The DA 31 form, officially known as the Request and Authority for Leave, is used by military personnel to request leave from duty. It allows service members to formally document their request for various types of absences, including annual leave, emergency leave, and more. The form ensures that all necessary information is collected for processing the leave request.
Any active duty military member who wishes to take leave must complete the DA 31 form. This includes those in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Supervisors may also sign the form on behalf of the requestor if they are unavailable to do so.
The DA 31 form requires several key pieces of information:
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Name of the requestor (last, first, middle initial)
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DOD ID number
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Rank
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Leave address and contact information
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Type of absence (e.g., chargeable or non-chargeable leave)
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Dates of leave requested
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Signatures from the requestor, supervisor, and approving authority
Completing all sections accurately is essential for processing the request smoothly.
The DA 31 form allows for various types of leave requests, including:
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Annual (Ordinary) Leave
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Emergency Leave
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Environmental Morale Leave (EML)
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Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Leave
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Reenlistment Leave
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Rest and Recuperation Leave
Understanding the type of leave you are applying for is important, as it can affect how the leave is charged and processed.
Once the DA 31 form is submitted, it will go through a review process. Your supervisor will evaluate the request and either approve or disapprove it. If approved, the appropriate authorities will also sign off on the form. You will then receive confirmation of your leave status. If disapproved, your supervisor should provide a reason for the denial.
While there is no strict deadline, it is advisable to submit the DA 31 form as early as possible. This allows sufficient time for review and approval, especially during peak leave periods such as holidays. Check with your unit for any specific guidelines or timelines that may apply.