What type of leave is used for personal or family emergencies when advance leave cannot be requested?

Excess leave is the correct type of leave used for personal or family emergencies when advance leave cannot be requested. It refers to a specific category of leave that allows an Airman to be absent from duty without pay primarily due to emergencies or exigent circumstances.

Excess leave is particularly useful as it offers some flexibility in not being restricted by the typical limitations associated with annual or personal leave. This type of leave may be granted when an Airman has exhausted their available leave balances and cannot take annual leave in advance. Hence, when unexpected situations arise, such as a serious family emergency, excess leave provides the necessary time off without immediately impacting the Airman's employment status.

Annual leave is generally earned and scheduled, often intended for planned vacations or time off. Medical leave is more associated with health-related issues and typically requires documentation from a medical professional. Personal leave, while applicable in certain contexts, doesn’t carry the specific allowances that excess leave does for those urgent and unexpected situations. Therefore, choosing excess leave in cases of immediate personal or family emergencies is appropriate and aligned with Air Force regulations.