Program offers time off for lengthy deployments Published March 12, 2009 4th Force Support Squadron SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The Secretary of Defense Robert Gates mandated a new program recognizing servicemembers who are required to deploy frequently beyond their established rotation cycles. The post-mobilization respite absence program will grant days off to servicemembers who have deployed to U. S. Central Command's area of responsibility for more than a year with a departure date from the area of responsibility on or after Jan. 19, 2007. This is how PDMRA is earned: · One day earned per month for total deployment time between 12-17 months. · Two days earned per month for total deployment time between 18-24 months. · Four days earned per month for total deployment time more than 24 months. An Airman who deployed for 22 months would earn 16 absence days. The following requirements must also be met: The member must be on contingency, exercise and deployment orders or temporary duty station, permanent change of station or flight orders. The orders must state they are in support of Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. This can include, but is not exclusive to 365-day extended deployments. Creditable time begins on the day the member arrives in the AOR and continues through the member's departure date from the AOR. Aircrew on orders for missions into, out of, within or over the area of eligibility in support of military operations will count each day of operation as one day of eligibility. Creditable time continues to accrue during rest and relaxation, leave or TDY outside the deployed site of 30 days or less. Airmen may combine absence time with leave, however, it cannot be combined with or taken in conjunction with passes or post-deployment stand-down time. Absence time must be used within 12 months of their return from deployment or before a permanent change of station. If an Airman fails to use the PDMRA during this time period, it is forfeited. In the event that a court-martial or other administrative action has been initiated against a deployed Airman, their PDMRA accrual time is suspended, beginning with the day the administrative action is initiated pending final resolution of the matter. Commanders must document the suspension date. If the Airman is cleared of the charges, the Airman's PDMRA will be reinstated and recomputed based on established guidance. To request the PDMRA, Airmen must fill in block eight on their Air Force Form 988, (Leave Request and Authorization) as a permissive TDY with the reason annotated as PDMRA. Forms can be submitted to the wing's military personnel section. For more information, contact the customer support section at the wing military personnel section (919) 722-4023.