October 17, 2014

Effective November 1, servicemembers traveling on long-term temporary duty will receive a flat rate per diem and depending on the duration, could mean lower reimbursement for military travel costs.   

In an effort to drive troops to seek more cost savings, lodging for longer-term travel that exceeds 30 days, the Pentagon has modified the Joint Travel Regulation as follows:  

• On the travel day, service members will receive up to 100% lodging per diem of the locality rate and 75% meals and incidental expenses (M&IE).
• For long-term temporary duty lasting 31 -180 days, the authorized flat rate is 75% of the locality rate (lodging plus M&IE) payable for each full day of temporary duty at that location.
• For long-term temporary duty of 181 days (normally not authorized) or greater (in a single location), the authorized flat rate is 55% (lodging plus M&IE) of the locality rate.   

The new flat rate per diem does not apply when government lodging or contracted government lodging is available and directed. Servicemembers will be reimbursed for actual lodging costs when staying in government lodging.  

Fortunately in situations where a servicemember cannot find affordable long-term housing, they can provide justification to the TDY approving official for a higher temporary duty lodging stipend.