R&R Leave and R&R Pass

Service members are not authorized to take R&R Leave within the first 60 days of "boots on ground", unless an exception is granted.  However, an individual can use R&R Pass at any time.  

The R&R Pass is a program that allows for service members to take a 4-day pass to Qatar to decompress from the stress of war.  Another important difference o note is that R&R pass leaves are not chargeable against accrued annual leave.  In other words, the time you are aware on pass will not count against you for leave days.  Something to consider if oi want to use your R&R leave days as terminal leave.

A service members is allowed to take a 4-day pass for every 6 months of "boots on ground".  However unlike R&R Leave, the service member does not have to wait 60 days to take their 4 day pass.  They can in fact take their pass after spending 1 day in country, though I cannot imagine why you would need to use the pass so early on.  It is important to know, however, that this is an option.

For more information on terminal leave, R&R Pass and R&R Leave please refer to my book, The Service Member's Guide to Deployment; What every Soldier, Sailor, Airmen and Marine should know prior to being deployed.