Same sort of attitude I encountered. The scribblies were probably right when they said that it was designed for people on a week-long course or something, not for people who were ostensibly posted but technically parented by another unit.
I put in a claim for a UK-based hold which went through fine, but the allowances girl said the NFTC ones might be trickier as LOA is meant to cover you for the inconvenience of living abroad, in the same way IE is meant to cover you for the inconvenience of being away for a few days.
Either way, good luck!
