Rest and recuperation leave

In this section— the term “employee” means an officer or an individual who is— appointed in the civil service, the Foreign Service, or any appointment authority other than the uniformed services (as that term is defined in section 101 of title 37), by one of the following acting in an official capacity: The Secretary or other head of an agency may prescribe regulations to grant up to 20 days of paid leave, per leave year, for the purposes of rest and recuperation to an employee of the agency serving in a combat zone, any other high risk, high threat post, or any other location presenting significant security or operational challenges. Use of the authority under subsection (b) is at the sole and exclusive discretion of the head of the agency concerned. An agency shall record leave provided under this section separately from leave authorized under any other provision of law.