When acting Air Force Secretary Gary A. Ashworth rescinded service-wide “Family Days” last week, he left it to commanders, directors, and supervisors to decide for themselves if they wanted to grant the extra days off. Ashworth’s guidance urged only that, in accordance with USAF regulations, they “re-evaluate their pass structures to best align with warfighter readiness.”
Two Air Force major commands have updated their policies on Family Days, or passes, to preserve some days and cut a few others. Most commands are still reviewing their schedules, promising updates to come.
Family Days are intended to extend holiday weekends for eligible uniformed Airmen, typically by adding a Friday to the three-day weekend. Aircrew, maintainers, and security forces Airmen, among other jobs, are often ineligible due to mission requirements. Federal law prohibits civilian employees from being given extra days off.
The next federal holiday is Memorial Day, making Friday, May 23, the next anticipated Family Day. So far, no commands has rescinded that date. Here’s where each MAJCOM stands on Family Days so far:
Air Force Global Strike Command
Most previously scheduled Family Days remain in place for the rest of the year, with two exceptions, according to a memo leaked on social media and confirmed by Air & Space Forces Magazine. AFGSC canceled two anticipated Family Days: Friday, June 20, following the Thursday, June 19 Juneteenth holiday, and Friday, Oct. 10, which would have preceded the Monday, Oct. 13 Columbus Day holiday.
Air Mobility Command
Air Mobility Command cancelled four Family Days: Friday, April 18, ahead of Easter Sunday; Friday, Aug. 29 ahead of Labor Day on Sept. 1; Friday, Oct. 10 ahead of Columbus Day; and Monday, Nov. 10 ahead of that Tuesday’s Veterans Day.
Air Force Reserve Command
A memo circulating on social media says that AFRC has rescinded all of its Family Days. The command did not immediately respond to a query from Air & Space Forces Magazine.
Space Systems Command
The Space Force’s main acquisition arm has “rescinded command-wide family days for 2025 beyond Independence Day,” a spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine. Instead, the command is “empowering and encouraging its commanders, directors, and supervisors to focus any future pass days/structures on organizational/unit goals that align with warfighter readiness; execute our mission with excellence; or maintain our competitive advantage.”
SSC had previously scheduled Family Days for Friday, Aug. 29 (Labor Day); Friday, Oct. 10 (Columbus Day); Friday, Nov. 10 (Veterans Day); Friday, Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving); and Thursday, Dec. 26 (Christmas).
Air Education and Training Command
Lt. Gen Brian S. Robinson is “reviewing the Major Command level policy in accordance with the guidance and any updates will be forthcoming,” an official told Air & Space Forces Magazine. In the meantime, commanders and supervisors still have the authority to grant passes.
“A unit commander may delegate approval authority of individual Annual Leave requests to no lower than an Airman’s first-line Supervisor in the chain of command. In all Leave and Pass considerations, readiness and the capability to continue the unit’s mission remain a primary consideration,” the official added.
Air Force Special Operations Command
AFSOC is still finalizing its updated Family Days schedule, an official told Air & Space Forces Magazine. Some previously scheduled days are likely to be cancelled.
Air Combat Command
“In accordance with the Secretary’s guidance regarding family days, ACC is reviewing our policy and updates are forthcoming,” an official told Air & Space Forces Magazine. Individual commanders still have the authority to issues passes in the meantime.
Air Force Materiel Command
AFMC is reassessing its policy but has not issued any updates yet. Notably, the command is perhaps the most civilian-heavy in the Air Force, and civilians never could take Family Days.
Pacific Air Forces
“Pacific Air Forces is reviewing its own policy on leave and passes, balancing the resiliency and personal readiness of our Airmen, and their families, with our collective warfighting readiness,” an official told Air & Space Forces Magazine.
U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa
USAFE-AFAFRICA is still reviewing its policy on Family Days, an official said. Personnel are encouraged to use their annual leave “as an important part of maintaining overall well-being, morale, and readiness.”