AFMC emphasizes post-deployment downtime policies Published June 23, 2010 By Chrissy Cuttita Team Eglin Public Affairs EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Supervisors were asked to ensure compliance policy on down-time following deployment in a May letter from Air Force Material Command. "When our personnel return from a contingency deployment, they need time to reconstitute and catch up with events at home," said Gen. Hoffman, AFMC commander. "Therefore, I am directing all personnel returning from a contingency deployment to be given downtime upon arrival at their home station." For accountability, personnel are asked to report to their home unit prior to starting leave. Leave should start no later than seven days after returning to home station and the number of days is dependent on the number of days deployed. Service members are required to attend a reintegration briefing held Wednesdays at the Eglin Readiness Center as soon as they return. Call Master Sgt. Christopher Baucom at 882-4319 to schedule. "A member is allowed no more than 14 days - which 4 of the days are a pass which allows the member to travel freely," said Senior Master Sgt. Thomas Walker, superintendent, 96th Comptroller Squadron. "The other 10 days the member must remain 'present for duty' with their duty location being at 'home.' 'Home' is defined as the location the member commutes from daily for normal duty." During this 10-day timeframe, military are expected to be at home taking care of personal and professional matters, to include proficiency matters. Post-deployment downtime also follows the same guidelines found in the Military Leave Program (Air Force Instruction 36-3003). For example, personnel are required to provide emergency contact information to their supervisor prior to departing and remember to be incompliance with policies in order to receive benefits. "If members are injured during their down time and it's determined that they are in violation of this policy they could be subject to a line of duty determination resulting in non-payment of medical costs, for example," said Sergeant Walker. Other post-deployment downtime rules apply to personnel deployed more than 365 days in the preceding 36 months and Air Force Civilians returning from contingency deployments. General Hoffman also said it is important to recognize the additional workload folks may have incurred at the home station while the member was deployed. It is at the commander's discretion to provide downtime for these employees as appropriate. "I want to thank the men and women of AFMC who continue to superbly support our Nation's defense," said General Hoffman. "I am very proud of our entire team and the way AFMC continues to step up to the challenges of sustaining an increasing tempo. The most important contribution we can make to combat readiness is the care and nurturing of our people." Team Eglin personnel who don't fall under AFMC can expect guidance from their command. For any questions on post deployment policies, contact your unit deployment manager.