Leave expiration extended Published Dec. 16, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Valerie Hosea 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Leave is a valuable asset to service members that is hard-earned and used sparingly. Airmen are able to earn up to 75 days of leave without losing any, until Dec. 31, 2010, when the limit for accumulated leave time decreases. However, an announcement on Nov. 30 delayed this policy. Col. Bruce Lovely, Air Education and Training Command director of manpower, personnel and services, announced that the date has now been extended by almost three years. In his announcement he said the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act was signed on Oct. 28, 2009. This authorization act extended the expiration date until Sept. 30, 2013. When Airmen have more than 75 days of leave, each day over 75 is lost. Master Sgt. Leanne Ray, 82nd Comptroller Squadron personnelist, said there are ways to prevent that loss. "You can apply for Special Leave Accrual," she said. "This is a process that will allow you to keep the leave you've earned." Sergeant Ray said she believes the leave extension will be very beneficial to Airmen. "It will allow Airmen to carry over more leave without the formal application for Special Leave Accrual, which can take weeks to process," she said. "Since Airmen earn two and a half days of leave every month, it is a very valuable thing to protect."