TDY Per Diem

Start Here If You Are New to TDY Per Diem

TDY per diem covers your lodging and meals at the TDY location. The rate has two parts. Lodging (paid up to the locality lodging cap with receipts) plus M&IE (Meals and Incidental Expenses, paid as a fixed daily amount without itemized receipts). Standard 100 percent rate for the first 30 days. Reduced 75 percent rate for long-term TDY over 30 days at one location. Flat-rate per diem (55 percent of locality rate) for TDY over 180 days. Government-furnished meals trigger the proportional meal rate (deductions). Per JTR Chapter 2.

This page walks you through TDY per diem from your seat as a General Marine. By the end you will know.

• The lodging-plus-M&IE per diem framework
• 100 percent rate for first 30 days
• Reduced 75 percent rate for over 30 days at same location
• Flat-rate per diem (55 percent) for over 180 days
• Proportional meal rate with government meals
• DTMO Per Diem Rate Lookup
• First and last day of travel (75 percent of M&IE)

Every fact on this page comes from JTR Chapter 2, JTR Chapter 4, the DTMO Per Diem Rate Lookup, and GSA Per Diem Rates.

Per Diem Components

Per JTR Chapter 2, per diem has two parts.

Lodging

The Marine receives reimbursement for actual lodging cost up to the locality lodging cap. Lodging requires receipts.

Meals and Incidental Expenses (M&IE)

The Marine receives a fixed daily amount covering meals and incidental expenses. M&IE does NOT require receipts (similar to how the IRS treats per diem for federal travelers).

Locality Rates

Per diem rates vary by locality. The DTMO Per Diem Rate Lookup at https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Per-Diem/Per-Diem-Rate-Lookup/ provides the current rates.

Standard Per Diem Rate (First 30 Days)

Per JTR Chapter 4, the Marine receives 100 percent of the locality per diem rate for the first 30 days at one TDY location.

Calculation

• Lodging. Actual cost up to the locality lodging cap.
• M&IE. The locality M&IE rate (typically $59 to $79 per day for CONUS, varies by locality).

First and Last Day of Travel

Per JTR Chapter 2, the first and last days of TDY travel (the days the Marine is in transit) receive 75 percent of the M&IE rate. The Marine is partly in transit and partly at the TDY location, so the M&IE is reduced.

Lodging on the day of arrival is reimbursed at the actual cost up to the locality cap.

Reduced Per Diem (Over 30 Days)

Per JTR Chapter 4 paragraph 040501, for TDY at the same location for more than 30 days, the per diem rate may be reduced.

When Reduced Per Diem Applies

Reduced per diem applies for TDY at one location lasting more than 30 days, particularly when.

• Long-term lodging arrangements are economical (extended-stay hotels).
• Marine has reduced incidental expenses due to long-term presence.

Reduced Rate

Reduced per diem may be 75 percent of the standard rate. The exact reduction depends on the AO determination and the JTR framework.

Authorization Required

Reduced per diem requires AO authorization in the orders. The Marine receives the standard rate unless reduced per diem is specifically authorized.

Flat-Rate Per Diem (Over 180 Days)

Per JTR Chapter 4, for TDY over 180 days at one location, FLAT-RATE per diem applies.

Flat-Rate Calculation

Flat-rate per diem is 55 percent of the locality per diem rate (lodging cap + M&IE). The Marine receives a single fixed daily amount.

Why Flat-Rate

Long-term TDY (over 180 days) typically involves apartment-style lodging at significantly reduced cost. Flat-rate per diem matches the actual cost more closely while providing predictable reimbursement.

Example

CONUS TDY at a $200 per diem locality (lodging $130 + M&IE $70).

• Standard rate. $200/day.
• Flat-rate (55 percent). $110/day.

The Long-Term TDY page covers the framework in detail.

Proportional Meal Rate (Government Meals Provided)

Per JTR Chapter 2, when the Marine has government-furnished meals available (e.g., government dining facility, contracted dining, hosted meals), the M&IE rate is reduced.

Three Meal Types

• Breakfast.
• Lunch.
• Dinner.

Proportional Reduction

When government meals are provided, the M&IE is reduced by the proportional amount for that meal.

• Breakfast deduction. Approximately 25 percent of the M&IE rate.
• Lunch deduction. Approximately 30 percent of the M&IE rate.
• Dinner deduction. Approximately 45 percent of the M&IE rate.

The exact proportional rates are in the JTR.

Authorization Required

The orders authorize government-furnished meals. The Marine cannot self-impose meal deductions. The AO determines based on actual availability.

Incidental Expenses

The "I" in M&IE covers incidental expenses including.

• Tips for porters, hotel staff, baggage handlers.
• Transportation to and from meals.
• Personal incidentals (laundry on long TDY).
• Phone calls (within reason).

The M&IE rate is fixed. The Marine does not need receipts for incidentals.

DTMO Per Diem Rate Lookup

The DTMO Per Diem Rate Lookup at https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Per-Diem/Per-Diem-Rate-Lookup/ provides the current rates by.

• City and state (CONUS).
• Country and city (OCONUS).
• Effective date.

The rate sheet shows the lodging cap and M&IE rate for the locality.

DTS Voucher Submission

The Marine submits the per diem claim through the Defense Travel System (DTS) on DD Form 1351-2DD Form 1351-2 (Travel Voucher) within 5 business days of return per DoDI 5154.31DoDI 5154.31 Volume 5.

Required Documentation

• Lodging receipts (for each night).
• TDY orders and itinerary.
• Government meal availability documentation (if proportional rate applies).

The Travel Vouchers and Reimbursement page covers the voucher process.

Common Questions Marines Ask

How do I find the per diem rate for my TDY location?

The DTMO Per Diem Rate Lookup at https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Per-Diem/Per-Diem-Rate-Lookup/. Search by city and state for CONUS or country and city for OCONUS.

What is M&IE?

Meals and Incidental Expenses. A fixed daily amount covering meals, tips, transportation to/from meals, and incidentals. No receipts required for M&IE.

Why is my first/last day at 75 percent of M&IE?

Per JTR Chapter 2, the first and last days of TDY travel are partly in transit. The 75 percent rate reflects the partial day at the TDY location. Lodging on the arrival day is still actual cost up to the cap.

What happens if my TDY is over 30 days?

Per JTR Chapter 4 paragraph 040501, reduced per diem (typically 75 percent of standard) may apply for long-term TDY over 30 days at the same location. Verify with the AO.

What is flat-rate per diem?

For TDY over 180 days at one location, flat-rate per diem is 55 percent of the locality per diem rate. Reflects the lower cost of long-term lodging arrangements.

Will my M&IE go down if my unit provides meals?

Yes. The proportional meal rate deducts breakfast (25 percent), lunch (30 percent), and dinner (45 percent) from the M&IE when government meals are available. Authorized through the AO.

Do I need receipts for M&IE?

No. M&IE is paid at the locality rate without receipts. Lodging requires receipts.

Where to Go for Help

Routing by Issue

• Per diem rate verification. The DTMO Per Diem Rate Lookup at https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Per-Diem/Per-Diem-Rate-Lookup/.
• Long-term TDY reduced per diem authorization. Through the AO.
• Government meal availability documentation. Coordinate with the gaining unit.
• Travel voucher submission. Through DTS within 5 business days of return.
• DFAS Marine Corps Pay direct contact. Phone 1-888-332-7411 (DSN 312-571-9450 from overseas).

Where to Go Next on This Site

• TDY/TAD landing page lists all the TDY topics.
• TDY/TAD Overview covers the foundational TDY framework.
• TDY Lodging covers lodging rules and ILP.
• TDY Transportation covers transportation modes.
• Long-Term TDY covers TDY over 30 days and 180 days.
• Travel Vouchers and Reimbursement covers voucher submission.

Related Roles

• Leaders coach Marines on per diem expectations and the rate verification process.
• Admin at S-1 supports voucher submission and AO routing.
• Commanders serve as AO and approve per diem authorization.

TDY per diem covers lodging plus M&IE at the locality rate. 100 percent for first 30 days. Reduced 75 percent for over 30 days. Flat-rate 55 percent for over 180 days. Proportional meal rate with government meals. First and last day at 75 percent of M&IE. DTMO Per Diem Rate Lookup for current rates.