Faixa Azul

I'd wait until you're out of IOE unless you have a break in training that coincides with a drill weekend or something. Once you're out of IOE, you're cleared to drop trips for mil leave. However, you also have to realize you're on probation. Just be prudent.

As far as limits, there is a 5 year USERRA limit. However, there are several exceptions. For example, a two year ADOS tour in support of ONE would be exempt. A 365 day MPA tour on Title 10 in support of ONE is exempt. A deployment to OEF/OIF is exempt. Heck, some NGB guys will tell you ANY Title 10 service is exempt. Pretty much the only long term mil leave that isn't exempt is T32 AGR.

As far as I can tell, short term mil leave is not tracked in a cumulative basis. No one will come to you in twelve years and say you've racked up 5 years of total mil leave, no more for you.

Different airlines have different requirements for validating your mil leave, but I just have one word of advice (and it's a request, really). When you take mil leave, be legit. Be on orders or fly at the unit. Don't use it as vacation time. Don't say you're on mil leave when you're at the beach. When one person gets caught abusing the system, it makes it tougher for every ARC member at the airline.