R 260900Z NOV 24
MARADMIN 574/24
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP MPO//
SUBJ/TRANSPORT OR SHIPMENT REIMBURSEMENT OF HUMAN BREAST MILK
EXPENSES DURING A PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION (PCS)//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/CONGRESS//
REF/B/MSGID: DOC/CONGRESS/29DEC22//
REF/C/MSGID: JTR/1OCT24//
REF/D/MSGID: GTCCR/MAY22//
NARR/REF A IS TITLE 37, U.S.C. SECTION 452, AUTHORITY FOR ALLOWABLE
TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION: GENERAL AUTHORITIES. REF B IS THE
CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2023. REF C IS THE JOINT TRAVEL
REGUALTIONS, CHAPTER 2, TABLE 2-24, MISCELLANEOUS REIMBURSEABLE
EXPENSES, ITEM 20. REF D IS DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE GOVERNMENT TRAVEL
CHARGE CARD REGULATIONS.
POC/OPR IS MRA MPO/EMAIL: HQMC_MPO@USMC.MIL/TEL: 703-784-9371//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Purpose. To announce the reimbursement of
expenses for transporting or shipping human breast milk expressed
by the Service member during the travel periods of a Permanent
Change of Station (PCS) move. This is available for PCS travel
occurring within 12 months post birth, which is consistent with
Federal law.
2. Authorization. Reimbursement must be included on the PCS
orders endorsement via the Marine Online Outbound Interview Module
before any expenses are incurred. Installation Personnel
Administration Centers (IPAC) should annotate the approval for the
miscellaneous reimbursable expense (human breast milk) in the orders
endorsement. For example, human breast milk transport and shipment
authorized as a travel accommodation for a special need. This
authorization is only applicable to active-duty nursing mothers and
does not apply to military spouses.
3. Reimbursement Limits. Per reference (c), authorized expenses
may be reimbursed up to a maximum of $1,000 per PCS, provided it is
authorized in advance of travel on the PCS orders endorsement and
accompanied by all valid receipts regardless of the amount.
Eligible expenses may include the following: commercial shipping
fees, disposable storage bags or non-durable containers, cold
shipping packages, refrigeration, excess baggage fees, and dry ice
or regular ice. Service members are ultimately responsible for
arranging the transport or shipment of their human breast milk and
for handling all related logistics. Expenses may not include the
cost of a rental vehicle.
4. Unaccompanied Tours. This authority does not extend to nursing
Service members during an unaccompanied tour.
5. Travel Voucher Submission. Service members must submit travel
vouchers within five working days of completion of PCS travel.
6. Transport Guidelines. Authorized service members should consult
the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website at
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/
breast-milk, for questions regarding transporting breast milk within
carry-on baggage.
7. This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force.
8. Release authorized by Brigadier General David R. Everly,
Director, Manpower Plans and Policy Division, Manpower and Reserve
Affairs.//