Separation, Retirement, and Accession Travel

Start Here If You Are New to End-of-Service Travel

End-of-service travel covers three scenarios. SEPARATION travel for Marines leaving Active Duty before retirement (Honorable, ELS, etc.). RETIREMENT travel for Marines completing 20+ years and retiring. ACCESSION travel for new Marines reporting to the first PDS after MEPS or accession. Each scenario has specific allowances, time limits, and Home of Selection (HOS) rules. Separating and retiring Marines elect a HOS from authorized locations. Accession Marines travel from the place of accession to the first duty station (MCRD, OCS, TBS, MOS school, etc.).

This page walks you through end-of-service travel from your seat as a General Marine. By the end you will know.

• Separation travel (HOS from last PDS, time limits)
• Retirement travel (HOS framework with retirement-specific allowances)
• Accession travel (place of accession to first PDS)
• HOS authorized locations
• Time limits for execution
• Travel and HHG entitlements at separation/retirement

Every fact on this page comes from JTR Chapter 5 paragraphs 0530, 0540, 0541, and DoDI 1315.18DoDI 1315.18.

Separation Travel

Per JTR Chapter 5 paragraph 0540, a Marine separating from Active Duty under honorable conditions is authorized travel from the last PDS to the Home of Selection (HOS).

Separation Travel Eligibility

The Marine must.

• Separate under honorable conditions.
• Have an authorized HOS.
• Execute the travel within the time limit.

Home of Selection (HOS)

The HOS is the destination chosen by the Marine for separation travel. Authorized HOS locations include.

• The Marine's home of record.
• Place of acceptance into Active Duty.
• Place where the Marine joined the Active Duty.
• Marines married to a Service Member may select the spouse's PDS or HOS.
• Marines on PCS at the time of separation may select the original PDS or the gaining PDS.
• A location closer to the last PDS than the home of record (limited).

Time Limit for Separation Travel

Per JTR Chapter 5 paragraph 0540, the Marine has a specific time limit (typically 1 year) to execute separation travel after the EAS (End of Active Service). Travel beyond the time limit is at the Marine's expense.

Allowances Authorized for Separation Travel

The separating Marine receives.

• Travel reimbursement (commercial air, MALT mileage for POV, etc.).
• Per diem for travel days.
• Dependent travel for authorized dependents.
• HHG shipment to the HOS (within weight allowance).
• POV shipment if HOS is OCONUS or the Marine is OCONUS at separation.
• DLA at the without-dependent or with-dependent rate (rare for separation, typically for accession or PCS).
• TLE if HOS is CONUS (limited circumstances).

Misconduct Discharges

Marines separated under less than honorable conditions (e.g., Bad Conduct Discharge, dishonorable, or other than honorable) may have limited or no separation travel entitlement.

The Separation Payments page (Pay and Entitlements category) covers the broader separation pay framework.

Retirement Travel

Per JTR Chapter 5 paragraph 0541, a Marine retiring after 20+ years is authorized travel from the last PDS to the Home of Selection.

Retirement Travel Eligibility

The Marine must.

• Complete 20 or more years of active service.
• Retire under honorable conditions.
• Have an authorized HOS.

Retirement HOS

The retirement HOS framework parallels separation HOS but with greater flexibility.

• The retiring Marine's home of record.
• Place of acceptance into Active Duty.
• Anywhere in the United States or its territories.
• Some retired Marines elect to settle at the last PDS or near a Marine Corps installation.

Time Limit for Retirement Travel

The retirement travel time limit is typically 1 year after the date of retirement. Extensions are possible per the JTR for specific circumstances.

Allowances for Retirement Travel

The retiring Marine receives the same allowances as separation travel plus retirement-specific provisions.

• Travel reimbursement.
• Per diem.
• Dependent travel.
• HHG shipment (the retirement weight allowance may be slightly different).
• POV shipment if applicable.
• TLE if applicable.

Retirement and Final Pay

Retirement travel is the last PCS-style move on Active Duty. After arrival at the HOS, the retiring Marine begins receiving retired pay per Volume 7B framework.

Accession Travel

Per JTR Chapter 5 paragraph 0530, an accession Marine travels from the place of acceptance into Active Duty to the first PDS at Government expense.

Accession Eligibility

The accession Marine must.

• Be enlisted or commissioned into the Marine Corps.
• Have orders to the first PDS (typically MCRD for new enlistees, OCS or TBS for new officers).
• Travel within the time limit specified in the orders.

Common Accession Scenarios

• Recruit traveling from MEPS to MCRD San Diego or MCRD Parris Island.
• Officer traveling from civilian acceptance through OCS to TBS to first PDS.
• Direct commission accession to first duty station.

Allowances for Accession Travel

The accession Marine receives.

• Travel reimbursement at Government expense (typically commercial air or government transport).
• Per diem during travel days.
• Initial DLA may be reduced for accessions (per JTR partial-DLA framework).
• HHG shipment (limited for new accessions, weight allowance applies).

Accession Through Recruiter

The recruiter typically arranges initial travel from the home of record to MEPS. The MEPS to first PDS travel is the formal accession travel covered under JTR.

Time Limits and Extensions

Per JTR Chapter 5, time limits for end-of-service travel.

• Separation travel. 1 year after EAS (typical).
• Retirement travel. 1 year after retirement date (typical).
• Accession travel. Per the orders specifying the report date.

Extensions are possible in specific circumstances. The Marine submits the extension request through the chain of command.

Failure to Execute Travel

Failure to execute separation or retirement travel within the time limit means the Marine pays for the move out of pocket. The Government does not reimburse travel beyond the time limit.

Special Scenarios

Separation OCONUS

A Marine separating while OCONUS receives.

• Government-funded travel from the OCONUS PDS to the CONUS HOS.
• POV shipment at Government expense.
• Dependent travel.

Disability Separation

Marines separating due to medical disability receive specific travel allowances coordinated through the Wounded Warrior Regiment and Marine Corps medical channels. The Illness or Injury Pay Continuation page (Pay and Entitlements category) covers the broader disability framework.

Death of a Marine on Active Duty

Travel allowances for the family of a Marine who dies on Active Duty are covered through Marine Corps Casualty Assistance per MCO 3040.4MCO 3040.4. The Death Payments page (Pay and Entitlements category) covers the broader framework.

Verifying Travel Authorization

The Marine reviews the orders for end-of-service or accession travel.

Step 1. Confirm the HOS

For separation or retirement, confirm the HOS is on the authorized list.

Step 2. Verify Time Limits

Confirm the travel can be executed within the time limit.

Step 3. Coordinate with PPSO

The Personal Property Shipping Office (PPSO) coordinates HHG shipment for the move.

Step 4. Submit Travel Voucher

Upon arrival at the HOS or first PDS, submit the travel voucher through DTS for reimbursement.

Common Questions Marines Ask

I am separating after 6 years. Where can I travel to?

Per JTR Chapter 5 paragraph 0540, you select a HOS from authorized locations including your home of record, place of acceptance into Active Duty, or other JTR-authorized locations. Verify with your career planner.

I am retiring with 20 years. Where can I travel to?

Per JTR Chapter 5 paragraph 0541, retirement HOS is more flexible. You may select almost any location in the U.S. or its territories.

How long do I have to execute separation travel?

Typically 1 year after EAS. Extensions are possible. Travel beyond the time limit is at your expense.

I am OCONUS and separating. Will the Government pay to ship my car back to CONUS?

Per JTR Chapter 5, yes. POV shipment at Government expense from the OCONUS PDS to the CONUS HOS. Coordinate through the DTMO POV Shipment Locator.

I am a new recruit. How does my travel from MEPS to MCRD work?

Per JTR Chapter 5 paragraph 0530, the recruiter arranges your initial travel. The accession travel from MEPS to MCRD is at Government expense. You receive per diem during travel days and HHG-related allowances.

What if I am separating with a Bad Conduct Discharge?

Marines separating under less than honorable conditions may have limited or no separation travel entitlement. Coordinate with your S-1 and the unit Staff Judge Advocate.

Where to Go for Help

Routing by Issue

• Separation or retirement travel coordination. Through your career planner and unit S-1.
• HOS selection and verification. Coordinate with your S-1 against the JTR-authorized HOS list.
• Travel voucher submission. Through DTS at the HOS.
• HHG shipment coordination. Through the Personal Property Shipping Office (PPSO).
• POV shipment at separation. Through the DTMO POV Shipment Locator.
• DFAS Marine Corps Pay direct contact. Phone 1-888-332-7411 (DSN 312-571-9450 from overseas).

Where to Go Next on This Site

• PCS landing page lists all the PCS topics.
• PCS Orders and Overview covers the foundational PCS framework.
• Household Goods and PPM covers HHG shipment.
• POV Shipment and Mileage covers POV transportation.
• Separation Payments (Pay and Entitlements) covers the broader separation pay framework.
• Terminal Leave (Leave and Liberty) covers the end-of-service leave framework.

Related Roles

• Leaders coach Marines on the HOS election and the 1-year time limit.
• Admin at S-1 processes separation, retirement, and accession travel orders.
• Commanders endorse retirement orders and HOS selections.

End-of-service travel covers separation, retirement, and accession scenarios. HOS framework controls the destination. Time limit (typically 1 year) controls execution. JTR Chapter 5 paragraphs 0530, 0540, 0541 govern. Coordinate with the career planner, S-1, and PPSO for the move.