Code of Federal Regulations Title 5. Administrative Personnel § 5.630.603 Computation of service abroad

(a) Begins on the date of the employee's arrival at a post of duty outside the United States, or on the date of his entrance on duty when recruited abroad;

(b) Ends on the date of the employee's departure from the post for separation or for assignment in the United States, or on the date of his separation from duty when separated abroad;  and

(c) Includes (1) absence in a nonpay status up to a maximum of 2 workweeks within each 12 months of service abroad, (2) authorized leave with pay, (3) time spent in the Armed Forces of the United States which interrupts service abroad (but only for eligibility, not leave-earning, purposes), and (4) a period of detail.