POST DEPLOYMENT/MOBILIZATION RESPITE ABSENCE (PDMRA)
On August 7, 2007, the Army released a message informing Soldiers about the new Post Deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence, or PDMRA. PDMRA is a new category of leave similar to administrative leave in the civilian sector. It is a DOD program intended to compensate Soldiers with days of non-chargeable leave when required to mobilize or deploy with a frequency beyond established rotation policy goals. The program only applies to deployments and mobilizations underway on, or commencing after, 19 Jan 07. I want to take a few minutes and try to explain this very confusing policy.
First and foremost, Soldiers should recognize that there are no tax benefits like combat zone exclusions for taking this leave. This program does not replace or circumvent traditional leave accrual. Soldiers will earn both their standard 2.5 days per month as well as PDMRA, if qualified. I’ll break this up into Active and Reserve (National Guard) forces.
After 12 months deployment, eligible Soldiers earn ONE day of administrative absence. Those Soldiers with 18 months deployed begin to earn TWO days and those with 24 months will earn FOUR days. The deployments must occur within a 36 month period. Here’s how it works:
If you deployed for a 15 month tour AFTER the date above, you earn one day of PDMRA PER MONTH after the 12th month. Months 13, 14, and 15 each get one day for a total of three. If you deploy for 21 months, you earn two days of PDMRA PER MONTH after your 18th for a total of six days. Each month past 24 months earns four days per month. Now, this must occur within a 36 month window. If you deployed for 15 months and then didn’t deploy again for three years, your count begins back at zero for PDMRA. The only difference for the Reserve forces is that they have more time to accrue deployments. For those Soldiers, it is a 72 month window.
The deployments that are creditable under this program are to Afghanistan, Iraq or certain theater units and other areas as determined by the Secretary of the Army. For Reserve component Soldiers, creditable mobilizations are defined as mobilizations under Title 10 only and only include INVOLUNTARY mobilizations unless the duty is in conjunction with “deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan.” It gets a bit confusing for Reserve components, but here is the actual policy:
…for the Reserve component Soldiers, creditable mobilizations are defined as mobilizations under Title 10, United States Code, sections 12301a, 12302, or 12304. These are involuntary mobilizations. Voluntary mobilizations under 12301(d) /CO-ADOS, Retiree Recall) do not qualify for PDMRA, unless the 12301(d) mobilization/duty is in conjunction with ―deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan.‖ To qualify for PDMRA under a 12301(d) period of duty the Soldier must have documentation showing their Iraq/Afghanistan duty under Combat Zone Tax Exclusion (CZTE) on their LES showing the payment of Hostile Fire/Imminent Danger pay to verify the period of Boots on Ground (BOG) in Iraq or Afghanistan. More than 50% of the entire 12301(d) mobilization ―time‖ must occur BOG in Iraq or Afghanistan for a 12301(d) to qualify for any PDMRA. For example, one month of CZTE can be authorized/earned for one day in theater. Technically, a 12301(d) Soldier traveling to Iraq or Afghanistan one day per month for 6 months would earn 6 months CZTE and have an LES that indicates 6 months CZTE. However, that does not qualify the 12301(d) Soldier for any PDMRA since 50% of the mobilization ―time‖ was not preformed in theater.
For active component Soldiers, creditable deployment time commences on January 19, 2004, or the date that is 36 months prior to the Soldier‘s initial deployment, whichever date is most recent, and includes the day of the Soldier‘s arrival in theater through the date of departure from theater. For example: If the Soldier deployed October 10, 2007, creditable deployment time for the Soldier would include previous deployments back 36 months to October 10, 2004. A deployment on December 21, 2013, looks back 36 months for previous creditable deployment… December 21, 2010 in order to calculate the number of days of PDMRA earned. Make sense? It does to me, but if you’re CORNfused, that’s what the comments section is for. Ask away! The following image should explain it a little better. The red blocks account for deployment time. For qualified deployments, a number appears indicating how many days of PDMRA you have earned for that deployment.
PDMRA Example
Now for the REALLY confusing part – the Reserves and National Guard. For Reserve component Soldiers, creditable mobilization time commences on October 7, 2001, or the date that is 72 months prior to the Soldier‘s mobilization, whichever date is most recent, and includes the day the Soldier is initially mobilized through the date the mobilization is terminated; includes the effective date of the Soldier‘s mobilization orders through the date of the expiration of the mobilization order, to include periods of R&R and temporary duty (TDY) outside Iraq and Afghanistan for TDY periods of 30 days or less. For example: A deployment on December 21, 2013, looks back 72 months for previous creditable deployment(s)…December 21, 2007 in order to calculate the number of days of PDMRA earned. PDMRA accrual for RC Soldiers includes all qualifying mobilizations, not just to Iraq or Afghanistan. Only mobilizations under 12301(a), 12302, or 12304 qualify to accrue PDMRA. A 12301(d) period of duty also qualifies when it is documented that the 12301(d) period was in conjunction with a deployment in support of Contingency Operations in Iraq or Afghanistan; deployment time for this purpose includes the day of the Soldier‘s arrival on Title 10 at MOB station through his REFRAD date. PDMRA days do not continue to accrue while Soldier is on transition leave and/or extension of mobilization orders for the purpose of PDMRA usage. Here’s the reserve graphic explanation:
I think these images make a bit more sense than trying to explain it all. I could have saved a lot of energy just posting these at the beginning.
Now the question on probably every Soldiers’ mind is “how do I use it?” PDMRA can be used during any R&R leave period or in lieu of using chargeable annual leave at home station. However, you can’t add the PDMRA to R&R time. If you have 20 days of leave saved up and your R&R is only 14, you can’t extend that time period to use up your leave. You only get to use the 14 days. Soldiers may use PDMRA leave within 12 months of returning from deployment or during PCS travel. If you don’t use them within 12 months of returning from deployment, too bad, so sad. Leaders must make every effort to give their troops this time off within that timeframe. We owe it to them!
Soldiers who return from deployment due to an injury or are deemed to be “not fit for duty” will have one year to use their PDMRA from the day that they are determined to be “fit for duty.” This is good news for those Soldiers recovering from injuries sustained as a result of combat or their deployment, but stuck somewhere like Walter Reed for extended periods of time. Soldiers who are getting out of the Army can combine their ETS (terminal) leave with PDMRA.
PDMRA days do not continue to accrue for those Soldiers on transition leave and/or extension of mobilization orders for the purpose of PDMRA usage. It also doesn’t have a cash value like normal leave does. If it’s not used, it goes the way of GM dealerships and just disappears without a trace and no “cash out” option. For those Soldiers in the Reserve component with federal, state or local government civilian employment, you cannot by law receive civilian pay while using this leave. Since you are considered on active duty while taking this leave. However, there is a provision in the law that allows you to elect to receive Assignment Incentive Pay in lieu of PDMRA. For this purpose, the AIP would be valued at a rate of $200 for each day of administrative absence that otherwise would have been authorized/earned under the PDMRA program, but can’t exceed $3,000 per month. To request this, simply use the 4187 process (see your 1SG).
I hope this cleared up some of the confusion or lack of knowledge about this important way our nation shows its appreciation for what we’re doing. Our media likes to highlight all the down sides of these deployments while completely ignoring worthy programs like this, additional pay, and other benefits that Soldiers receive during and after deployments. We take care of our own and this is just another example of that.
If you have any further questions about the program, don’t hesitate to ask in the comments section so that others can learn along with you. Also, please see your PAC or 1SG. However, since I’ve been contacted by a few First Sergeants myself, they may not have the answer. In those cases, provide them with this link to educate them. They’ll thank you for it!
For services other than the Army, this program SHOULD work the exact same way. It’s a DOD program, not an Army one. We are just better at getting the word out there! 
Oh and I almost forgot, you can access a special calculator to help you figure out how much leave you may be due by clicking HERE.
MAJ Craig Driskell
June 4th, 2009 at 1:49 pm“PDMRA days do not continue to accrue for those Soldiers on transition leave and/or extension of mobilization orders for the purpose of PDMRA usage.”
Where can I find an ALACRAT or policy tht states that PDMRA days do not continue to accrue while on tranisition leave?
Thank you.
spc. masella
June 15th, 2009 at 7:49 pmi am a irr soldier and have been deployed to iraq again. my first deployment was for 15 months while on active duty. this deployment is for 14 months and i am basicly a reservist. how do i figure out how many days i should get
SGM W
June 19th, 2009 at 12:18 amSir,
the current PPG and the above traffic can help out. Once you “morph” to terminal leave, the calculation in completed: hence, your “free” days are calculated. If you disagree with this, please check with your personnel section (S/G/J-1) for further guidance. When outprocessing, it is to your best interest to nail thin ENTITLEMENT, not gift, to your entitlements.
v/r,
SGM W
SGM W
June 19th, 2009 at 12:21 amUpon review, replace a couple of “n”s with an “s”… FAT FINGERS
SSG Daisley
June 27th, 2009 at 4:06 amDo you earn ordinary leave (2.5 days a month) while on PDMRA leave?
Barry
July 15th, 2009 at 7:47 amI hope someone answers your question. I am in the same boat right now. I was deployed active duty Jan 05 to Jan 06 and I was pulled off IRR Jan 25 2009 for deployment to theatre. There’s actually a lot of us in the same situation and it seems like no one knows anything about IRR and policies and when you call ST. Louis you get sent to a voicemail and they never return your call.
MAJ M
July 17th, 2009 at 12:00 amI am AGR and have deployed with the same Reserve unit within a four year period. Since I am “Active”, I do not fall under Reserve 72 month rule, but fall under the 36 month criteria. My Reserve Soldier counterparts, who I deployed with on both mobilizaitons, have earned 30 days and I have earned 1 day. AGR Soldiers are often forgotten about when these new programs are developed. Am I missing something here???
matt
July 17th, 2009 at 6:22 amI was active duty and deployed twice to OEF and then ETS’d to the National Guard and I am on a third OEF deployment, did I loose my PDMRA days from active duty or should they roll over?:
Active Duty (OEF)
15 MAR 2004 – 27 MAR 2005
17 FEB 2006 – 28 FEB 2007
National Guard (OEF)
21 APR 2009 – 20 APR 2010
Help?
MSgt Angela Ash
July 21st, 2009 at 5:06 pmI am a member of Air National unit and we have had several deployments in the past several years. It appears several of our folks may be eligible for this program. Can we access the calculator to input air national guard members?
SFC Ellzey
July 23rd, 2009 at 3:55 pmPlease explain what “in conjunction” means that I copied from the article above that refers to Reserve and National Guard Soldiers:
A 12301(d) period of duty also qualifies when it is documented that the 12301(d) period was in conjunction with a deployment in support of Contingency Operations in Iraq or Afghanistan; deployment time for this purpose includes the day of the Soldier‘s arrival on Title 10 at MOB station through his REFRAD date.
SFC Ellzey
July 24th, 2009 at 11:27 amWhen using the PDMRA calculator, what determines whether to use 12031d-(OIF/OEF) or 12301d-(OTHER)as the USC?
SSG Martin Livingston
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:04 amHow do I find out which USC code I was mobilized under? It does not state it on my orders. It only says that I was mobilized in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
tyler
August 4th, 2009 at 2:39 amI am currently deployed to Iraq with the national guard, I was on a prior mobilization for 22 months also with the guard although it was stateside. I cannot get any answers as to wether I qualify for the PDMRA leave or not. My first mobilization was Operation Noble Eagle and was title 10.
Sgt Delgado
August 7th, 2009 at 9:13 amI was deployed to Afghanistan from February 1, 2006 to May 28, 2007. I am currently deployed to Iraq from November 27, 2008 to November 21, 2009. When I used the calculator, it said I do not get credit for my last deployment and that when I do get back in novmeber, I will only have aquired 24 days of leave. Is there a mistake or does my last deployment not count? My previous deployment is within the 36 month window. I was also deployed in 2003 to 2004 to afghanistan for 10 months but that is way outside the window. Thanks
Sgt Irving-Moyer
August 10th, 2009 at 10:36 amI was involunterly mob to Fort Hood TX for 365 days in 2008 and am now on CO-ADOS orders at Fort Dix under Title 10 12301 (d) for another 365 days. I had no break in service and am/was in support of OEF. Would I be entitled to PDMRA days?
Doug Heckman
August 10th, 2009 at 11:16 amI don’t have acess to a calculator and don’t understand how my first deployment will be used for the calculation. Can you help me with a calculation:
Oct 01–Oct 02 OEF
Mar 06 – Apr 07 OIF
Jul 09 – Jan 10 OIF
How much PDHMA will I have at the end of Jan 10? Thank you
David
August 25th, 2009 at 1:51 pmI was deployed twice with the National Guard and then with the Army Reserve within 36 months do i qualify for PDRMA?
robert
September 3rd, 2009 at 3:46 pmI was in the marines and went to iraq and afghan. now I am in the army in iraq again. Does my marine tours count with the PDMRA? It is all with in the back-to-back 5 year time window. Can any one help
marine side army
oef 04-05 oif 08-10
oif 06-06
antwon
September 4th, 2009 at 1:17 pmIf PDMRA balance is over 30days does the company commander sign off on it or does it have to go to the BDE SGM or commander
Dominic Budzisz
September 15th, 2009 at 6:35 amA Soldier can use PDRMA in place of their charged RR leave.
For example, Soldier has earned 13 day PDRMA, takes 15 days RR from Iraq. Are only 2 days charged while deployed.
Or does he have to wait until he returns to use this leave.
SSG Budzisz
Andrew
September 25th, 2009 at 8:57 amI just recently returned from Afghanistan and earned 31 days of PDMRA, NOT including my regular Leave. I recieved my PDMRA at Finance during DEMOB. When they add your PDMRA it is the whole time your on title 10 from mob, tour, demob and leave. I had 16 months from Iraq 04-05 and just finished Afghan 08-09 for 13 months total. Both deployments were with the National Guard. So after 12 months you get 1 additional day and when you get to 18 you get 2.5 additional days. But they do not go back to your previous deployments and give you leave for them it is just add for the current deployment. I hope this helps.
Kyle Satterlee
October 8th, 2009 at 12:23 pmIs there a maximum number of accruable days for PDRMA leave?
sfc c
October 15th, 2009 at 10:29 ami was authorized 24 days of leave based on the following dates: 27 jun 04 to 25 may 05 next deployment was: 6 oct 06 to 6 dec 07. acording to the calculator and based on my current deployment i will have earned about 27 days, does my S-1 have to substract the 24 days that i previously earned or do i qualify for the whole 27?
sgt t
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:02 pmI am a reservist that has been mobilized since jul 2005 continuous. I have trained soldiers that have mobed and deployed to afg/iraq. I want to know about this pdrma and how it works toward soldiers like myself, do i get? I am on tittle 10 orders …somebody help!!!!!
SSG CLYDE KOONTZ
November 8th, 2009 at 7:18 amI am in the National Guard & extended during my 2nd tour.They calculated my PDMRA & regular leave. They are trying to send me home in time to use both types of leave before my orders end. Is the PDMRA supposed to be used after my orders end?I’ll be losing 2 months in country & sounds like it would affect my PDRMA calculations. Can tou clear this up for me?
PO1
November 21st, 2009 at 8:07 pmWhat a great program! I wish they would extend it to the Navy as well with all the deployment time.
ROBERT WEST
December 6th, 2009 at 7:51 amWhen using the PDRMA calculator if some body is AGR do you use AGR or MDAY. The reason I ask is that AGR’s are removed from title 32 status to title 10. Could somebody help me with this question.
LS1 Donald Wrenn
December 7th, 2009 at 2:11 amI will have completed a total of 5 tours after this one, i received respite leave after my second mobilization, did not receive any after my third, I am now on my fourth mobilization and my fifth deployment (I did two tours back to back)….all of my tours were in a combat zone, I have been told that there are certain numbers on my MOB orders that determine which ones count, I am a Navy reservist,how do I tell which ones count?
SFC P
December 18th, 2009 at 3:42 pmDo I lose my perdiem when I use these pdmra days? I was told no but one S-1 shop and yes by another S-1 shop. I am confused. thanks. SFC P
Bill
December 30th, 2009 at 4:38 amSGT T – I have done the same thing for years. As far as earning PDMRA days while stateside it depends solely on your mobilization code. 12301 orders do not earn PDMRA days while stateside. 12302 orders do.
SSG Koontz – The Army has the right/option to send anyone back early to use all earned leave, whether it be PDMRA or annual leave. That practice has been used for a while but it is going away in some places. It is at the discretion of the unit you are deployed with, as their mission dictates.
Robert – if you are AGR you use AGR. You are not a M-Day Soldier.
SFC P -you are NOT entitled to perdiem while on PDMRA leave, just like you are not entitled to it while on ordianry leave.
You can use the calculator at https://minuteman.ngb.army.mil/PDMRA/default.aspx to see what PDMRA entitlements you are eligible for. Keep in mind, when going to this caluclator you have to have your USC code. Title 10 and Title 32 do not work.
Aaron Olsen
January 3rd, 2010 at 5:25 pmI am in Iraq and I volenterred to extend for another rotation, buy the end i will have 19 days of pdmra leave. The unit is trying to send me home with only the reg. leave, insted of using the pdmra and the leave to leave theater sooner. Can they send me home and once my leave is used up and my orders are over, can they extend them for the 19 days to use the pdmra? I dont understand what they can and cant do? I thought you had to use both reg leave and pdmra before the end date of your orders? Can someone please clear this up for me?
1SG Scharpe
January 8th, 2010 at 1:40 pmYes your orders can be extended to account for your PDMRA, that’s what they should be doing to allow you to collect it
Arlyce
January 9th, 2010 at 1:36 amMy question is. If your in the Reserves and National Guard and a MDAY soldier, does the soldier still have 12 months to be able to use the PMDRA leave? Lets say if a soldier didn’t want to take it right after they got back we cannot put the soldier on orders so they can use their leave so what happens?
retired
January 19th, 2010 at 6:46 amI was denied PDMRA in October 2008 when I got off my second deployment with the Arkansas Army National Guard. The contractors demobilizing the unit at Ft, Benning then by my USP&FO in Arkansas. I have made the rounds with the IG. My commander flat out refuses to support me on this issue. The AGR soldiers who deployed with me enjoyed this benefit but none of the M-day soldiers were allowed to receive it. How do I get it?
CW5 Houghton
January 21st, 2010 at 2:47 pmMany of our soldiers are currently on our second deployment. We are being told under no circumstances as a NG soldier can we exceede 400 days from the original order. I did not take a R&R during this deployment. I will earn 34 days od PDMRA leave and have my 30 days+ regular leave remaining. Am I trully to loose this or will our orders actually be extended out to allow us to us all that is awarded. I will be Demobing through FT Sill and that is the info being provided. Any input to this would be a greatly appreciated.
SGT T
January 22nd, 2010 at 10:49 amFor those who are questioning how many days of PDMRA they have, take note of this:
PDMRA “not” used within 12 months of returning from deployment or during PCS travel are lost. PDMRA days cannot be retained and carried to the new PDS for later use.
This was from the ArmyG1 website (http://www.armyg1.army.mil/MilitaryPersonnel/PPG/Hyperlinks/Adobe%20Files/PDMRA%20Information%20Sheet.pdf)
Make sure to use it up while you can.
William G
February 4th, 2010 at 3:26 pmALCON,
For those in a Reserve component who are wondering what USC code to put – that would be in block 14 of your DD214 you received when seperating from Active Duty. That is the comments block, and it will contain what USC you were ordered to active duty under.
For those soldiers who were in the 34th Infantry Division “Red Bulls” Minnesota National Guard and deployed from Aug 2005 to sometime in 2007 ours seems to be a special case as we were never awarded PDMRA. Our legislators are still batteling it out.
http://www.minnesotanationalguard.org/press_room/e-zine/articles/index.php?item=2384
Special instructions would have to be implemented since we were never given it nor the opportunity to use it and it is now past 12 months since the end of deployment.
And so we hurry up and wait…as soldiers do.
SSG G
SSG kuehlman timothy
February 8th, 2010 at 7:35 pmi am heading for Ft knox i am on med hold and heard from a soldier
that he lost his PDMRA while there the commander said that it is under commanders discretion and he lost it he is national guard so
what is the deal from what i read here he cant do that so somebody please give me some answers
SSG RAVENELL, RONALD
February 10th, 2010 at 8:00 amwhar army regulation covers \pdrma\
benitez
February 17th, 2010 at 8:31 pmwere can I get a copy of pdmra
SPC MESA,LUIS
February 19th, 2010 at 3:51 amI was just wondering if I got deployed from 08-13-04 thru 08-13-05 as an active duty.I went from active duty to National Guard and I am currently deployed from 10-01-09 thru 10-01-10 am I eligiable for this program since I am National Guard now do I get the 72 month speration.
THANK YOU
Jason Housley
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:59 amI was wondering if i qualified for PDMRA. I was on active duty from Aug of 1998 – Apr of 2008. I was deployed to Iraq from Sept 03-04 and Oct 06-07. If you could please let me know what i have to do to see if i qualify or a contact number.
Edwin Montalvo
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:53 pmI was wondering if I qualify for PDMRA. I am a reservist currently on OIF active duty beginning May 10, 2009 through Aug 10, 2010. Also I was on OIF active duty during Aug 27, 2006 – Aug 20, 2007, and OEF active duty from Apr of 2003 – Sep of 2003. Also OEF from May 2002, through Feb 2003.
If you could please let me know how many (PDMRA)days I have accumulated or qualify for will be appreciated.
If possible, please provide a contact number.