Rest and Recuperation Leave and Post Operational Leave

What’s it for?

Life on operations can be physically, mentally and emotionally challenging – and after a period of continuous service, it’s important to take time to recharge your batteries. That’s why the MOD provides Rest and Recuperation (R&R) Leave for Service people who’ve been on continuous operational service for a period of four months or longer.

The time, location and duration of R&R is decided by the in-theatre commander. You may be allowed to travel home for R&R, although you could also be asked to take it close to the theatre in which you’re based.

For every nine calendar days you spend on an operational tour, you’ll also accumulate one day of Post Operational Leave, which can be taken when your tour comes to an end.

Neither R&R nor Post Operational Leave count against your entitlement to annual leave.

What do I get?

You’ll receive one day of Post Operational Leave for every nine calendar days you spend deployed on operations. When mobilised, Reservists will qualify for Post Operational Leave at the same rate as Regular Personnel. The maximum permissible period of R&R Leave is 14 nights, including travelling time.

The number of periods of R&R you’re entitled to depends on the length of your tour:

• 124 - 215 days = one period of R&R

• 216 - 337 days = two periods of R&R

• over 338 days = three periods of R&R

When can’t I use this?

You won’t be able to claim this if you receive seagoers leave.

How do I claim?

Providing the leave entitlement has been added on JPA by your Unit HR,and you have the agreement of your chain of command, if you have a Defence Gateway account you can then book it from your own personal device, using the My Leave app (part of the My Series), by following this link  A short video showing you how to use the app can be found here  (accessed  via MODNet. 

You can also book it on JPA. TThe Request for absence (leave) self-service user guide, which can be found at JPA user guides, tells you how to do this.

If you don’t have access to JPA then you should send JPA Form R001 (which can be found at JPA forms) to your line manager.