DoDI 1327.06, June 16, 2009
Change 5, 08/25/2023 ENCLOSURE 2
3. Excessive physical hardship (e.g., deleterious effects of climate and altitude
and dangerous conditions affecting life, physical well-being, or mental health).
(b) EML Program. The purpose of this program is to make use of DoD-owned or
controlled military airlift to further annual leave objectives. The Combatant Commanders shall
designate the authorized EML duty locations and destinations. Normally, the necessary adverse
environmental conditions for the EML program are present at those overseas locations where the
accompanied-by-dependents tour length is 24 months or less. Prescribed overseas tour lengths
are contained in Reference (k). Permanently assigned Service members, regardless of their
accompanied status, and/or their dependents may be provided space available (Space-A) air
transportation from EML duty locations to take accrued leave at an EML destination site. The
Service member’s dependents must be command sponsored to participate. In addition,
participants may take no more than two EML trips per year. Except those Service members
assigned to dependent-restricted areas, EML trips may not be taken within 6 months of the
beginning or end of the Service member’s tour of duty at the eligible location. The Combatant
Commanders are authorized, on a case-by-case basis, to waive the 6-month rule, when
appropriate. For Service members assigned to dependent-restricted areas, the Military Service
concerned may establish, for operational necessity, the time frames in which an eligible Service
member may take EML.
(c) FEML Programs. FEML provides Government-funded transportation from the
FEML duty location to the designated FEML destination. The Deputy Under Secretary of
Defense for Military Personnel Policy (DASD(MPP)) shall designate the authorized FEML duty
locations, which shall be limited to those locations that are truly isolated, austere or unhealthful,
and designated FEML destinations. Normally, FEML applies to Service members assigned to a
prescribed tour outside the United States who incur a tour length of at least 24 consecutive
months, to include voluntary extensions. A member assigned to a 24-month tour is eligible for
one round trip under FEML. A member assigned to a 36-month tour is eligible for two round
trips. No more than two FEML trips are authorized for any overseas tour including extensions to
that tour. In addition, the Service member’s dependents, in order to participate, must be
command sponsored. FEML travel may not be taken within 6 months of the beginning or end of
the Service member’s tour of duty. The Combatant Commanders are authorized, on a case-by-
case basis, to waive the 6-month rule, when appropriate.
1. Authorized FEML duty locations and destinations shall be recertified every
2 years by the DASD(MPP). Initial designations and re-certifications shall be made based upon
Combatant Commanders’ recommendations.
2. Such recommendations shall be justified fully and incorporate a FEML data
sheet (Enclosure 3), completed by the commander recommending the designation, as well as
comments from other DoD Components, including the Military Departments, and the proposed
FEML relief destination.
(d) EML and FEML Relief Destinations. Normal military airlift (EML) and
commercial air (FEML) routes shall be considered in determining relief destinations, and they
shall be limited to the closest location offering environmental relief, suitable accommodations,