Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 8/1/2007

Question
Hi Ma'am! I was wondering if I go through boot camp and AIT, can I delay my first duty station until my daughter gets out of school in May? I am planning to leave Sept 24th. I will be out of AIT around February.

Answer
Dear Jillian --

No, you will not be able to delay reporting to your new duty station from February through May.  You will not have sufficient leave (vacation time) saved up.  

You could delay entry into the service from now until May, see her graduate and then begin your training.

Alternatively, you could begin training now, graduate from AIT, report to your new duty station, and then ask your new commander for a week or so of leave to see your daughter graduate.  There is no guarantee that your commander will approve your leave.  However, it has been my experience that a good reason for leave (such as attending a child's or sibling's graduate) means your chain of command try to ensure you have the time off you need.  If you start basic training in September, you should have about 17 days of leave saved up.  Of course that means you do not use very much leave at all while you travel from basic to AIT and from AIT to your first duty station.

Good luck to you.