Convalescent leave is a nonchargeable absence from duty granted to expedite a Soldier's return to full duty after illness, injury, or childbirth. The unit commander or designee is the approval authority for up to 30 days convalescent leave for a Soldier returning to duty after illness or injury. NGB is the only approval authority for requests in excess of 30 days.
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Extended Convalescent Leave (In Excess of Thirty Days)
Overview: The Office of the Chief Surgeon, Army National Guard (ARNG-CSG), reviews and approves all convalescent leave requests in excess of 30 days for all Title 32 (T32) AGR Soldiers IAW with NGR (AR) 600-5 Paragraph 3-8 (c.). ARNG-CSG is the only approval authority for this leave request. This insures that:
a. All cases are judged by a common medical standard;
b. The Soldier is properly profiled in e-PROFILE; and,
c. ARNG Case Management tracks Soldier's issue until resolution.
For requests in excess of thirty days, and extensions beyond thirty days, the State submits the required documents to the ARNG Chief Surgeon General. ARNG-CSG medical personnel review the medical documents and ensure that approval of convalescent leave is appropriate. As soon as a decision is rendered, the MATS Module is updated and a formal memo is generated that the State can immediately view.
Extended Convalescent Leave Process:
1. General Officer Command (GOCOM) will compile the following documents and send to MNHF-AGR.
a. Signed DA Form 31 (By Soldier, Supervisor, and Approval Authority) that states additional days of convalescent leave (beyond the original 30 days that can be granted by Unit Commander).
b. Soldiers Temporary Profile (DA Form 3349) that meets treating providers’ restrictions and duration.
c. Treatment plan from the treating physician which clearly defines the Soldier’s medical condition, limitations, and expected date of recovery (both limited and full duty).
2. MNHF-AGR will review packet/forward to NYARNG Deputy State Surgeon for review/approval.
3. NYARNG Deputy State Surgeon will review and approve/disapprove request on DSS memorandum.
4. If approved by DSS, MNHF-AGR will upload DSS memorandum along with above documentation into MATS for ARNG-CSG approval.
5. ARNG-CSG will approve or deny extended convalescent leave request.
6. MNHF-AGR will notify GOCOM/DSS of ARNG-CSG approval/denial.
7. If approved, unit will insure Soldier inputs extended convalescent leave as separate leave request from previously approved convalescent leave.
Important Extended Convalescent Leave Notes:
1.) Soldiers in a convalescent leave status should not be capable of performing any military duties under a temporary profile, either at the Armory or office site, or even at home (if there is an assignment or duty which the Commander deems appropriate while recuperating).
2.) Some civilian physicians operate under a civilian occupational health model wherein a worker cannot return to work until fully capable of performing all job requirements; however, the Army expects a Soldier to perform limited duty for which they are capable. If the Soldier has limitations or restrictions to duty performance, a temporary profile is written and the Soldier is managed through eCase.
3.) A State military provider must ensure that an appropriate temporary or light duty profile (that meets the treating provider's restrictions) has been issued with e-PROFILE. The Soldier must supply a letter or treatment plan from the treating physician, with any applicable medical documents, which clarifies the medical condition, limitations, and expected date of recovery (both to limited and full-duty).
4.) If a unit knows that a Soldiers will need an extended convalescent leave period in excess of thirty days, then the unit must begin coordination with the AGR Medical NCO immediately and NLT than two weeks into the initial thirty day convalescent leave period. If the unit fails to submit request, NGB will likely deny the request and the Soldier must charge ordinary leave for any period over the initial thirty day convalescent leave period.
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Parental Leave
1. Maternity Convalescent Leave: limited to 6 weeks non-chargeable leave for covered birth parent immediately after childbirth beginning first day after discharged (may be taken consecutively with either primary or secondary caregiver leave).
2. Primary Caregiver Leave: limited to 6 weeks non-chargeable leave for covered Soldiers who meet definition of primary caregivers in conjunction with qualifying birth events or adoptions (may be taken consecutively with maternity convalescent leave or approved ordinary leave).
3. Secondary Caregiver Leave: limited to 21 days of non-chargeable leave for covered Soldiers who are designated as secondary caregivers and must be taken within 1 year of qualifying birth event or adoption (may betaken in conjunction with maternity convalescent leave and/or approved chargeable ordinary leave).
The above information regarding parental leave is an excerpt from policy and used as reference only. Refer to AD 2019-05 (Army Military Parental Leave Program) below for additional information.
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For additional information contact:
AGR Branch Manager at (518) 786-4488
or
AGR SGM at (518) 786-4626
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References:
NGB Convalescent Leave Info Paper
AD 2019-05 (Army Military Parental Leave Program) 22 Jan 2019
