It's the military. You don't get to just take off without using leave. You may very well get two weeks off, but you'll be using leave to do it. Can't do it? Just means you'll have to stay within 350, but still may not even have to muster. Want to try breaking the rules? See last 500 stories about A-Poolers *beep*ing up.
Agreed except in very rare circumstances (like Ivan). We got 2 weeks of "leave" during and after the hurricane. We had to phone muster and stay within "a day's drive" of P-cola. Some guys drove up to Norfolk!
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I don't have access to the last 500 stories of A-Pool shenanigans. To which stories are you refering? Drive out of bounds to shoot some protected birds, get arrested, and "phone muster" with your 1 phone call? Shame on you! A slap on the wrist. Steal decorations from local businesses? Well, you'll get a below in headwork, but carry on. Break into some random house, trash it, and pass out? At least you didn't drink and drive!
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Seriously though, I understand that sometimes good people make bad choices, but these are felony charges! I have to say I'm surprised that each of those Sailors are still in flight training, let alone the Navy. Would an airline pilot, business person, Joe the Plumber, or anyone else get off that easy (no charges/fines, and/or keep their job)? I'm not in a position to say how each case should have been handled because I don't have all the info, but I am surprised that nobody even got dropped from flight training for any of what I mentioned above.