Q: I started at the Bureau of Land Management July 19, 2009, with no previous federal experience, except U.S. Army. I retired from the Army (early retirement) with about 17 years and 6 months active duty and six years Reserve. I have been told that as I retired from the Army, I am not due more leave time; I need to start at the bottom. Some people say that my Army time should count toward years of service for more leave. Can you enlighten me?
A: For retired members of the armed forces, annual leave credit is only given for 1) actual service in a war declared by Congress or while participating in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge is authorized or 2) all service when retirement was based on a disability received as a direct result of armed conflict or caused by an instrumentality of war and incurred in the line of duty during a period of war as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(11).
