Recommended convalescent leave must be approved by which person?

• A. Attending physician's supervisor
• B. Patient's unit commander
• C. MDG/CC
• D. Medical squadron section commander

Answer: (B)

Convalescent leave is medical time off to recover, but the final approval rests with the service member’s immediate command. The attending medical team can assess and recommend the need and length of leave, ensuring the member won’t risk further health issues or mission safety. Still, the authority to grant that leave lies with the patient’s unit commander, who has the responsibility for staffing, mission readiness, and accountability within the unit. Higher-level medical leadership, or a supervisor of the prescribing physician or a medical squadron supervisor, may be involved in the process, but they do not have the final approving authority for individual convalescent leave.