Your assumption that my friend was a pilot was incorrect. I left out the fact that he was a support guy due to the inevitable spears that would be thrown.
You don't know me. Since I was both enlisted and officer support prior to becoming a pilot I have a deep understanding and respect for those functions and the people performing them. I also understand the weaknesses inherent in that culture. Leave is an entitlement authorized by congress. It should be used to keep the military member's personal and professional life in balance. How you use it should be determined by you and your boss within the rules congress and your service have set. If your boss doesn't like your plan, he can always say no, but that's between you and him.