DA 31 Leave Form Details

Soldiers use the DA form 31 to request leave and record command approval for military leave. It sets the ground rules. Whether someone needs emergency leave or plans routine time off, this form captures the required details and creates a clear record for managing absences.

At the top, the service member fills in personal and unit information, social security number, along with contact details while away. Then they select the type of military leave and state the reason for the request. Dates matter here. The form asks for the exact start and end dates, total days requested, and the breakdown between chargeable leave and any non-chargeable absence.

In the middle of the form, the leave categories are listed, including:

• Annual leave
• Emergency leave
• Permanent Change of Station leave
• Reenlistment leave
• Terminal leave

After the soldier completes their section, the immediate supervisor reviews the request leave entry and makes a recommendation. Approval authority signs off if everything meets policy and operational needs. Those signatures confirm that the absence fits unit requirements and regulations.

The form also includes sections for extensions, departure verification, and return confirmation. That's needed for accurate record-keeping and helps finance teams track chargeable leave balances correctly.

Put simply, the DA Form 31 turns a leave request into an official, documented action within the Army’s system.

Who Needs the DA 31 Form?

Any active-duty Army soldier who plans to take time off needs a DA Form 31. That includes enlisted personnel and officers at every army rank. If you’re stepping away from duty for annual leave, emergency leave, or another authorized absence, you must file this form before you go.

It applies across units and departments. Whether you serve stateside or overseas, the requirement stays the same. The form creates a formal record that shows when you leave, when you expect to return, and who approved the request. It also connects with other forms and internal systems that track leave balances and personnel status.

In short, if you want to pass through the gate on approved time off, you need this document. Command must review and authorize the request before you depart, and you may have to report back through your chain of command once you return.

How Do I Submit DA Form 31?

First, complete the form with accurate dates, leave type, and required personal details. Then submit it through your chain of command, usually starting with your immediate supervisor.

Your supervisor reviews the request and forwards it to the relevant approving authority within the department. Once authorized, the signed form is returned to you and filed according to unit policy.

Some units process it digitally, while others still require a printed file. Either way, do not leave until approval is official.

QuestionAnswer
Form Name DA Form 31
Form Length 1 page
Fillable? Yes
Fillable fields 65
Avg. time to fill out 15 min
Other names DA form 31 fillable, DA31, DA 31, DA 31 fillable

How to Edit DA Form 31 Online for Free

Our PDF editor lets you fill out any document online, right in your browser. You can also get DA Form 31 from your unit’s admin office or download it from the Army Publishing Directorate website. Then, open the document and follow the steps below.

1. Requester Information

Start at the top of the form. Enter your full name, DoD ID number, rank, and the date you’re submitting the request. Add your leave address with a phone number, then list your unit, station, and point of contact. If your unit uses a control number, they’ll assign it.

da form 31 empty spaces to fill out

2. Type of Leave

Move to the type of absence section. Check whether the leave is chargeable, non-chargeable, or a combination. Then select the specific category that applies to you.

Choose carefully. The category affects how your time off is recorded.

3. Leave Dates and Days

Then, fill in the start date, end date, and total days requested in the leave block. You must use the YYYYMMDD format here

4. Leave Balance Details

Fill in your accrued leave balance. If the leave is chargeable, complete the section showing days requested and whether any advance or excess leave applies.

Finishing da form 31 stage 2

Only complete the non-chargeable section if it applies to your request.

5. Signatures and Approval

Sign and date the requester block. Your supervisor then reviews the form, marks approval or disapproval, and signs. Then, the approving authority completes the final authorization section.

6. Departure and Return

The departure authority signs when you leave. If you extend your leave, complete the extension block.

When you return, the return authority signs and dates the final section to close out the DA 31 form.

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