taking leave

Derek has been trying to take a two week vacation for when he gets back from Virginia, but for some reason he keeps getting denied. He put in his leave papers back in January, but was turned down, for no real explanation, and then a week later he was sent an email telling him that he should turn in his leave papers, but it would have to be in the time frame of when he was in Virginia!! Which of course was really annoying. So last month he was told he could try for leave again, now that he was taken off the Iraq roster. I took his papers down to the office, and handed it to the guy that is supposed to do all the paperwork, well it turns out he never gave it to the commanding officer to sign!! So I had to go down a couple days ago and deliver it personally to the person that was supposed to sign it. We were figuring it would be all settled and Derek could start his vacation on Monday. Derek was emailed yesterday that he had to take a "suicide prevention" class before they would allow leave, in fact were pulling some guys off their leave to take this class!! As if a few hours in a room full of other soldiers, would really prevent someone from committing suicide, and the fact that they are missing time with their loved ones to take the silly class, I think would only agitate them more!! So as it stands right now, maybe leave. Nice huh? We cant make any plans or anything because we have no clue if Derek will be off or not. You got to love government beuracracy at work.