave.

Requesting Military Leave

Military leave should be requested and approved as far in advance as possible to allow the supervisor to accommodate the absence; the same as any other type of leave. There is no requirement to use the OPM Form 71 to request leave but it is the recommend form. Employees need to include the specific dates/hours they want military leave to cover and attach a copy of the military orders which support the request (if available). Specify the type of military leave requested; e.g., normal activity duty; support of a contingency operation; law enforcement support; technicians performing noncombat operations outside the US; or parade/encampment. Upon returning to work the employee must provide the supervisor with acceptable supporting documentation; e.g., properly authorized military orders, to support the specific military leave. Documentation must include dates, times, and signatures verifying that the period of active duty was performed.