---
title: "This is literally the mother of all leave requests"
date: "2020-05-12"
modified: "2020-05-12"
authors:
  - name: "Jared Keller"
    job_title: "Former Managing Editor"
    link: "https://taskandpurpose.com/authors/jaredkeller.md"
url: "https://taskandpurpose.com/culture/military-leave-request-humor/"
categories:
  - "Culture"
  - "Mandatory Fun"
---

# This is literally the mother of all leave requests

![](<https://taskandpurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/1000w_q95-6.jpg>)

A leave request is surprisingly tricky business. A good leave request must be serious enough to pass muster, but lighthearted enough to provide a laugh for both service member and commander; honest enough to inform, but earnest enough to entertain. If done right, it's a work of art; if poorly executed ... [well, you ain't going nowhere](<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19JoYDAx5BA>).

In the past, we've been impressed but what we *thought* was [the 'manliest' leave request in U.S. military history, a whiskey-drenched, gun-laden celebration of masculinity](<https://taskandpurpose.com/news/soldier-submits-manliest-leave-request-time.md>). But this, [from our friend Doctrine Man](<https://twitter.com/Doctrine_Man/status/1260190675687157760>), takes the cake:

https://twitter.com/Doctrine_Man/status/1260190675687157760

Of course, we're always on the hunt for better examples of a masterful leave request. Do you happen to have one in your possession? Hit me up at [jared@taskandpurpose.com](<mailto:jared@taskandpurpose.com>) and we'll publish yours here.

## Author
Jared Keller is the former managing editor of Task & Purpose. His writing has appeared in Aeon, the Los Angeles Review of Books, the New Republic, Pacific Standard, Smithsonian, and The Washington Post, among other publications.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/jaredbkeller>)  
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[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredbkeller/>)  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/jaredbkelller/>)