New leave policy changes in effect Published Dec. 3, 2009 By Senior Airman Shane Dunaway 36th Wing Public Affairs ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- As the peak of the holiday season draws near, many Airmen consider taking a breather to spend time with their friends and family. With the recent changes to Air Force Instruction 36-3003 regarding the Military Leave Program, the importance of knowing leave entitlements and rules becomes paramount. The Air Force Personnel Center released the updated AFI Oct. 26 with the following key changes implemented: - Paragraph 4.3.1 now allows commanders to delegate disapproval authority to first-line supervisors. - Paragraph 6.8.3 adds guidance for involuntary excess leave for officers. - Paragraph 8.4.3 authorizes member to use a special pass in conjunction with leave without having a duty day between the two. However, Airmen must take leave either before or after the special pass, not before and after. - The AFI authorizes commander use of permissive temporary duty to preside over a retirement ceremony when appropriated funds are not available. - Table 7, Rule 47 gives Airmen the opportunity to request permissive temporary duty as an applicant of a qualifying child adoption. - Table 7, Rule 48 allows unit commanders to approve up to 10 days paternity leave for members whose wife gave birth to a child on or after Oct. 14, 2008. - Chapter 15 sets guidelines for the Post-Deployment Mobilization Respite Absence Program. This program is designed to compensate active duty Airmen who deploy beyond a 1:2 dwell rate or for reserve Airmen who deploy beyond a 1:5 dwell rate. For each additional month beyond those respective dwell rates, the members earn extra days off. For more information on the recent AFI changes or the PDMRA program, search AFI 36-3003 on http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/ or contact the 36th Force Support Squadron's military personnel flight at 366-2276.