Air Force Interpretation of Military Leave Law

GAO was requested to comment on the correctness of the Air Force's method of charging military leave. Applicable legislation permits military leave which accrued and is unused during fiscal year (FY) 1981 to be carried over to FY 1982. However, the Air Force policy statement is that any unused military leave to an individual's credit on September 30, 1980, could not be carried over into FY 1981, because the law did not permit a carryover of military leave between FY 1980 and 1981. Therefore, it is the opinion of GAO that such a policy statement is in accord with the intentions of the amendments to the legislation. While it is unfortunate that some individuals suffered an unexpected loss of leave while others realized an unexpected gain in entitlement to such leave, the amendment must be applied in accordance with its terms.