If I'm not mistaken, this is correct.

If you put in your MLOA prior to the month starting, they prorate your month accordingly (and give you fewer X days and less guarantee). So, if you move your X day to a MLOA day, you are actually volunteering to be on duty more days for the same (lesser) pay.

If, on the other hand, you are awarded your schedule first, then put in your mil leave, you have a full reserve guarantee from which to move X days. So, when you move your X days to a day you plan to take mil leave, you are just saying "I want to work a full schedule for Delta and work for the mil on my day off." Then when you drop mil leave on top of your X day, they will make it a mil X day and it will basically be the same as a golden X day because they cannot hold you over into a mil leave X day.

So, you have to decide when you bid reserve whether you want to be paid a full month at Delta or if you want to work a pro-rated month. If you want full pay, bid first then drop mil on X days. Otherwise, you will get less work days and a lower guarantee.

Somebody please correct me if I am wrong.