Special Leave Accrual (SLA) allows Service members who serve in hostile fire / imminent danger (HF/IDP) area for a continuous period of at least 120 days to accumulate and retain up to 120 days of leave (60 days of ordinary leave, plus 60 days of SLA-protected leave). The intent of SLA is to provide relief to Service members who are not allowed leave when undergoing lengthy deployment or during periods of hostility.

Based on the continuing impact of COVID-19 and Service members' ability to take leave during the national emergency, the military services extended SLA through fiscal year 2021 (FY21). Service members that performed active service (as defined in 10 U.S.C § 701(a)) during FY21 were authorized to accumulate annual leave in excess of 60 days (not to exceed 120 days) as shown on the end of month September 2021 Leave and Earnings Statement. This SLA leave balance may be retained until the end of FY24 (30 September 2024).

Leave earned after 30 September 2021 will not be SLA protected unless earned during an eligible deployment. Leave earned above the SLA protected balance in FY22 and beyond must be used during the fiscal year it was earned or will be lost at the end of that fiscal year. Service members are responsible for tracking and managing their own leave.