R&R and SR&R Leave Programs

Start Here If You Are New to R&R and SR&R

Three programs provide rest from extended duty. Rest and Recuperation (R&R) Leave is for combat zone deployments. Marines on R&R get a mid-tour break (typically 15 days) with funded transportation home. Special Rest and Recuperative (SR&R) Absence is for OCONUS Marines extending tours under the OCONUS Tour Extension Incentive Program (OTEIP). 15 to 30 days, plus round-trip Government transportation. Environmental and Morale Leave (EML) is for Marines stationed at designated remote OCONUS locations. Each program has specific eligibility, duration, and funded travel rules.

This page walks you through R&R and SR&R from your seat as a General Marine. By the end you will know.

• R&R Leave for combat zone deployments (mid-tour break)
• SR&R Absence for OCONUS extension volunteers (OTEIP)
• Environmental and Morale Leave (EML) for designated remote locations
• The relationship to OCONUS Tour Extension Incentive Program (OTEIP)
• Funded leave travel framework for each program
• Eligibility differences between R&R, SR&R, and EML

Every fact on this page comes from MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J Chapter 2 paragraphs 13-15 (19 May 2009), DoD 7000.14-R Volume 7ADoD 7000.14-R Volume 7A Chapter 14, Title 10 U.S.C. section 705Title 10 U.S.C. section 705, and DoDI 1327.06DoDI 1327.06.

Rest and Recuperation (R&R) Leave Programs

Per MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J Chapter 2 paragraph 13, R&R Leave Programs provide a mid-tour rest period for Marines on extended combat zone deployments.

Eligibility

Marines deployed to a designated combat zone or qualified hazardous duty area for extended periods (typically 9 months or more) are eligible for R&R Leave. The specific deployment length triggering R&R eligibility depends on the operation and the Combatant Command's policy.

Duration

R&R Leave is typically 15 days. The Combatant Command sets the specific R&R policy for the operation. Some operations may authorize 14 or 16 days based on specific circumstances.

Travel Time Excluded from R&R Days

The travel time between the deployed location and the R&R destination is typically excluded from the R&R day count. The Marine spends roughly 15 days at the R&R destination plus the travel time at no leave charge.

Funded Transportation

The Government provides funded transportation from the deployed location to.

• The Continental United States (CONUS) for Marines whose home is in CONUS.
• Other designated R&R destinations approved by the Combatant Command.
• The Marine's home of record or family location.

The funded travel covers the round-trip flight from the deployed location to the R&R destination. The Marine is responsible for any additional travel from the funded port of arrival to the final R&R destination.

Pay During R&R Leave

The Marine continues to receive all combat zone pays during R&R Leave per the Pay and Allowance Continuation framework (Vol 7A Chapter 13). HFP/IDP, FSA, HDP-L, and CZTE continue throughout R&R.

The Combat Zone Tax Exclusion page covers the CZTE framework. The Hostile Fire Pay and Imminent Danger Pay page covers HFP/IDP.

R&R Leave is Chargeable

R&R Leave IS chargeable against the Marine's accrued leave balance. The Marine uses 15 days of accrued leave for the R&R period.

The Marine should ensure the accrued balance is sufficient before departing. Advance leave may be authorized if the balance is insufficient (per the Advance and Excess Leave page).

R&R Leave Authorization

R&R Leave is authorized through the deployed unit's chain of command per the Combatant Command's R&R policy. The Marine submits the R&R request through MOL or unit-specific procedures. The unit S-1 coordinates the funded travel through the appropriate channels.

Special Rest and Recuperative (SR&R) Absence

Per MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J Chapter 2 paragraph 14 and Vol 7A Chapter 14, SR&R Absence is one of the four benefits available to Marines under the OCONUS Tour Extension Incentive Program (OTEIP).

OTEIP Context

The OCONUS Tour Extension Incentive Program (Vol 7A Chapter 14) provides incentives to Marines who extend an OCONUS tour at a designated location for at least 1 year. The four benefit options are.

• Special pay (up to $80/month).
• Annual bonus (up to $2,000/year).
• 30 days SR&R absence.
• 15 to 20 days SR&R absence with round-trip Government transportation.

The OCONUS Tour Extension Incentive page covers OTEIP in detail.

SR&R Absence Eligibility

A Marine eligible for OTEIP per Vol 7A Chapter 14 paragraph 2.1 elects SR&R Absence in lieu of the special pay or bonus. Eligibility requires.

• Entitlement to basic pay.
• A specialty designated by the Service for OTEIP.
• Completed an OCONUS tour at a Service-designated location.
• Executed an agreement to extend the tour for not less than 1 year.

SR&R Duration Options

Per Vol 7A Chapter 14 paragraph 3.2.

Option 1. 30 Days SR&R Absence

A period of SR&R absence for not more than 30 days. The Marine takes 30 days of leave in lieu of the special pay or bonus. No funded transportation is provided with this option.

Option 2. 15 Days SR&R Absence with Funded Transportation (12-Month Tour)

A period of SR&R absence for not more than 15 days for Marines whose qualifying tour is 12 months or less. Plus round-trip transportation at Government expense from the OCONUS location to the nearest port in the 48 contiguous states (or alternative destination at no greater cost).

Option 3. 20 Days SR&R Absence with Funded Transportation (Tour Longer Than 12 Months)

A period of SR&R absence for not more than 20 days for Marines whose qualifying tour is longer than 12 months. Plus round-trip Government transportation as above.

SR&R Absence is Non-Chargeable

Per Vol 7A Chapter 14, SR&R Absence is non-chargeable. The leave is NOT charged against the Marine's accrued leave balance. This is one of the SR&R benefits compared to standard leave.

Travel Time

Per Vol 7A Chapter 14 paragraph 3.3, travel time from the CONUS port (or alternate destination) to the SR&R absence point and return is INCLUDED in the 15-day or 20-day SR&R absence. The non-chargeable leave period continues until the day before return to the designated port. Travel time between the CONUS port and the OCONUS location is non-chargeable and NOT included in the 15-day or 20-day SR&R.

SR&R Limitations

Per Vol 7A Chapter 14 paragraph 3.4, the SR&R absence and round-trip transportation option does NOT combine with any temporary duty or transportation entitlement that would result in the round-trip portion of the option exceeding the round-trip cost from the Marine's tour of duty station to the nearest CONUS port.

Combat Readiness Restriction

Per Vol 7A Chapter 14 paragraph 3.2 NOTE, the SR&R provisions are NOT effective unless the Secretary concerned determines that the application will not adversely affect combat or unit readiness. The Service Secretary controls the activation.

Environmental and Morale Leave (EML)

Per MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J Chapter 2 paragraph 15, Environmental and Morale Leave (EML) is for Marines stationed at designated remote or isolated OCONUS locations.

Eligibility

Marines stationed at designated EML locations qualify for EML. Common designated EML locations include.

• Diego Garcia.
• Other remote OCONUS bases on the EML designated list.

The DoD Per Diem, Travel, and Transportation Allowance Committee (PDTATAC) maintains the EML location list.

Duration

EML is typically 14 to 21 days based on the specific designated location. The duration is set by the EML location designation.

Funded Transportation

EML provides Space-Available transportation (or funded transportation in some cases) from the EML location to a designated EML hub (typically a major U.S. military airport).

EML is Chargeable

EML IS chargeable against the Marine's accrued leave balance. Unlike SR&R, EML is regular leave with the addition of funded or Space-A transportation.

Comparison Table

Application Process

R&R Leave Application

The Marine applies through the deployed unit's chain of command per the Combatant Command's R&R policy. The unit S-1 coordinates funded travel.

SR&R Absence Application

The Marine applies through the OTEIP framework per Vol 7A Chapter 14 and Marine Corps Order 1300.8 Chapter 6 Section 13. The Marine elects the SR&R option at the time of the OCONUS tour extension agreement.

EML Application

The Marine applies through the unit S-1 per the EML location's specific procedures. Space-A transportation is coordinated through the local Air Mobility Command (AMC) terminal.

Common Questions Marines Ask

I am deploying to Iraq for a 12-month tour. Will I get R&R Leave?

Per MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J Chapter 2 paragraph 13, yes for extended combat zone deployments. The specific R&R policy depends on the Combatant Command. Typical R&R is 15 days mid-tour with funded transportation home. Coordinate with your deployed unit's chain of command.

Is R&R Leave chargeable against my accrued balance?

Yes. R&R Leave IS chargeable. You use 15 days of accrued leave for the R&R period. Ensure your balance is sufficient before departing.

I am extending my OCONUS tour by 1 year under OTEIP. Can I get SR&R Absence?

Per Vol 7A Chapter 14 paragraph 3.2, yes. SR&R Absence is one of the four benefit options under OTEIP. You elect either 30 days SR&R OR 15-20 days SR&R plus funded round-trip transportation. SR&R is non-chargeable.

What is the difference between SR&R and regular leave?

SR&R is non-chargeable (does not draw from your accrued leave balance). Regular leave is chargeable. SR&R is the trade-off for choosing it instead of the special pay or bonus under OTEIP.

I am stationed at Diego Garcia. Do I get EML?

Diego Garcia is typically on the EML designated list. EML is regular chargeable leave plus funded or Space-A transportation. Verify the current EML designation through your S-1.

Can I combine R&R Leave with regular annual leave?

Standard R&R Leave is the 15-day mid-tour period only. Extending the leave beyond 15 days is treated as regular annual leave (chargeable, no extension of funded travel). Coordinate with your deployed unit's chain of command.

Will my CZTE continue during R&R Leave?

Per the Combat Zone Tax Exclusion page and Vol 7A Chapter 13, yes. CZTE continues during R&R Leave for the qualifying month. Combat zone pays (HFP/IDP, FSA) also continue throughout R&R per the PAC framework.

Can I take SR&R at any time during my OCONUS extension?

The Marine elects SR&R at the time of the OCONUS tour extension agreement. The Service determines the timing within the extension period. Coordinate with your career planner and the unit S-1.

Where to Go for Help

Routing by Issue

• R&R Leave application. Through the deployed unit's chain of command per the Combatant Command's R&R policy.
• SR&R Absence election. At the OCONUS tour extension agreement per Vol 7A Chapter 14 and MCO 1300.8MCO 1300.8 Chapter 6 Section 13. Coordinate with your career planner.
• EML application. Through the unit S-1 per the EML location's procedures.
• Funded travel coordination. The unit S-1 with the local Defense Travel System or AMC terminal.
• 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.
• OCONUS Tour Extension Incentive covers OTEIP and the four benefit options including SR&R.
• Hostile Fire Pay and Imminent Danger Pay covers HFP/IDP that continues during R&R.
• Combat Zone Tax Exclusion covers CZTE that continues during R&R.
• Hardship Duty Pay covers HDP-L for designated remote OCONUS locations.

Related Roles

• Leaders ensure deployed Marines understand the R&R policy and submit applications timely. For OCONUS Marines, brief on SR&R as an OTEIP option.
• Admin at S-1 coordinates funded travel for R&R, SR&R, and EML through the appropriate channels. Maintains documentation per MOL and MCTFS.
• Commanders endorse R&R applications based on operational requirements. Approve SR&R elections for Marines extending OCONUS tours.

R&R Leave provides mid-tour combat zone rest with funded transportation home. SR&R Absence is the OTEIP non-chargeable benefit (30 days OR 15-20 days plus funded transportation). EML is regular leave for designated remote OCONUS locations with funded or Space-A transportation. Each program has specific eligibility, duration, and travel rules. Coordinate with the unit S-1 for the specific framework.