When are recruits eligible to use annual or sick leave?

Recruits become eligible to use annual or sick leave after they have completed 13 pay periods in pay status. This policy is designed to ensure that individuals accumulate enough time in service to justify taking leave. It reinforces a sense of commitment and responsibility, as recruits must first demonstrate their dedication to the program over an extended period before utilizing paid leave benefits. The approach helps maintain operational readiness and ensures that necessary training and performance standards are met before recruits can take time off.

The other options do not align with the established policy: immediate eligibility upon entry could lead to disruptions in training, completing an initial training period may not necessarily refer to a defined time, and leaving this decision to the instructor's discretion could create inconsistencies in how leave is granted across the program.