Pet Transportation Entitlement
This MARADMIN informs Marines that while the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act authorizes reimbursement for pet relocation costs during PCS moves (up to $550 CONUS, up to $4,000 OCONUS), the entitlement will not be effective until January 1, 2024, after the 2023 peak moving season. Until the authority is published in the Joint Travel Regulations, Marines remain responsible for all pet transportation costs, and reimbursement is not retroactive.
Issued: June 9, 2023
1. Situation. Section 624 of reference (a) amends 37 USC 453, which covers travel and transportation allowances, to authorize service Secretaries to reimburse service members for costs associated with pet relocation of up to $550 for CONUS based PCS moves and up to $4,000 for OCONUS PCS moves. However, 37 USC 464 requires that any such travel and transportation allowance be administered pursuant to regulations developed by the Secretary of Defense in concert with the service Secretaries. 2. Purpose. To manage expectations prior to the start of the Calendar Year 2023 Peak Moving Season regarding reimbursement for pet relocation expenses. The new pet relocation reimbursement allowance, prior to being implemented in reference (b), must first be approved by the Services' Military Advisory Panel members, Service Principals, and then finally by the Chairman of the Per Diem, Travel, and Transportation Allowance Committee. Further, due to the significant unbudgeted costs of this new authority, it is expected this new Pet Transportation entitlement will not be effective until 1 January 2024, which will be after the Calendar Year 2023 Peak Moving season. Therefore, until this authority is published in reference (b), costs associated with the transportation of pets remains the responsibility of the Marine and are not retroactive to the passage of the FY 23 NDAA. HQMC, I&L, LP will, however, continue to track this new Pet Transportation Entitlement through the Defense Travel Enterprise and provide status updates of the approval to the Marine Corps Total Force, via various social media sites, such as https:(slash)(slash)www.facebook.com/usmcpassengertravel and on HQMC (LPD)'s public PCS Move Resources website at: https:(slash)(slash)www.iandl.marines.mil/Divisions/Logistics-Division-LP/Logistics-Distribution-Policy-Branch-LPD/PCS-Move-Resources. Click on Menu Item "Passenger Travel" where updates on the new Pet Transportation Entitlement and other information directly related to passenger travel issues are published and routinely updated. The USMC PCS Advocacy Council social media Facebook Groups will also have the latest PCS-related information on their group websites https:(slash)(slash)www.facebook.com/USMCPCSSupport and https:(slash)(slash)www.facebook.com/USMCPCSSupportPacific. 3. Release authorized by BGen Forrest C. Poole III, Assistant Deputy Commandant, Installations and Logistics (LP).