Troops in the Air Force and Space Force with dependent family members now receive a daily stipend while attending military training when they spend less than a year at the location and then return to their prior duty station. (Robert Barnett/U.S. Air Force)
AUSTIN, Texas — Troops in the Air Force and Space Force with dependent family members now receive a daily stipend while attending military training when they spend less than a year at the location and then return to their prior duty station, the services announced.
“We understand that these short moves, while necessary, can be disruptive to the lives and finances of airmen and guardians with families — particularly in situations where they are slated to return to their original duty station,” said Alex Wagner, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and Reserve affairs. “This new allowance gives our service members and their families additional resources to weather these times away without the added stress of financial uncertainties.”
The change went into effect May 7, and troops will receive retroactive payments if they meet the eligibility criteria for training that they attended on or after Dec. 23, 2022, according to the Department of the Air Force, which includes Space Force.
The fiscal 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, annual legislation that dictates the military’s budget and priorities, includes the policy, which was issued Nov. 1 as part of the Joint Travel Regulation.
The Navy, which includes the Marine Corps, updated its per diem policy in March. Army officials said the service is in the process of officially updating its policy. However, the updated Joint Travel Regulation is available to eligible soldiers without an Army policy.
The updated policy allows service members with dependents to maintain two households, continuing to receive a housing allowance at the rate authorized for families for their prior duty location where their family still lives. The service member also receives per diem in the amount of the housing allowance authorized at the “without dependent” rate for the school or training location.
To receive this benefit, the service member must have orders to return to their prior duty station after they complete school or training and cannot live in no-cost government quarters.
This effort does not replace the Temporary Duty Waiver for Formal Training policy, which allows airmen and guardians to attend courses between 141 and 180 days in a temporary duty status instead of a permanent reassignment status.
