Emergency Leave

Start Here If You Are New to Emergency Leave

Emergency leave is granted up to 30 days for death or imminent illness or injury of immediate family. The American Red Cross provides emergency communications verification (especially required for OCONUS Marines requesting funded leave travel). Emergency leave IS chargeable against your accrued leave balance, but funded leave travel is provided for OCONUS Marines. Immediate family typically includes spouse, children, parents, parents-in-law, siblings, and grandparents (extent of coverage varies by command policy and circumstances). Commanders are required to liberally approve emergency leave during family emergencies.

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

• The 30-day standard maximum (extendable in extraordinary circumstances)
• Immediate family coverage definition
• The American Red Cross verification process
• Funded leave travel for OCONUS Marines
• Pay continuation during emergency leave
• The relationship to bereavement leave
• The 24/7 emergency leave processing requirement

Every fact on this page comes from MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J Chapter 2 paragraph 12 and Chapter 4 paragraph 5 (19 May 2009), the Joint Travel Regulations, and American Red Cross Emergency Communications procedures.

What Emergency Leave Is

Per MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J Chapter 2 paragraph 12, emergency leave is granted in extraordinary circumstances involving death or imminent illness or injury of immediate family.

Emergency leave IS charged against the Marine's accrued leave balance (chargeable leave). The Marine Corps provides expedited approval and funded leave travel (for OCONUS Marines) to support the Marine during family emergencies.

Eligibility (Qualifying Events)

Emergency leave is granted for.

• Death of immediate family.
• Imminent death (terminal illness with limited time remaining) of immediate family.
• Serious illness or injury of immediate family requiring the Marine's presence.

Immediate Family Definition

Immediate family for emergency leave purposes typically includes.

• Spouse.
• Children (biological, adopted, step, foster).
• Parents (biological, adoptive, step, in loco parentis).
• Parents-in-law (depending on command policy).
• Siblings (biological, half, adopted, step).
• Grandparents (depending on command policy and the Marine's relationship).
• Other family members at command discretion based on circumstances.

The local commander has discretion to interpret immediate family broadly when circumstances warrant.

American Red Cross Emergency Communications

The American Red Cross provides emergency communications verification through Service members and family members. The Red Cross verifies the family emergency and provides the Marine and the Marine's command with documentation.

When Red Cross Verification Is Required

• For OCONUS Marines requesting funded leave travel.
• For deployed Marines requiring emergency leave coordination.
• For Marines whose command requires verification before approval.

When Red Cross Verification Is NOT Required

• For CONUS Marines requesting standard emergency leave (the command may approve based on family communication and command discretion).
• When the command grants leave on Marine's representation pending later verification.

How to Initiate the Red Cross Process

The family member contacts the American Red Cross at 1-877-272-7337 (or local Red Cross chapter). The Red Cross.

1. Verifies the emergency through hospital, mortuary, or medical facility records.
2. Communicates the verification to the Marine's command.
3. Provides documentation supporting the leave request and any funded travel.

Approval Process

Per MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J Chapter 2 paragraph 12 and Chapter 4 paragraph 5.

24/7 Processing

Emergency leave processing is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The unit Officer of the Day (OOD), Staff Duty Officer (SDO), or appropriate after-hours command duty position handles emergency leave requests outside normal business hours.

Standard Approval Authority

The Marine's commanding officer or designated leave granting authority approves emergency leave. The standard approval authority can grant up to 30 days.

Extensions Beyond 30 Days

Extensions beyond 30 days are extraordinary and routed through the chain of command for approval. Common grounds for extension include.

• Continuing medical crisis requiring the Marine's presence.
• Extended bereavement processing or estate matters.
• Military requirement for the Marine's presence (e.g., serving as fiduciary).

Pay Continuation

Per MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J Chapter 2 paragraph 12, the Marine on emergency leave continues to receive.

• Basic pay.
• BAH.
• BAS.
• Special pays the Marine is entitled to.
• Other entitlements per the standard framework.

The Marine remains in a duty status (in a leave status) for pay purposes.

Funded Leave Travel for OCONUS Marines

Per MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J Chapter 4 paragraph 5 and the Joint Travel Regulations, OCONUS Marines requesting emergency leave to attend a family emergency in CONUS are eligible for funded leave travel.

What Funded Leave Travel Covers

The funded leave travel provides government transportation (typically a commercial airline ticket) from the OCONUS PDS to the funded location nearest the family emergency. The Government covers the round-trip transportation cost.

Documentation Requirements

The Marine submits.

• The emergency leave request.
• The American Red Cross verification.
• The proposed travel itinerary.
• The destination address (the family emergency location).

The S-1 routes the funded leave travel request through the appropriate channels (typically the Defense Travel System or the local TMO) for processing.

CONUS Marines Travel at Their Own Expense

CONUS Marines pay for their own emergency leave travel unless extraordinary circumstances exist (e.g., the Marine is OCONUS for a temporary deployment and needs emergency leave home).

Relationship to Bereavement Leave

Bereavement leave is the post-funeral processing leave granted following a death in the immediate family. Some Service Members refer to emergency leave as "bereavement leave" colloquially.

In the Marine Corps framework, emergency leave covers both.

• The pre-event period (imminent death or illness, requiring the Marine to attend).
• The funeral and post-funeral period.

Marines do not have a separate "bereavement leave" entitlement beyond the emergency leave framework.

Effect on Promotion, Awards, and Career

Emergency leave does NOT adversely affect.

• Promotion timing.
• Awards eligibility.
• Career advancement.
• Security clearance.

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

Documentation

Common documentation includes.

• American Red Cross verification (especially for OCONUS Marines and funded travel).
• Death certificate, medical records, or hospital documentation.
• Funeral or memorial service information.
• Family member contact information for the chain of command.

The unit S-1 processes the emergency leave through MOL.

Verifying Emergency Leave Authorization

A leave authorization confirms the emergency leave entitlement.

Step 1. Notify the Chain of Command

The Marine notifies the chain of command immediately upon learning of the family emergency. The notification can be made directly to the OOD/SDO outside normal business hours.

Step 2. Initiate Red Cross Verification (If Required)

For OCONUS Marines or when required by the command, the family member contacts the American Red Cross at 1-877-272-7337.

Step 3. Submit the Emergency Leave Request

The Marine submits the leave request through the chain of command. The request includes the duration, destination, and emergency contact information.

Step 4. Coordinate Funded Leave Travel (OCONUS)

For OCONUS Marines, the S-1 coordinates funded leave travel through the Defense Travel System or the local TMO.

Step 5. Verify the Authorization

The leave authorization is documented in MOL. The Marine receives the authorization.

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

My grandmother is dying. Can I take emergency leave?

Yes. Grandparents are typically considered immediate family for emergency leave purposes. Coordinate with your chain of command for approval.

How long can I take for emergency leave?

Standard authority is up to 30 days. Extensions beyond 30 days require chain of command approval based on extraordinary circumstances.

Does emergency leave count against my 60-day annual leave cap?

Yes. Emergency leave IS chargeable against your accrued leave balance. Unlike convalescent leave (which is non-chargeable), emergency leave reduces your accrued leave balance.

Will the Marine Corps pay for my flight home for the emergency?

For OCONUS Marines, yes. Funded leave travel is provided per MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J Chapter 4 paragraph 5 and the Joint Travel Regulations. CONUS Marines typically pay for their own travel unless extraordinary circumstances exist.

What if my family emergency happens during a deployment?

The American Red Cross emergency communications process supports deployed Marines. The Red Cross verifies the emergency and coordinates with your deployed command. Emergency leave is approved with funded travel from the deployment location to home.

Do I need American Red Cross verification?

For OCONUS Marines requesting funded leave travel, yes. For CONUS Marines, your command may grant emergency leave on your representation pending later verification or without formal verification depending on circumstances.

What is the Red Cross phone number?

The American Red Cross emergency communications line is 1-877-272-7337. Available 24/7.

Can I extend my emergency leave?

Yes if extraordinary circumstances justify. The extension is routed through the chain of command for approval.

I am a single parent. My child is sick. Can I take emergency leave?

Yes. Imminent illness of an immediate family member (your child) qualifies for emergency leave. Coordinate with your chain of command and provide medical documentation.

Will my pay continue during emergency leave?

Yes. Basic pay, BAH, BAS, and special pays continue throughout emergency leave.

Where to Go for Help

Routing by Issue

• Emergency leave request. Through your chain of command immediately upon learning of the family emergency. Contact OOD/SDO outside normal business hours.
• American Red Cross emergency communications. The family member contacts 1-877-272-7337.
• Funded leave travel for OCONUS Marines. Coordinate with your S-1 and the local TMO.
• LES verification during emergency leave. Pull through MyPay each payday.
• Extensions beyond 30 days. Submit through chain of command with documentation of extraordinary circumstances.
• 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 chargeable leave framework that emergency leave draws from.
• Convalescent Leave covers non-chargeable medical recovery leave.
• Foreign Leave covers leave to foreign countries (not the same as emergency leave).
• Death Payments covers the Marine's family if the Marine themselves dies.

Related Roles

• Leaders ensure 24/7 emergency leave processing through OOD/SDO. Coach Marines on the Red Cross verification process for OCONUS scenarios.
• Admin at S-1 processes emergency leave requests through MOL and coordinates funded leave travel for OCONUS Marines.
• Commanders liberally approve emergency leave during family emergencies. Extensions beyond 30 days require chain of command coordination.

Emergency leave provides up to 30 days for family emergencies (death or imminent illness/injury of immediate family). Chargeable against accrued leave balance. Funded leave travel for OCONUS Marines per MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J Chapter 4 paragraph 5. American Red Cross verification at 1-877-272-7337. 24/7 processing through OOD/SDO outside normal business hours. Liberal approval expected from commanders.