It depends on the situation. Junior enlisted get paid so little that $1000 cash for a one day delay could indeed be a big score. OTOH, they have limited ability to go back and see the family so the extra day lost could really bite. Even as an officer, I would have screamed in rage at losing a day when I was flying back home for my dad's last Christmas. In addition, did he actually get cash or an ETC? I've never received cash for a VDB but maybe the rules are different for IDBs. When you're charged for every day of leave and have limited opportunities to see the family, losing a day can be much worse than getting a $1000 -- especially if it's an ETC and you have limited opportunities to use ETCs. I've had ETCs expire on me before because I just didn't have any opportunity to use them. Even if it was cash, the day of leave with the family might be more important to him.