R&R, military slang for rest and recuperation (or rest and relaxation or rest and recreation or rest and rehabilitation), is an abbreviation used for the free time of a soldier or international UN staff serving in unaccompanied (no family) duty stations.
There are plenty of on-base entertainment resources available to service members and their families: gyms, movie theaters, bowling alleys, parks and more. In addition to facilities, the Military also works with Armed Forces Entertainment to bring exclusive entertainment shows.
But like most jobs, if in the States and not deployed, military active duty get weekends and holidays off like everyone else in the job force. Deployments for active duty to foreign countries or even war zones occur regularly for the active duty member.
How much vacation and leisure time do service members receive? Active-duty service members receive 30 paid vacation days each year as an employment benefit. On top of this, the Military provides a wide range of recreational activities for service members and their families to enjoy on a daily basis.
Base pay for a new enlistee comes out to $20,340 per year, but they'll earn more as they gain experience and rank. Most service members also receive allowances for housing, food, uniforms, and job-specific bonuses, many of which are not taxed.
Annual Leave: Active duty Soldiers earn 2.5 days of annual (chargeable) leave for each month of service, for a total of 30 days per year. Currently, Soldiers can bank up to 60 days of leave at the end of the fiscal year.
Enlisted personnel typically do the following: Participate in, or support, military operations, such as combat or training operations, or humanitarian or disaster relief. Operate, maintain, and repair equipment. Perform technical and support activities.
Military members are paid twice each month -- on the 1st and 15th of each month. You get one-half of your monthly pay on the 1st and the second half on the 15th.
There is no way to simply quit the military once you are on active duty. You are contractually, and perhaps morally, obligated to see your commitment through. However, you could be discharged from duty early if you are physically or psychologically unable to perform your duties.
For starters, an unmarried couple cannot live on a base outside of certain extenuating circumstances that would have the non-service member defined as a caregiver for the service member's children. As a result, unmarried military couples typically live off-base.
As a result, getting proper sleep is a luxury that many service members may not always have. "On average, military personnel sleep approximately six hours" a day, said Dr.
There is no requirement for family or friends to pay for the service member's leave and there are no processing/administrative fees involved with requesting leave.
Getting That Morning Wake-Up Call
In military basic training, there's no such thing as sleeping in. You'll get up at 5 a.m. every single day. Waking up in the morning is an adjustment process that's the same for every single basic training class.
Do not expect or offer public displays of affection whenever a service member is in uniform. However, brief kisses and hugs are acceptable during deployments and homecomings. Eating, drinking, using a cellphone and smoking while walking is generally banned in uniform.
Joining the U.S. military can provide people with incredible opportunities, whether they make it a 20-year career or serve just a minimum amount of time. Each branch of the Armed Forces offers specialized training, medical and education benefits, housing, and many other privileges for its active members.
Your retirement benefit is determined by your years of service. It's calculated at 2.5% times your highest 36 months of basic pay.
Military Leave: What It Is and How It Works. As part of the military pay and benefits package, military service members earn 30 days of paid leave per year. You start at zero and for every month of military service, 2.5 days of leave get added to your leave account.
It's a tough process, but a rewarding one that many service members value for life. To succeed in boot camp, you should prepare yourself physically and mentally. Daily cardio, weight training, pushups and situps are a must. You should also practice arriving early on a regular basis and sticking to a strict schedule.
Everyone in your barracks will enter the shower room assigned to your barracks when commanded. The shower area is one large tiled room with multiple shower heads along the walls. Your instructor will give you a time limit for your shower and tell you when you may take your shower during the day or night.
Military life results in uncertainty and breaks in routine, which can cause family members to experience high anxiety, depression, PTSD and long-term mental health and wellness injuries. Many spouses feel it will hurt their military partner's chances of promotion if they would seek help for stress or depression.
Each day's rations usually include one hot meal. A daily hot meal may not be available at all times, but three meals a day are provided.
About once every week to ten days, Soldiers would go to the rear for their shower. Upon entering the shower area they turned in their dirty clothing. After showering they received new cloths. They had their choice for size: small, medium, or large.
2-7. Under ideal conditions Soldiers should shower daily, or at least once every week to maintain good personal hygiene. Frequent showering prevents skin infections and helps to prevent potential parasite infestations. When showers are not available, washing daily with a washcloth and soap and water is advised.
The average military deployment is typically between six and 12 months long. However, deployment lengths vary greatly from branch to branch, are situational and depend on several factors specific to each individual service member.