The Control Number in Block 1 isn’t your responsibility, so you shouldn’t worry about it. Write your name in Block 2, your SSN in Block 3, and continue to place identifying the personal information in the appropriate boxes. When you write the date, use the date you’re filling out the form rather than your ideal leave date.
Under “Leave Address,” you should write the address of your destination. If that’s your home, then your home address is what you should use. If you’re going on vacation, you should use whatever address your resort or hotel is at.
In Block 7, you’ll have to choose what type of leave you’re requesting. Ordinary leave is the most basic non-emergency leave, in which you’ll use your accrued vacation and sick days to relax. Permissive Temporary Duty will be authorized by your Commander. Emergency leave should be used in any of the aforementioned emergencies. “Other” is the box for any type of leave that doesn’t match the first three situations.
Block 8 asks you to give the phone number and other important contact information regarding your unit.
In Block 9, you’ll indicate how many days you intend to take leave. First, you’ll fill in how many days you’ve accrued, how many you intend to use during this particular leave if any days have been given to you on the advance, and any remaining excess days.
Block 10 is where you’ll write the dates you plan to take your leave. Sign the document in Block 11. You don’t have to do anything in Blocks 12 or 13 since these are the responsibility of your supervisor. The said supervisor will either approve or deny the leave and check the appropriate box.
You’ll use Blocks 14 through 16 to check out on leave and check back in when you get back. When you depart on your leave, the departing authority will sign the form. When you return, you’ll have an authority sign to show that you checked back in. If any extensions of the leave need to be filed, you’ll use Block 15 for this.
Don’t use Block 17! The “Remarks” box is only supposed to be used by your approving authority. They’ll make any relevant comments about your leave that they feel should be reflected on the form.
You only need to fill out Part II if you’re requesting emergency-based leave. The section exists to give you information about how you can return home following a coordinated emergency leave from the Red Cross. You’ll also use this section to fill out your important contact numbers, which you’ll use as a reference point during your travels.
Part III only applies if you’re bringing your family with you on leave. Most commonly, this happens when a family lives at the base, and they all go on vacation together. Your wife and children both count as dependents. The two options on the form boil down to: your car has room to take the dependents, or the dependents need to receive authorized transportation.
After checking either of the blocks, you’ll make an indication of whether they’re coming on a round-trip or just a one-way adventure. Then, you’ll list your dependent or dependents, along with their DOB, Passport Numbers, and relationship to you.
Don’t write anything in Part IV. It’s a space for your authorizing officer to use, not you.[pdf-embedder url=”https://cdn-prod-pdfsimpli-wpcontent.azureedge.net/pdfseoforms/pdf-20180219t134432z-001/pdf/da-31-fillable-pdf-free.pdf?sv=2018-03-28&si=readpolicy&sr=c&sig=MXHnWmn0sXNXztiU%2Bugk2d7DV7KBCOuXF3oBMx0EeEw%3D”]