What is leave carryover?
Per the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) Leave Program Policy Guidance Phase II, IMA members can carry over unused accrued leave from one active-duty long tour to another active-duty long tour with Commander approval.
When is leave carryover necessary?
Due to the nature of IMA orders, leave carryover is required to move unused accrued leave when there is a break between long tour orders. Long tour orders are orders that are longer than 30 days.
Example: Order number ABC123 ends March 1, 2025, and has an unused accrued leave balance of 2.0 days. Order number DEF456 begins April 1, 2025. A leave carryover request must be submitted to HQ RIO/RPO to carry forward the 2.0 days of unused accrued leave from order number ABC123 to order number DEF456.
If you are performing back-to-back orders with no break, a leave carryover may not be necessary. If you are unsure if this applies, submit a MyFSS case requesting clarification.
I have started a new long tour order, and my LES shows the accrued leave balance from my previous long tour order. Was the leave automatically carried over?
No. If there was a break between long tour orders, a leave carryover is required to move the unused accrued leave from your previous long tour order. The accrued leave balance on your LES will “fall off” within one to two pay periods. If you are unsure what your current unused accrued leave balance is on your new long tour order, you can submit a MyFSS case to request a leave audit.
How many days can an IMA member carry over?
IMA members cannot carry forward more than 60 days of leave unless authorized Special Leave Accrual.
Can IMA members transfer leave between components?
IMA members can transfer their unused accrued leave to an AGR/VPLAD tour with no break in service. Members who transfer from the Regular AF (except for members transferring into the AGR program with no break in service), ANG or other service cannot carry leave into the AFR. When carrying over leave from AGR to IMA, the active-duty FM shop will need to initiate the carryover by submitting a CMS case to DFAS.
I have received an email from the AFIPPS Data Cleanse Team stating I have unused accrued leave available. Can I carry that leave to my current order?
No. To carry forward leave you must begin a new long tour order. You may submit an AF Form 1089A to HQ RIO/RPO with section II completed with your intention to carry forward your unused accrued leave to a future order or request to have the leave sold back.
When should you start the leave carryover process?
Per the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) Leave Carryover Program Policy Guidance Phase II, IMA members must begin the process to request a leave carryover before their NEW order begins. The Leave Carryover Preparation Checklist provides IMA members with a breakdown of the process required for approval of their leave carryover documentation.
What documents must be submitted to HQ RIO/RPO to complete a leave carryover?
- All pages of your closed-out order to include any modifications. Closed out orders must have blocks 36a through 44 completed. Additionally, they must be signed and dated after you have completed your tour. For example, if the order ends on March 31, 2025, the order must be resigned and dated on or after March 31, 2025.
- An AF Form 1089A completed and signed. This includes a Resource Advisor or MPA Program Manager signature, and the gaining Commander signature.
- Leave Carryover Statement of Understanding signed and approved by your gaining Chain of Command.
- All pages of your pre-certified order to include any modifications. Pre-certified orders must have blocks 36a-b and 38 through 44 completed. Additionally, they must be signed and dated at the beginning of your tour. For example, if the order starts on April 1, 2025, the pre-certified orders must be signed and dated on or April 1, 2025.
- Your pre-certified order must include a leave carryover statement (not applicable to a member starting an AGR tour). If the order does not have a leave carryover statement, a modification will need to be provided with the leave carryover statement.
- The leave carryover statement should state “Member is approved to use XX days of leave carryover on this tour. If the order is modified to accommodate leave carryover, then the member is expected to use all leave, both approved carryover and accrued leave, within the order”.
6. Any part Is and part IIIs for leave taken during applicable tour and any outstanding part Is and IIIs as requested.
The
Leave Carryover Required Document Checklist provides IMAs with a breakdown of the required documentation needed to process their leave carryover request.
Where do you submit your Leave Carryover request?
After you have prepared your leave carryover documentation,
submit all the required documentation to HQ RIO RPO Leave via a MyFSS case for processing. For tracking and auditing purposes, submit each leave carryover request in a separate MyFSS case.
How long will it take to process my leave carryover?
Processing time for leave carryover is 45 to 60 days.
NOTE:
Do not use the requested carryover leave until your leave carryover has been processed and your leave master record has been updated. Using your carryover leave before it has processed and updated in your leave master record could lead to
excess leave debt.
Common Mistakes That Can Increase Processing Time:
- Missing documents
- Missing signatures
- Missing leave carryover statement in the pre-certified order.
- Closed-out orders submitted but not signed and dated at the end of the tour.
Can I extend my orders for the purpose of leave carryover?
No. Orders will not be extended for the sole purpose of leave carryover. With commander approval, leave carryover days are built into the order upfront and prior to the orders initial publication as part of the tour length. Once the orders are published, the orders cannot be amended to extend the order for the sole purpose of taking leave.
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