Convalescent Leave (Sick Leave)

Start Here If You Are New to Convalescent Leave

Convalescent leave is non-chargeable medical recovery leave authorized when competent medical authority determines a Marine requires recovery time outside the duty environment. The initial period is typically 30 days, extendable for documented medical need. Convalescent leave does NOT count against your accrued leave balance or the 60-day annual leave cap. Pay, allowances, and benefits continue throughout. The Marine must be under medical care and follow the prescribed recovery plan. Common scenarios include post-surgery recovery, serious injury rehabilitation, illness recovery, and mental health treatment recovery.

This page walks you through convalescent leave from your seat as a General Marine. By the end you will know.

• Convalescent leave is non-chargeable
• The 30-day initial period framework
• Extension authority based on medical documentation
• The role of competent medical authority in authorization
• Pay continuation during convalescent leave
• The relationship to hospitalization and sick in quarters
• Documentation and tracking requirements

Every fact on this page comes from MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J Chapter 2 paragraphs 17-18 (19 May 2009), DoDI 1327.06DoDI 1327.06, and DoDI 6025.19DoDI 6025.19.

What Convalescent Leave Is

Per MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J Chapter 2 paragraph 17, convalescent leave (also referred to as sick leave) is leave granted to a Marine under treatment by competent medical authority to allow the Marine to recover from illness, injury, or surgery away from the duty environment.

Convalescent leave is non-chargeable. It does NOT count against the Marine's accrued leave balance or the 60-day annual leave fiscal year cap.

Eligibility

A Marine is eligible for convalescent leave when.

• Competent medical authority determines the Marine requires recovery time outside the duty environment.
• The Marine is under medical care and following a prescribed recovery plan.
• The recovery period is documented in writing by the medical authority.

Common eligible scenarios include.

• Post-surgery recovery (orthopedic, cardiac, abdominal, dental surgery, etc.).
• Serious injury rehabilitation (combat or non-combat injury requiring extended recovery).
• Illness recovery (post-hospitalization for serious illness).
• Mental health treatment recovery (post-inpatient psychiatric care).
• Pregnancy postpartum recovery (the 6-week period for birth parents on Active Duty).
• Substance use disorder recovery (post-residential or intensive outpatient program).

Authorization

The competent medical authority (typically a military medical provider, Uniformed Health Care, or partner civilian provider for OCONUS or remote locations) writes the medical determination authorizing convalescent leave.

Initial Period (Typically 30 Days)

Per MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J Chapter 2 paragraph 17, the initial convalescent leave period is typically up to 30 days. The medical authority sets the specific duration based on the medical condition and recovery needs.

Extension Authority

Convalescent leave is extendable beyond 30 days when the medical authority determines additional recovery time is required. Extensions are documented in writing by the medical authority.

Common Extension Scenarios

• Major surgery with complications requiring additional recovery.
• Combat injury requiring physical therapy and rehabilitation.
• Mental health treatment requiring extended outpatient stabilization.
• Long-term illness recovery (e.g., post-cancer treatment).

Pay Continuation

Per MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J Chapter 2 paragraph 17, the Marine on convalescent leave continues to receive.

• Basic pay.
• BAH (housing allowance).
• BAS (food allowance).
• Special pays (HDIP, FLPB, SDAP, etc.) the Marine is entitled to.
• Other entitlements per the standard framework.

The Marine remains in a duty status for pay purposes. The Marine is in an authorized medical recovery status for duty assignment purposes.

Documentation

The Marine documents convalescent leave through the unit S-1. Common documentation includes.

• Medical authority's written determination authorizing convalescent leave.
• Specific recovery period (start and end dates).
• The medical condition justifying the leave.
• Recovery instructions (limitations on travel, physical activity, etc.).
• Follow-up appointment schedule.

The unit S-1 enters the convalescent leave in MOL with the appropriate non-chargeable code.

Travel During Convalescent Leave

The Marine is allowed to travel during convalescent leave to.

• The Marine's home of record.
• A family member's home for support during recovery.
• Other locations approved by the medical authority.

Travel restrictions may apply based on the medical condition (e.g., flight restrictions after surgery, geographic limitations to facilitate follow-up care).

The medical authority's recovery instructions govern travel restrictions.

Hospitalization vs. Sick In Quarters vs. Convalescent Leave

Per MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J Chapter 2 paragraph 18.

Hospitalization

The Marine is admitted to a medical facility (hospital, clinic, treatment facility) for inpatient care. Pay continues. The Marine is in a duty status as a hospital patient.

Sick In Quarters (SIQ)

The Marine is restricted to quarters (typically the BEQ or BOQ for unmarried Marines, or the dependent residence) for short-term illness or injury recovery. Pay continues. The Marine is in a duty status. SIQ typically does not exceed 7 days.

Convalescent Leave

The Marine is authorized to leave the duty environment (typically traveling to home of record or another approved location) for extended recovery. Pay continues. The Marine is in a non-chargeable leave status.

The medical authority determines which framework applies based on the recovery needs.

Convalescent Leave for Birth Parents (Active Component)

Active Component birth parents receive a 6-week initial postpartum convalescent period as part of their Military Parental Leave Program entitlement. This convalescent period is counted within the 84-day MPLP entitlement.

The Military Parental Leave Program page covers MPLP in detail.

Convalescent Leave for Birth Parents (Reserve Component)

Reserve Component birth parents receive a 6-week mandatory postpartum convalescent period per MARADMIN 191/26MARADMIN 191/26. No IDT is scheduled during this period. After the 6-week convalescent ends, the Marine is eligible for up to 6 RCML periods within the 8-week post-birth window.

The Reserve Component Maternity Leave page covers RCML in detail.

Light Duty and Leave

A Marine on light duty (medical limited duty profile) has specific restrictions that affect leave eligibility and execution.

Light Duty Profile Definition

A medical authority issues a light duty profile when the Marine has a medical condition restricting normal duty performance but does not require full convalescent leave. The profile specifies.

• Physical limitations (no running, no lifting over X pounds, no field duty, no deployment, etc.).
• Duration of the profile.
• Follow-up appointments.
• Specific activities restricted (e.g., no PFT/CFT, no swim qualification, etc.).

Leave Eligibility During Light Duty

A Marine on light duty IS eligible to take annual leave, emergency leave, and other authorized leave types. The light duty profile does NOT prevent leave use. The Marine remains in active service status.

Travel Restrictions During Light Duty

The medical authority's profile may impose specific travel restrictions during the leave period.

• Geographic restrictions (e.g., must remain within a certain distance of medical facilities for follow-up).
• Air travel restrictions (e.g., no flights for X weeks post-surgery).
• Specific medical follow-up requirements (must attend appointments at the home medical treatment facility).

The Marine plans the leave consistent with the profile restrictions.

Physical Activity Restrictions During Leave

The Marine on light duty during leave must comply with the profile activity restrictions. Recreational activities that violate the profile (e.g., skiing while on a no-physical-impact profile, hiking while on a no-walking-distance profile) may extend the medical recovery and should be avoided.

The Marine returning from leave with an injury exacerbated by activity violating the profile may face medical board action and limited duty extensions.

Light Duty Profile vs. Convalescent Leave

The two are distinct.

• Light duty profile. Marine continues to perform modified duty within the profile. Leave is taken as normal annual or emergency leave.
• Convalescent leave. Marine is medically excused from duty entirely. Leave is non-chargeable.

The medical authority determines which applies based on the medical condition.

Pregnancy Light Duty (Different Framework)

Pregnant Marines have specific light duty considerations per MCO 5000.12FMCO 5000.12F (consolidated into MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J per MARADMIN 191/26MARADMIN 191/26). Pregnancy-related light duty is separate from the post-birth convalescent period (which is part of MPLP for Active Component or RCML for Reserve Component).

Coordination with Medical Authority

A Marine on light duty planning leave coordinates with the medical authority to ensure.

• The leave timing accommodates required medical appointments.
• The leave activities are consistent with profile restrictions.
• Any travel restrictions are documented in the leave authorization.

The unit S-1 supports the leave processing in coordination with the medical authority's profile documentation.

Effect on Promotion, Awards, and Career

Convalescent leave does NOT adversely affect.

• Promotion timing (the Marine remains in active service status).
• Awards eligibility (the Marine remains a Marine in good standing).
• Career advancement (the Marine returns to duty after recovery).
• Security clearance (the Marine remains in good standing).

Marines on extended convalescent leave coordinate with the chain of command to ensure career and personal milestones are not adversely impacted.

Return to Duty

The medical authority determines when the Marine is fit to return to duty. The return to duty determination considers.

• Recovery from the medical condition.
• Ability to perform required duties.
• Any limitations or restrictions.

The Marine reports to the unit on the day of return per the convalescent leave authorization.

Profile Restrictions

The medical authority may issue a profile (limited duty restrictions) for the Marine returning from convalescent leave. The profile specifies.

• Physical limitations (no running, no lifting over X pounds, etc.).
• Duty restrictions (no field duty, no deployment, etc.).
• Duration of the profile.
• Follow-up appointments.

The unit chain of command accommodates the profile until the medical authority clears the Marine for unrestricted duty.

Verifying Convalescent Leave Authorization

A leave authorization confirms the convalescent leave entitlement.

Step 1. Obtain Medical Authorization

The Marine receives the medical authority's written determination for convalescent leave with start and end dates.

Step 2. Submit to S-1

The Marine submits the medical authorization to the unit S-1 for processing.

Step 3. Verify in MOL

The convalescent leave is entered in MOL with the non-chargeable code.

Step 4. Verify Pay Continues

Pull the LES during convalescent leave and verify all entitlements continue (basic pay, BAH, BAS, etc.).

Step 5. 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 having knee surgery. Will my recovery time count against my leave balance?

Per MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J Chapter 2 paragraph 17, no. Convalescent leave is non-chargeable. The medical authority writes the determination authorizing the recovery period (typically 4 to 6 weeks for knee surgery). Your leave balance is not affected.

How long can I take convalescent leave?

The medical authority determines the duration based on the medical condition. The initial period is typically up to 30 days. Extensions are allowed for documented medical need.

Can I travel during convalescent leave?

Yes, subject to the medical authority's recovery instructions. The medical authority may impose travel restrictions based on the condition (e.g., no air travel for X days after surgery). Coordinate with the medical authority.

Does convalescent leave affect my promotion timing?

No. The Marine remains in active service status during convalescent leave. Promotion timing, awards eligibility, and career advancement are not adversely affected by convalescent leave.

I am pregnant and planning my postpartum convalescent. Is that convalescent leave?

For Active Component birth parents, the 6-week postpartum convalescent is part of the Military Parental Leave Program (MPLP). The Military Parental Leave Program page covers the framework. For Reserve Component birth parents, the 6-week convalescent is part of RCML per MARADMIN 191/26MARADMIN 191/26. The Reserve Component Maternity Leave page covers the framework.

I had a mental health inpatient stay. Can I take convalescent leave for outpatient stabilization?

Yes if the medical authority writes the determination. Convalescent leave applies to mental health recovery the same as physical recovery. The medical authority sets the duration and any limitations.

I am separating in 90 days. Can I take convalescent leave?

Yes if medically authorized. Convalescent leave does not depend on remaining service. The separation timing and convalescent period interact with terminal leave and final out-processing. Coordinate with your S-1 and medical authority.

Can my command extend my convalescent leave beyond the medical authority's determination?

No. Only the competent medical authority can authorize or extend convalescent leave. The command supports the medical determination.

What documentation does my S-1 need?

The medical authority's written determination with start and end dates of the recovery period, the medical condition justifying the leave, and any specific limitations or restrictions. The S-1 enters the convalescent leave in MOL.

Where to Go for Help

Routing by Issue

• Convalescent leave authorization. Through your medical authority (typically the Naval Medical or Marine Corps clinic provider).
• Convalescent leave processing in MOL. Your S-1 with the medical authority's written determination.
• Extension of convalescent leave. Through your medical authority. The medical authority writes the extension determination.
• Profile restrictions and accommodation upon return. Coordinate with your unit chain of command and the medical authority.
• LES verification during convalescent 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.
• Military Parental Leave Program covers MPLP for Active Component birth parents and the 6-week convalescent.
• Reserve Component Maternity Leave covers RCML for SELRES (Selected Reserve, what most Marines call SMCR or the Reserves) birth parents.
• Annual Leave covers the chargeable leave framework.
• Illness or Injury Pay Continuation covers PAC for combat-related injuries.

Related Roles

• Leaders track Marines on convalescent leave and ensure profile restrictions are accommodated upon return.
• Admin at S-1 processes convalescent leave authorizations through MOL with the medical authority's documentation.
• Commanders coordinate with the medical authority to support the recovery framework.

Convalescent leave is non-chargeable medical recovery leave authorized by the medical authority. The initial period is typically 30 days, extendable for documented medical need. Pay, allowances, and benefits continue throughout. The medical authority's written determination drives the leave authorization. Convalescent leave does not adversely affect promotion, awards, or career advancement.