DoD Increases R&R; Policy
July 17, 2007

The Department of Defense approved today a policy change to the U.S. Central Command Rest and Recuperation Leave Program, increasing the time provided to military service members for rest and recuperation in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

The policy change, signed by David S. C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, increases the R&R; leave period from 15 to 18 chargeable days for those service members deploying to the OEF and OIF area of operations for 15 months.

The amended policy became effective July 13, 2007, applies to military personnel only and is not retroactive. Only service members who took leave on or after July 13, 2007, may take 18 days of leave.

Service members will not be charged for their travel days. The R&R; leave begins when the service member arrives at the commercial airport nearest their leave destination.

Service members serving one-year tours will continue to receive 15 days of chargeable R&R; leave.

The amended R&R; policy came as a result of the recent DoD change to the rotation and mobilization policy increasing some theater deployments to 15-month tours.