MARADMIN 574/24 - Transport or Shipment Reimbursement of Human Breast Milk Expenses During a Permanent Change of Station

Scope

MARADMIN 574/24 publishes the implementation details for transport or shipment reimbursement of human breast milk expenses during a Permanent Change of Station (PCS). Eligible Service Members receive up to $1,000 reimbursement per PCS. The message implements Section 626 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 and is effective immediately upon publication on 2024-11-26. Applicability is the Marine Corps Total Force.

Audience

• Active duty Service Members who have given birth within the prior 12 months and are executing PCS. Eligible.
• S-1 staff and Defense Travel Administrators. Endorse PCS orders and process vouchers.
• Disbursing officers. Pay reimbursement claims.
• Commanders. Brief the entitlement during PCS counseling.

Reimbursement rules

• The cap is $1,000 per PCS. The cap covers total shipment-related expenses, not a per-shipment amount.
• MARADMIN 603/24 amended the eligible expense list on 2024-12-17. Expenses are now commercial shipping fees, excess baggage fees, and dry ice or regular ice. Packaging and packing material are not authorized. The original list of storage bags, cold shipping packages, and refrigeration no longer applies.
• The reimbursement covers shipping expressed human breast milk from the Marine's PCS travel location to a designated recipient, typically the dependent infant at a separate location during the move.
• The reimbursement does not extend to unaccompanied tours. Unaccompanied OCONUS tours and dependent-restricted assignments fall outside the framework.
• Authorization flows through the PCS orders endorsement via the MOL Outbound Interview Module. The Marine secures the endorsement before reimbursement processing.
• The Marine submits the voucher through DTS within 5 working days of the completed shipment. The window starts the day the shipment is delivered.
• JTR Chapter 2, Table 2-24, Item 20 carries the entitlement.

Connection to higher policy

• Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328) Section 626. Statutory authority.
• Joint Travel Regulations, Chapter 2, Table 2-24, Item 20.
• Title 37 U.S.C. Pay and allowances framework.

Connection to Marine Corps doctrine

• MARADMIN 573/24. Taking Care of People (TCOP) Program Initiatives Overview. Companion overview summarizing this reimbursement among seven CY24 initiatives.
• MARADMIN 537/24. Travel Reimbursement for a Designated Person to Provide Childcare During PCS Moves. Companion family support pilot.

Status

Released 2024-11-26. Originator CMC Washington DC MRA MP. Effective immediately upon publication. Applicability is the Marine Corps Total Force. Active as amended by MARADMIN 603/24.