---
kind: "section"
citation: "10 U.S.C. § 705a"
title: "10"
title_heading: "Armed Forces"
number: "705a"
heading: "Rest and recuperation absence: certain members undergoing extended deployment to a combat zone"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/10/705a"
units:
  - "Subtitle A — General Military Law"
  - "Part II — Personnel"
  - "Chapter 40 — Leave"
---

# §705a. Rest and recuperation absence: certain members undergoing extended deployment to a combat zone

- (a) **Rest and Recuperation Authorized.—** Under regulations prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense, the [Secretary concerned](/usc/10/2801.md?p=c-5) may provide a member of the [armed forces](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-4) described in [subsection (b)](#b) the benefits described in [subsection (c)](#c).
- (b) **Covered Members.—** A member of the [armed forces](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-4) described in this subsection is any member who—
  - (1) is assigned or deployed for at least 270 days in an area or location—
    - (A) that is designated by the President as a combat zone; and
    - (B) in which hardship duty [pay](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-15) is authorized to be paid under section [305](/usc/37/305.md) or [352(a)](/usc/37/352.md?p=a) of title 37; and
  - (2) meets such other criteria as the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense may prescribe in the regulations required by [subsection (a)](#a).
- (c) **Benefits.—** The benefits described in this subsection are the following:
  - (1) A period of rest and recuperation absence for not more than 15 days.
  - (2) Round-trip transportation at Government expense from the area or location in which the member is serving in connection with the exercise of the period of rest and recuperation.
- (d) **Construction With Other Leave.—** Any benefits provided a member under this section are in addition to any other leave or absence to which the member may be entitled.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title V, § 532(a), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4216; amended Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VI, § 618(e), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1426.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2017—Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 115–91 inserted “or 352(a)” after “section 305”.