Expert: Rod Powers - 3/18/2007

Question
Can an active-duty soldier be on the TV show Survivor?  I know that way back before 9/11, an active-duty soldier was on the show, but I have seen no one since?  Are there regulations against it?  I would appreciate any answers you have.  I have exhausted all my other research options.

Answer
Hi Scott,

Sure they can. I know of no regulations which would exclude this.

The problem would probably be taking enough consecutive leave (vacation time) to complete the program.

Military members earn leave (vacation time) at the rate of 30 days per year. But, active duty members are usually not allowed to take more than 30 days of leave at a time, unless their commanding officer approves it as an exception. I don't follow "Survivor" much, but I understand that the contest itself is 30 days. Add that to the time for travel, preparation, ect., and anything else that may be required, I would guess that it would vastly exceed the standard 30 day consecutive leave limit.

Now, add this to the fact that active duty military members can be recalled from leave, at any time, based on "military necessity."

"Military necessity" can mean anything from a deployment, to a special tasking for the unit, to someone in the duty section getting hurt or sick, requiring recall of the person on leave to take up the slack.

Keep in mind that while shows like "Survivor" are popular, the military couldn't give a crap about them, so just being selected to participate in the Contest wouldn't constitute any reason not to be recalled from leave, if necessary.

It could be that the producers of "Survivor" aren't willing to select contestants which can be yanked out of their show at a moment's notice. It could be that many commanders aren't willing (or able) to release personnel for longer than 30 days of leave. In any event, there are no regulations against it.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com