MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz. -- Besides limiting early departures for Marines traveling in their privately owned vehicles to their leave address, the newest version of the Marine Corps’ leave and liberty order contains 16 other clarifications or changes.
Marine Administrative Message 352/09, published June 10, 2009, announced the cancellation of the previous Marine Corps Order for leave and liberty, MCO P1050.3H.
One clarification regards special liberty periods falling within a Marine’s leave. If the leave overlaps a 96- or 72-hour liberty period, they will be charged leave on the days of liberty. It will not be counted as “free leave” just because the rest of the unit is on liberty.
The order also states that commanders will grant up to 21 days permissive temporary assignment of duty for any Marine adopting a child, an increase to the 10 days previously authorized. Commanders are also required to give up to 10 days PTAD for any married Marine whose spouse gives birth, depending on the unit’s mission. If a Marine is deployed during the birth of their child, the commander must grant them PTAD within 30 days of their return.
According to the new order, Marine Online is now the primary means to approve or deny leave and liberty, as well as checking in and out procedures. However, Marines on TAD or PTAD who require emergency leave can be issued leave orders through the Defense Travel System.
Some other changes were made to ensure Marines avoid losing the leave they earn.
Marines who are deployed on a ship or mobile unit for at least 60 days continuously, or are serving on other unscheduled operations for at least 60 continuous days are authorized up to 120 days of special leave accrual.
Also, the number of days allowed for special rest and recuperation when extending tours overseas has also been increased to 20 days when using the government paid round trip option.
Marines who are separating from the Marine Corps in an overseas location may now request more than 60 days of leave, but it must be approved by Headquarters Marine Corps.
The Marine Corps also has discontinued the use of the armed forces liberty pass, form DD 345. Individual commands should develop methods for creating and distributing liberty passes, according to the order.
Marine Corps Recruiting Command was granted the authority to grant newly commissioned officers up to an additional 60 days of nonchargeable leave after they have completed their post-graduation leave.
Another revision states when an officer is being forcibly separated from the Marine Corps, a board of inquiry has the authority to put that officer on leave starting at any time and ending only after the Secretary of the Navy has closed the officer’s case.
Los Angeles International Airport Marine liaison has been removed as the point of contact for overseas Marines on emergency leave. The point of contact for all Marines on emergency leave is now their nearest Traffic Management Office.