Vacation and annual leave

[Fire1]

I was wondering how much annual leave time the department expects me to use after graduation before reporting for initial assignment. I am waiting to hear the final decision on the status of the may class by the commission before they send me my official invitation letter. I was also wondering how reasonable it is to expect to take a large (as in a week and a half ) chunk of vacation time off some time after break-in. I am thinking about possibly getting married some time in that first year but am thinking it would really suck to make plans and then have the Sarge say ?Oh, sorry, you are actually going to have to work that week/weekend, even if I had the time off. Just wondering how that whole vacation time thing works out in reality.

[dw]

I was wondering how much annual leave time the department expects me to use after graduation before reporting for initial assignment. I am waiting to hear the final decision on the status of the may class by the commission before they send me my official invitation letter. I was also wondering how reasonable it is to expect to take a large (as in a week and a half ) chunk of vacation time off some time after break-in. I am thinking about possibly getting married some time in that first year but am thinking it would really suck to make plans and then have the Sarge say ?Oh, sorry, you are actually going to have to work that week/weekend, even if I had the time off. Just wondering how that whole vacation time thing works out in reality.

At the Academy, you will earn 40 hours of CTO (compensation time off) through your 27 weeks. You will graduate on a Friday, have the next nine days off, and report on Monday. (Of the nine days off, five use your CTO and four are RDOs, regular days off)

Regarding a vacation in the first year, it should be possible, but you may not have a lot of choice. In our business, a week and a half is pretty short. Guys (and girls) take off six, eight, twelve weeks in a row. (Remember, your first year, you'll have about six weeks off if you go with the annual leave program) Additionally, you will earn vacation in the Academy, so it is just a matter of scheduling the time once you get to your Area. Unfortunately, you're not going to know when you can take vacation until you report to Area -- and I wouldn't go in on your first day of break-in and start asking when you can leave.

[Mac]

I got married in my first year on the job, and didn't have any problem getting the time off. I turned in a special request memo and it came back from the Lieutenant marked "DENIED - YOU'LL THANK US FOR THIS LATER!" in big red felt pen. :badgrin: Their words ultimately proved prophetic - nevertheless, they granted me the time off.

[prittimaki]

Just give enough heads up notice to the scheduling sergeant and you should be taken care of.