Using Convalescent Leave
Rules to use convalescent leave
Convalescent leave is a nonchargeable absence
from duty granted to expedite a soldier’s return to full duty after illness,
injury, or childbirth.
The hospital commander or designee is the
approval authority for convalescent leave for 30 days or less (42 days after
normal pregnancy and childbirth). Only hospital commanders will approve
convalescent leave in excess of 42 days after childbirth when a soldier is
assigned or attached to the medical holding unit (AR 40-3, para 9-2) during one
continuous period of hospitalization. If the soldier is not hospitalized, unit
commander is the approval authority (para 5-5 AR 600-8-10).
The unit commander is the approval authority
for up to 30 days convalescent leave (42 days after normal pregnancy and
childbirth) for a soldier returning to duty after illness or injury (para 5-7 AR
600-8-10).
The approval authorities establish procedures
for granting convalescent leave.
Hospital commanders are the only approval
authority for requests in excess of 30 days (or in excess of 42 days for
childbirth).
Steps to use convalescent leave
| Step | Work Center | Action |
| 1 | MTF | Physicians determine leave to be necessary in the care and treatment prescribed for recuperation and convalescence. |
| 2 | MTF | Physicians recommend a period of convalescent leave, with full justification, to the approval authority. |
| 3 | CDR | Limit leave to the minimum amount of time essential to meet medical needs. |
| 4 | CDR | Consider diagnosis, prognosis, and probable final disposition of soldier. |
| 5 | MTF | If requested by commander, hospital commanders confirm physician’s recommendation. |
| 6 | MTF | Advise soldier to report any complications or medical problems. |
| 7 | MTF | If warranted by medical condition, hospital commander grants leave extension or considers other appropriate options. |
| 8 | MTF | Advise soldiers whether they are to return to the hospital or place of duty after convalescent leave. |
| 9 | CDR | Consider granting soldier’s request for additional accrued, advanced, and or excess leave, as appropriate. |
Granting Convalescent Leave to Soldiers
Assigned or Attached to a Medical Treatment Facility
Rules to grant convalescent leave to
soldiers assigned or attached to a medical treatment facility
The hospital commander or designee is the
approval authority for convalescent leave.
See paragraphs 5-3 and 5-4 AR 600-8-10
concerning convalescent leave.
Normally granted 42 days to soldier after
pregnancy and childbirth.
- If soldier desires to return to duty after
less than 42 days, physician must approve. - A commander may require early return of a
soldier if that soldier’s absence will clearly adversely affect the readiness
or operational mission of the soldier’s unit. A cognizant military health
authority determines that such action is medically acceptable.
Soldiers granted convalescent leave for illness
or injury incurred in line of duty while eligible for receipt of hostile fire
and imminent danger pay under section 310, title 37, United States Code (37 USC
310) are entitled to funded travel and transportation per JFTR, paragraph U7210.
Steps to grant convalescent leave to
soldiers assigned or attached to a medical treatment facility
| Step | Work Center | Action |
| 1 | MTF | Establish procedures for granting convalescent leave. |
| 2 | MTF | Use DA Form 31 to authorize convalescent leave (chap 12 AR 600-8-10). |
| 3 | MTF | On DA Form 31, complete blocks 1 through 5, 7, and 8. In block 7 check “other”. After other, post convalescent. |
| 4 | MTF | Annotate “CONV” over block 1 on DA Form 31. (BNS1 will insert control number.) |
| 5 | MTF | Specify on DA Form 31 in block 17 whether soldier is to return to the MTF or place of duty after convalescent leave. |
| 6 | MTF | Photocopy original DA Form 31 and maintain copy for 6 months. |
| 7 | MTF | Provide soldier with soldier’s copy of DA Form 31. |
| 8 | MTF | Provide original and suspense copies to soldier’s unit commander (forward to gaining unit commander when applicable). |
| 9 | MTF | Determine leave to be necessary in the care and treatment prescribed for recuperation and convalescence. |
| 10 | MTF | Limit convalescent leave to minimum amount of time essential to meet medical needs except following pregnancy and childbirth. |
| 11 | MTF | Advise soldier to report any complications or medical problems. |
| 12 | MTF | Provide administrative support to soldiers during periods of convalescence, when requested. |
| 13 | MTF | Accomplish actions pertaining to pay, morale, and welfare as if soldiers were assigned to hospital. |
| 14 | MTF | Grant leave (ordinary, advance, excess, as applicable) for period between expiration of convalescent leave and soldier’s return to parent organization when distance prevents immediate return. |
| 15 | Unit | Follow leave processing procedures in paragraphs 12-1, 12-31, and 12-32 AR 600-8-10. |
| 16 | BNS1 | Follow leave processing procedures in paragraph 12-31 AR 600-8-10. |
Reference: AR 600-8-10, Leaves and Passes
