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Moving: The rules on leave

Defense Department policy gives service members up to 10 days for house hunting at a new assignment location, but policies vary among the services.

An administrative absence (permissive temporary duty) may be authorized in conjunction with a permanent change-of-station move when government quarters are not immediately available or, if available, are not required to be occupied at the new installation.

Delay en route

Service members can get delay-en-route leave in conjunction with a PCS move. Whenever feasible, they will be authorized annual leave, provided no excess leave is involved. For example, a commander can approve leave so a member can take vacation days on the way to the new duty station.

Proceed time

Any service member on PCS orders to or from a dependent-restricted or unaccompanied tour overseas may be authorized up to four days of administrative leave (not charged as leave or travel time) to attend to the details of helping family members move. Commanders of ships changing homeports can authorize proceed time in conjunction with the movement of household goods or a privately owned vehicle.

Proceed time is not authorized for a service member’s move to his first permanent duty station, separation, release from active duty or retirement. It also is not available for moves between nearby stations or ships with the same homeport or when orders require reporting within four days.