Stand-To!- U.S. Army Central Command Rest and Recuperation Leave Program - March 19, 2008

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Edition: Wed, March 19, 2008
Rich-text Version
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
"We saw an opportunity to make a difference in our community because  
there are problems in the area where heroes are no longer heroes  
because they took shortcuts to get to the top, then were exposed for  
taking the shortcut, so we're trying to help guide these students.  
The message we're sending is based on the importance of duty, honor  
and country that was drilled into our heads at the academy ... doing  
the right thing when sometimes that right thing is not as easy as  
doing the wrong thing."

-Carl P. Cecil, president of the West Point class of 1979, at an  
ethics and leadership seminar for high school students

West Point sponsors high school ethics conference

TODAY'S FOCUS
U.S. Army Central Command Rest and Recuperation Leave Program

What is it?

The U.S. Army Central Command (USCENTCOM) Rest and Recuperation (R&R)  
Leave Program provides 15 days of chargeable leave to service members  
and Department of Defense (DOD) Civilians who are deployed on one- 
year tours to contingency locations within the USCENTCOM area of  
responsibility in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring  
Freedom. The program provides fully funded travel from Kuwait City  
International Airport to the commercial airport nearest the  
participants’ final leave destinations worldwide. The program  
operates flights 365 days a year. Unit commanders determine when  
individuals will participate on the basis of present-for-duty levels  
mission requirements, and individual preferences. Effective July 13,  
2007, service members and DOD Civilians deployed on 15-month tours  
were authorized 18 days of chargeable leave, and the unit personnel  
absence ceiling was raised to provide as many service members and  
Civilians as possible with the opportunity to participate. The  
Secretary of the Army is the DOD Executive Agent and delegates  
operational responsibilities to Army G-1, Human Resources.

What has Army done?

Since the program’s inception on Sept. 25, 2003, more than 549,968  
eligible individuals have taken the opportunity to strengthen and  
renew relationships with Family and friends and to experience the  
personal renewal provided by this respite from combat operations. The  
Army has established a network of routine and emergency life support  
provisions, in-transit billeting, food service, medical and  
behavioral health support, and 24-hour-a-day ticketing and travelers’  
assistance services for all program participants. Most recently, the  
Army has initiated the development of a standard operating procedure  
for emergency medical services that will institutionalize procedures  
for caring for R&R participants who must deplane outside of the  
continental United States to receive emergency medical care.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future?

The Army program continues to enhance its transportation and support  
networks to provide more expeditious and cost-effective service.  
Policies and resourcing levels are planned to sustain this service  
for as long as desired by the combatant commander.

Why is this important to the Army?

Congress and DOD senior leadership recognize that R&R opportunities  
are vital to maintaining combat readiness and capability for units  
deployed and engaged in intense, continuous operations. It promotes  
increased operational effectiveness by mitigating the effects of  
prolonged combat stress and Family separation.

U.S. Army Central Command Rest and Recuperation Leave Program

INFORMATION YOU CAN USE
• 2008 Strategic Communication Guide - Read the 2008 Army Strategic  
Communication Guide for key messages and updates

• Strategic Communication Coordination Group (SCCG) Workspace

• Army Public Affairs Portal

• Stories of Valor

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