Advance and Excess Leave

Start Here If You Are New to Advance and Excess Leave

When a Marine has no accrued leave and a need arises, two options exist. Advance leave is borrowing against future accrual (2.5 days/month). Excess leave is taking leave with no pay and no allowances. Advance leave is granted under specific circumstances (e.g., new accession, emergency leave with no balance, PCS). Excess leave is granted in extraordinary circumstances. The Marine recoups the advance leave through future accrual. Separation before the advance leave is earned back triggers recoupment of the unearned portion. Excess leave puts the Marine in a no-pay status for the days exceeding the accrued and advance leave authorizations.

This page walks you through Advance and Excess Leave from your seat as a General Marine. By the end you will know.

• The advance leave borrowing framework
• Common advance leave scenarios (new accession, emergency, PCS)
• The 2.5 days/month earn-back rate
• Recoupment exposure if separating before advance leave is earned
• Excess leave (no pay, no allowances)
• The chain of command approval framework

Every fact on this page comes from MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J Chapter 2 paragraphs 6 and 7 (19 May 2009), DoD 7000.14-R Volume 7ADoD 7000.14-R Volume 7A Chapter 35, and Title 10 U.S.C. section 701Title 10 U.S.C. section 701.

What Advance Leave Is

Per MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J Chapter 2 paragraph 6, advance leave is leave granted to a Marine BEFORE it has been earned. The Marine effectively borrows against the future accrual rate of 2.5 days per month.

Advance leave is granted under specific circumstances when the Marine has a legitimate need to take leave but does not have sufficient accrued balance.

Common Advance Leave Scenarios

New Accession with No Accrued Balance

A new Marine accessing into the Marine Corps has zero accrued leave at first arrival. If the Marine has a legitimate need (e.g., emergency in the family during recruit training delays, immediate post-MOS school period) advance leave is granted up to a Service-determined limit.

Emergency Leave with Insufficient Balance

A Marine with a family emergency requiring immediate leave but with insufficient accrued balance is granted advance leave to cover the emergency period. Emergency leave per MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J Chapter 2 paragraph 12 is the standard process. Advance leave covers the days exceeding the accrued balance.

PCS Leave Exceeding Accrued Balance

A Marine on PCS who needs leave exceeding the accrued balance for travel and family relocation is granted advance leave subject to chain of command approval.

Special Circumstances

Other circumstances at command discretion (within Service policy).

How Advance Leave Works

The Marine takes the leave (e.g., 30 days) when the accrued balance is only 10 days. The 30 days is allocated.

• 10 days from accrued balance.
• 20 days as advance leave.

Over the next 8 months, the Marine earns 2.5 × 8 = 20 days of leave. The advance leave converts to chargeable leave as the accrual catches up.

After the 8 months, the Marine's accrued balance is back to 0 (the 20 days earned were used to repay the advance leave).

Recoupment Risk if Separating Before Advance Leave Is Earned

Per MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J Chapter 2 paragraph 6 and DoD 7000.14-R Volume 7ADoD 7000.14-R Volume 7A Chapter 35, if the Marine separates from Active Duty BEFORE the advance leave is fully earned back, the unearned portion may be subject to recoupment.

Example

A Marine takes 20 days of advance leave on 1 January. By 30 June (5 months later), the Marine has earned 12.5 days of leave (5 × 2.5). On 1 July, the Marine separates due to administrative discharge.

The Marine has earned back 12.5 of the 20 days. The unearned portion (7.5 days) is subject to recoupment through.

• Final pay deductions (the daily basic pay rate × 7.5 days).
• Subsequent collection efforts if final pay does not cover the amount.

Recoupment Exemptions

Recoupment may be waived in specific circumstances per Volume 7A Chapter 2. Common exemptions include.

• Death of the Marine.
• Service-connected disability separation (combat-related).
• Hardship discharge in specific circumstances.
• Other exceptions per Volume 7A Chapter 2 Table 2-1.

The Pay Problems and Fixes page covers the recoupment framework.

Pay During Advance Leave

The Marine on advance leave continues to receive pay and allowances during the leave period. Advance leave is paid leave (the Marine is not in a no-pay status). The advance is reflected in the leave balance, not in the pay calculation.

The recoupment risk is on separation, not during the leave period itself.

Approval Authority

Per MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J Chapter 2 paragraph 6, the Marine's chain of command approves advance leave. The standard approval authority is the Company Commander or designated leave granting authority.

Larger advance leave amounts (e.g., exceeding 30 days) may require higher chain of command approval based on the unit's local leave policy.

What Excess Leave Is

Per MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J Chapter 2 paragraph 7, excess leave is leave granted when the Marine has no accrued balance AND is not earning leave fast enough to cover the requested period.

Excess leave is granted in extraordinary circumstances such as.

• Emergency leave when the accrued and advance leave allocations are exhausted.
• Educational leave for specific authorized programs.
• Other circumstances as authorized by the Service.

Excess Leave Pay Status (No Pay, No Allowances)

Per MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J Chapter 2 paragraph 7, excess leave is generally WITHOUT PAY AND ALLOWANCES for the days exceeding the accrued and advance leave authorizations.

This is a critical distinction. Unlike advance leave (which is paid leave), excess leave puts the Marine in a no-pay status. The Marine does NOT receive.

• Basic pay.
• BAH.
• BAS.
• Special pays.

Other implications.

• The leave time does not count for retirement purposes (no pay = no service credit per Title 10 U.S.C. section 701Title 10 U.S.C. section 701 framework).
• BAH may stop if the Marine is on extended excess leave.
• Continuation of TRICARE may be affected for extended excess leave.

The Marine should carefully consider the no-pay impact before requesting excess leave.

Common Excess Leave Scenarios

Extended Educational Leave

A Marine attending an extended education program where the Service authorized excess leave for the program duration. The Marine is in a no-pay status during the program.

Unique Hardship Circumstances

A Marine experiencing a hardship requiring extended absence beyond the accrued and advance leave authorizations. The chain of command approves excess leave.

Court-Ordered Custody Matters

A Marine required by court order to be present for an extended period (e.g., child custody hearing) where leave authorities are exhausted. The chain of command approves excess leave.

Approval Authority for Excess Leave

Per MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J Chapter 2 paragraph 7, the chain of command approves excess leave. The approval typically requires a higher authority than routine annual leave due to the extraordinary circumstances and the no-pay implications.

The approval typically routes through.

• Company Commander.
• Battalion Commander.
• Higher command for extended periods or unique circumstances.

Documentation

The Marine documents the advance or excess leave request through MOL with justification. Common documentation includes.

• The justification for the leave (emergency documentation, PCS orders, educational program acceptance, etc.).
• The accrued leave balance status.
• The chain of command's recommendation.
• The pay implications acknowledgment (for excess leave).

Verifying Advance and Excess Leave Authorization

A leave authorization confirms the leave entitlement.

Step 1. Submit the Request Through MOL

The Marine submits the leave request through MOL with the days needed and the accrued balance status.

Step 2. Coordinate with the S-1

The S-1 verifies the accrued balance and identifies the advance leave requirement.

Step 3. Chain of Command Approval

The chain of command approves the advance or excess leave request based on the circumstances.

Step 4. Verify in MOL and MCTFS

The leave authorization is documented in MOL with the appropriate type code.

Step 5. Verify Pay Status

For advance leave, verify pay continues during the leave period.

For excess leave, the Marine should expect the no-pay status during the days exceeding the accrued and advance authorizations.

Step 6. Resolve Discrepancies

Coordinate with your S-1. The reporting unit (I&I S-1 with direct UD/MIPS access, or a battalion S-1 routing through their PAC) routes through DFAS Marine Corps Pay.

Common Questions Marines Ask

I am a brand new PFC. Can I take leave during my first month?

Likely not without advance leave. As a new PFC, you have minimal accrued balance. Coordinate with your chain of command for advance leave. Common scenarios include emergency leave or post-MOS school transition.

I have 5 days of accrued leave but my mother is dying and I need 30 days. Can I get advance leave?

Yes. Per MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J Chapter 2 paragraph 6, advance leave is granted for emergency leave when the accrued balance is insufficient. The chain of command approves the additional days as advance leave.

If I separate before my advance leave is earned back, what happens?

Per Volume 7A Chapter 35, the unearned portion of the advance leave is subject to recoupment through final pay. Common exemptions apply for combat-related disability separation, death, and other circumstances per Chapter 2.

What is the difference between advance leave and excess leave?

Advance leave is paid leave borrowed against future accrual. The Marine continues to receive pay, BAH, BAS, and other entitlements during advance leave. Excess leave is in a no-pay status. The Marine does NOT receive pay or allowances during excess leave.

Can I take excess leave for an extended educational program?

Yes if the Service authorizes the program for excess leave. The Marine is in a no-pay status during the program. Coordinate with the chain of command for approval.

How long can my advance leave be?

The chain of command sets the cap based on the circumstances and the Marine's expected service obligation. Larger amounts require higher chain of command approval. The Marine should be prepared to earn back the leave through 2.5 days/month accrual.

Will my BAH stop during excess leave?

For extended excess leave (more than a few days), BAH may stop. The specific framework depends on the duration and circumstances. Coordinate with your S-1 for the BAH continuation rules.

Does excess leave count toward my retirement?

No. Excess leave is in a no-pay, no-credit status. It does not count toward years of service for retirement purposes per Title 10 U.S.C. section 701Title 10 U.S.C. section 701 framework.

Where to Go for Help

Routing by Issue

• Advance leave request. Through MOL with justification. Chain of command approves.
• Excess leave request. Through MOL with justification. Higher chain of command approval typically required.
• Recoupment risk assessment if separating with unearned advance leave. Coordinate with your S-1 and the unit Staff Judge Advocate.
• Pay verification during advance or excess leave. Pull through MyPay each payday.
• DFAS Marine Corps Pay direct contact. Phone 1-888-332-7411 (DSN 312-571-9450 from overseas).

Where to Go Next on This Site

• Leave and Liberty landing page lists all the leave and liberty topics.
• Annual Leave covers the foundational accrual framework.
• Emergency Leave covers leave for family emergencies.
• Pay Problems and Fixes covers the recoupment framework if advance leave is unearned at separation.
• Separation Payments covers the final pay processing including any recoupment.

Related Roles

• Leaders coach Marines on the recoupment risk before approving advance leave near separation.
• Admin at S-1 verifies the accrued balance, processes advance and excess leave authorizations, and tracks the recoupment exposure.
• Commanders approve advance leave for legitimate need. Approve excess leave only in extraordinary circumstances given the no-pay impact on the Marine.

Advance leave is borrowing against future accrual at 2.5 days/month. Pay continues during advance leave. Recoupment of unearned portion at separation. Excess leave is no-pay, no-allowances status. Used in extraordinary circumstances. Plan around the no-pay impact carefully. Both require chain of command approval based on the specific circumstances.