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Wednesday, 26 November 2025

Air Force Leave And Earning Statement: Your Essential Guide to Military Pay

Welcome, Airman! If you've just joined the service or you're struggling to make sense of your monthly paycheck, you're not alone. Understanding your finances is absolutely crucial for your career and peace of mind. The single most important document you receive each month detailing your earnings and leave status is the Air Force Leave And Earning Statement (LES).

The LES might look like a complicated spreadsheet designed by an accountant with too much caffeine, but it is actually a comprehensive report of everything related to your pay and deductions. This guide is designed to break down that intimidating document into plain English, ensuring you know exactly where your money is going and how much leave you actually have available.

Let's dive into how to read, understand, and master your Air Force Leave And Earning Statement.

What Exactly is the Air Force Leave And Earning Statement (LES)?

The LES is the standard monthly statement provided to all members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Think of it as your military pay stub, but significantly more detailed. It summarizes your pay, allowances, deductions, tax withholdings, allotments, and, critically, your current leave balance.

You receive a new statement around the 15th to 18th of every month, covering the entire previous month's activity. Keeping track of this document is vital. It's your official record for tax purposes, checking for pay errors, and planning your vacation time.

Where Do I Find My LES?

Accessing your Air Force Leave And Earning Statement is simple and handled completely online. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) manages all military pay records.

Your LES is accessible through the DFAS myPay system. This online portal allows you to view, print, and save your statements dating back several years. If you haven't set up your myPay account yet, stop reading and do that immediately. This system is also where you manage allotments and update tax information.

Deciphering the LES: Key Sections Explained

The LES is typically divided into three major sections: Pay (Entitlements), Deductions/Allotments, and Leave Information. We'll focus on the finance side first. Look at the box labeled 'Entitlements'—this is everything the Air Force pays you before anything is taken out.

Understanding the difference between taxable entitlements and non-taxable allowances is key to calculating your true financial standing. Don't panic if the numbers don't instantly make sense; we will break them down piece by piece.

The Entitlements and Pay Section

This section is usually displayed on the left side of the Air Force Leave And Earning Statement. It lists your gross pay, which is the total amount you earned before taxes and deductions. Basic pay is determined by your rank and years of service, but allowances fluctuate based on your location and family status.

For example, if you live off-base, you receive Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). If you don't eat at the dining facility, you receive Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS). These allowances are generally non-taxable, a significant benefit to military members.

Understanding Special Pays and Allowances

Beyond the basics, many Airmen receive additional compensation due to the specific nature of their jobs or where they are stationed. These special pays are crucial parts of your overall income and should be reflected accurately on your LES.

Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay (HDIP): Paid for performing inherently dangerous duties, such as jumping or flying.
Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA): The equivalent of BAH, but for members stationed outside the continental U.S.
Hostile Fire Pay/Imminent Danger Pay (HFP/IDP): Paid when serving in designated hostile environments.
Assignment Incentive Pay (AIP): Used to encourage service members to volunteer for specific difficult assignments.

Deductions, Allotments, and Taxes

This section details everything subtracted from your gross pay, resulting in your net pay (the amount deposited into your bank account). Deductions are mandatory costs, such as taxes and insurance premiums. Allotments, however, are voluntary sums you direct from your pay.

It is important to review your allotments regularly. Sometimes you might forget to cancel an allotment for an old car payment or insurance policy, resulting in lost income. Be diligent and check these figures every single month.

Common Deductions and Allotments include:

Federal Income Tax Withholding (FITW)
State Income Tax Withholding (SITW)
Social Security and Medicare (FICA)
Serviceman's Group Life Insurance (SGLI)
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) contributions
Voluntary allotments (e.g., car payments, rent)

Mastering Your Leave Balance (The Important Part!)

The 'Leave' section is perhaps the most important non-financial part of the Air Force Leave And Earning Statement. Every active duty member earns 2.5 days of leave per month, totaling 30 days per year. The LES tracks exactly how much of that leave you have earned, used, and how much you will lose if you don't take time off.

Using your leave is essential for maintaining work-life balance and preventing burnout. Always check this section before submitting any official leave request to your supervisor.

Reading the Leave Summary

The leave section uses specific acronyms to detail your current status. Understanding these three letter codes is crucial for accurate leave planning. Errors in this section can mean you inadvertently lose valuable accrued time.

Here are the key fields you need to monitor:

Brought Forward (BF): The number of days carried over from the previous fiscal year (October 1st).
Earned This Period (ETP): Always 2.5 days.
Used This Period (UTP): The number of leave days you took this specific month.
Year-to-Date Used (YTD USE): Total days taken since the start of the fiscal year.
Ending Monthly Leave (EML): Your current total balance available for use as of the end of the LES month.

Selling or Losing Leave: Use It or Lose It

While you earn 30 days of leave annually, standard policy dictates that you can only carry over a maximum of 60 days of regular leave into the next fiscal year. This 60-day limit is non-negotiable under normal circumstances.

The LES will show your Use/Lose balance. If you have more than 60 days, the excess is what you must use before September 30th, or it will be forfeited. The only exception is when you have "Special Leave Accrual" (SLA), often granted after long deployments, which allows you to carry more than 60 days for a limited time.

Common LES Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Pay errors happen. They can be due to administrative delays, incorrect input of allowances, or mistakes in processing deployment pay. The most common issues relate to changes in BAH status (e.g., getting married or moving off base) and failure to receive special duty pay on time.

If you spot an error—whether it's too much or too little money, or an incorrect leave balance—do not wait. Ignoring an overpayment means you will owe the government that money later, sometimes causing significant financial strain when they recoup the funds quickly.

The first step in resolving any discrepancy on your Air Force Leave And Earning Statement is to contact your local Finance office, also known as the Comptroller Squadron (CPTS). They are the experts trained to interpret the codes and correct your pay record swiftly.

Always bring a copy of the disputed LES and any supporting documentation, like orders or housing agreements, when you visit them.

Conclusion

The Air Force Leave And Earning Statement is far more than just a receipt for your paycheck; it is a vital tool for financial management and career planning. By diligently reviewing your entitlements, monitoring your deductions, and ensuring your leave balance is correct every month, you take control of your military benefits.

Don't let the complex format intimidate you. Use this guide as your reference, and remember that your Finance office is always there to help interpret the fine print. Master your LES, and you master your military finances.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the Air Force Leave And Earning Statement

What does 'MID-MONTH' mean on my LES?: The mid-month pay is typically 50% of your basic pay and is paid on the 1st of the month. The remainder of your pay, including allowances and adjusted for all deductions, is paid at the end of the month (around the 15th).
How often should I review my Air Force Leave And Earning Statement?: You should review your LES every single month, immediately upon its release on myPay. This proactive check ensures that any pay or leave errors are caught and corrected quickly, preventing long-term financial headaches.
Can I change my tax withholdings on the LES?: Yes. While the LES itself is just a statement, you can change your Federal and State tax withholdings (W-4 information) directly through the DFAS myPay system. Changes usually take effect on the next pay cycle.
What does 'Combat Zone Tax Exclusion' (CZTE) look like on the LES?: When you are authorized CZTE, the amount of pay earned in that combat zone during the pay period will be listed under entitlements, and it will show a corresponding deduction entry indicating that those funds were excluded from taxable income (FITW, SITW).

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