How servicemen can arrange leave
In July last year, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a bill initiated by the President of Ukraine to expand servicemen's rights to receive leave. All combatants were granted the right to an additional 14 days of leave at the commander's discretion. The law also enshrined the right to 15 mandatory days of annual leave. A serviceman can choose not to use these 15 days only at his own discretion. This was reminded by the Office of the Military Ombudsman.
They emphasized that the commander may limit some leaves due to a shortage of personnel — the law allows no more than 30% of the unit's personnel to be absent simultaneously. However, the mandatory 15 days of annual main leave must be granted regardless of the unit's staffing.
The Office of the Military Ombudsman analyzed complaints regarding leave provision and reported that servicemen are most often denied:
▪️ annual leave — 51% of complaints;
▪️ leave for family circumstances — 28%;
▪️ leave for treatment, rehabilitation, undergoing medical commissions or expert medical and social examination — 15%.
Reasons for refusals include:
▪️ ignoring or delaying the consideration of applications — 45%;
▪️ direct refusal to grant leave — 21%;
▪️ servicemen did not follow the procedure for submitting applications — 13%.
Some of these complaints (17%) were resolved by the Office specialists at the stage of communication with the military unit. Almost a third of complaints did not require consideration (consultations were provided, the issue lost relevance, the fact was not confirmed). In 26% of cases, inspections were appointed. Other complaints are being processed.
How to arrange leave
Submit an application addressed to the commander specifying:
▪️ type of leave;
▪️ desired period;
▪️ address of stay;
▪️ contact phone number;
▪️ attach supporting documents (for leave due to family circumstances or health reasons): for example, a marriage certificate or a medical commission conclusion.
After the commander's order, receive a leave ticket. Upon arrival at the leave location and before returning to the military unit, be sure to make the appropriate marks at the local Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support, if provided by the accounting procedure.
If the application is ignored:
▪️ if the immediate commander delays or refuses to consider it, the serviceman can submit the application to the brigade commander (through the military service);
▪️ if the military unit violates the right to 15 days of mandatory annual leave, the serviceman can complain to the Office of the Military Ombudsman.
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