Much has been written about the daily sacrifices made by the members of our uniformed services: they endure long work days as routine, relentless deployment schedules and in many cases a constant threat of recall.
Deployments keep them away from friends and families, and even at home duty schedules often interrupt weekend activities that most civilians take for granted.
Less often discussed is the subject of free time. True, the military does make unique demands on people and their time, but it also boasts one of the most competitive vacation plans of any large organization.
Even a fresh-faced E-1 straight out of boot camp earns 30 days of paid vacation a year, something you’d be hard pressed to find with other employers. Then, of course, there is the time off that doesn’t even count against your personal days.
These are days spent visiting exotic locations and exploring foreign lands, all the ideas that bring a young person to the military to begin with. Whether you are a sailor on shore leave in a new port or a soldier enjoying some well deserved rest and recuperation (R&R), liberty is not only an ideal to protect but also something to look forward to.
Every sailor knows the excitement and anticipation of waiting to hear the call over the 1 Main Circuit (1MC) system: “Liberty Call! Liberty Call!” The rush toward the brow is on par with anything seen at a wild concert venue, and the sailors waste no time getting off the ship for what may be the first time in many weeks (and the last time for at least as many more).
However, shore leave today is not the debaucherous frenzy that it historically was. Sailors today spend their time in new ports enjoying tours and activities offered by the command and engaging the local community through numerous volunteer projects.
While a small number of behavior-related incidents are inevitable in any group as large as a ship’s crew, on the whole modern sailors are considered ambassadors to the countries they travel to and make it a point to explore and experience new cultures.
Land services too have their own traditions and customs when it comes to R&R. According to MyArmyBenefits.mil, “Soldiers who are serving in areas designated as hostile fire and imminent danger area may be eligible for one Rest and Recuperation trip per 12-month deployment period.”
R&R is described officially as “a chargeable leave program that authorizes use of ordinary leave and may not be combined with other absences.”
There are, however, exceptions to this regulation and there is a way for certain soldiers to take advantage of leave that does not count against there accumulated days.
The Non-Chargeable Rest and Recuperation (NCR&R) program applies to soldiers serving specifically in Iraq and Afghanistan and allows them to take non-chargeable leave up to 15 days in addition to the benefits already provided under the R&R Leave Program.
The requirements are specific, in addition to the location where the soldier is deployed, they must also have a minimum of 270 days “boots on ground” and be approved for the time off by their unit Officer in Charge.
Though any one service member will have their own favorite leave destination, each as varied and unique as the people who make up America’s uniformed services, there are some classic locations around the world that have played host to deployed troops for so long now that they have become sort of “traditional” locations for each new enlisted generation to experience.
Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong are certainly among some of the most consistently popular locations. They are exotic and exciting places, the kind of destinations that inspire young people to join the service. Hawaii of course, so steeped in military tradition, is a highly sought after duty station and a favored port of call, not just for it’s natural beauty, but because for many West-coast ships it is the last port call before returning home from deployment.
“My favorite R&R location was always Dubai,” said Raz Singh, a local seven year Army Special Forces veteran. “It’s a totally different culture there and it’s beautiful. You get to experience all different kinds of things in one place,” he said. “For example, there’s an indoor ski lodge in a mall there and an indoor race track. It’s predominantly a Muslim culture there, but it’s also very modern and open.”
Other vets are of a different mind when it comes to time off, and some even prefer to spend their R&R on more familiar ground.
“My favorite place for R&R is Alvin, Texas,” said Johnny Rodriguez, a local four year Army veteran. “It’s where I was born and raised, and where my family all still live. The peace and quiet of the natural countryside is really peaceful, plus the BBQ isn’t bad either.”
Regardless of a person’s reasons to join the military, many decide to continue past their first enlistment as much for the military lifestyle as for the occupation itself. Because while the hardships can be many, so too can the rewards.
Liberty, R&R and leave are just some of the staples of that lifestyle which, along with friendly camaraderie, job stability and advancement opportunities continues to attract so many.