Recently announced Navy liberty policy revisions provide commanding officers with greater clarification and authority to manage their people and meet mission requirements. The revised policy expands descriptions of when special liberty may be appropriate, including for compassionate reasons. Those examples include granting special liberty after extended deployments or time away from homeport, to reward exceptional performance, allow for Sailors to attend a funeral of a family member or assist one dealing with serious illness or injury, or any special occasion or circumstance determined by the commanding officer. Leaders will also be able to establish their own "out of bounds" for liberty and special liberty. Special liberty may still not exceed four days, or be combined with normal liberty or special holidays to allow for an absence exceeding four days. Sailors combining regular leave with special liberty still must start and finish leave at their home station or port.
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