Use It or Lose It Published Feb. 19, 2015 By Airman Connor J. Marth 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- A new leave carryover allowance policy will be rolled out Sept. 30. Airmen will now only be allowed to carryover 60 days of leave, a change from the 75 days allowed in fiscal year 2014. At the end of each 12-month period, any leave exceeding 60 days will become obsolete. Sixty days of leave accrual has been the baseline for many years explained Lt. Col. Diltrice Thomas, 366th Force Support Squadron commander. Congress identified the need to increase those days for military members unable to take leave due to deployments, operations, or response to natural disasters. They added a provision to the National Defense Authorization act in 2012 to allow military members 15 additional days. However, the provision is set to expire at the end of FY15 and the number of days will drop back to 60. Each month, two and a half days of leave are generated and added to the pool shown in Leave and Earnings Statements. Although every Airman generates the same amount of leave, those with a longer time in service should pay particular attention to this new policy. "The people who are in the use it or lose it area, my master sergeants and seniors, think they don't have time to take leave," said 2nd Lt. Cameron White, 366th Comptroller Squadron financial services flight commander. "As leaders, we understand that flight chiefs and superintendents are busy people and we want them to be as motivated and relaxed as possible, that's why it's crucial they find the time to take leave." Taking leave isn't always possible however, and in those cases, Airmen are encouraged to apply for Special Leave accrual. "The simplest way to apply for special leave accrual is to request through a unit commander to have that leave carry over. The 366th FSS, Military Personnel Section will compile a list of all personnel eligible for special leave accrual and they will circulate that to all unit commanders," said Thomas. "They have to have a good reason to actually get special leave accrual and the unit commander will know if an individual qualifies." Leave is important, not only to those taking it, but also to those running the show. Base leaders understand healthy and motivated Airmen are the key to completing the mission; getting some time off plays a big role in achieving that. "It all plays into resiliency; we want our Airmen to get out their schedules and plan some leave throughout the year. We don't want to overwork anyone," said Chief Master Sgt. David Brown, 366th Fighter Wing command chief. "Your squadron and the Air Force will get by without you at work for a little bit. Take the time and smell the roses, but understand when it's time to get back to work, we need to work hard."