R 211210Z JUL 25
MARADMIN 343/25
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP MPO//
SUBJ/CHANGE IN POLICY REGARDING TOUR CONVERSION//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/DODI 1315.18/24JUN19//
REF/B/MSGID: DOC/JTR/1MAY25//
REF/C/MSGID: DOC/MCO/1300.8/10MAY21//
NARR/REF A IS DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INSTRUCTION PROCEDURES FOR
MILITARY PERSONNEL ASSIGNMENTS.  REF B IS THE JOINT TRAVEL
REGULATIONS (JTR).  REF C IS THE MARINE CORPS ORDER PERSONNEL
ASSIGNMENT POLICY
POC/OPR IS MRA MPO/EMAIL:  SMB_HQMC_MPO@USMC.MIL/TEL: 703-784-9371/
POC/OCR IS MRA MMIB-3/EMAIL: SMB_MANPOWER_MMIB_3@USMC.MIL/TEL:
703-784-9236//
GENTEX/REMARK/1.  Purpose.  To announce a policy change for Marines
converting from unaccompanied to accompanied overseas tour, aligning
with reference (a).
2.  Policy Change.  Effective immediately, remove the following
sentences from reference (c), paragraph 9.e.(1)(a): "The new tour
length commences upon CMC approval of the new election," and
paragraph 9.e.(1)(d): "The effective date of the tour conversion is
the date that CMC (MMOA/MMEA/RAM), approves the request. These
sentences are replaced with: "Marines reuniting with or acquiring
dependents while assigned overseas must be approved to serve the
accompanied tour to obtain command sponsorship for their
dependents."
3.  Eligibility.  Marines are eligible for a tour conversion without
Rotation Tour Date (RTD) reset if they meet these criteria:
3.a. Time on Station.  Minimum 12 months remaining on station after
command sponsorship approval or dependent arrival, whichever is
later. If this is unmet, Marines must request additional time.
3.b.  Obligated Service.  Enlisted Marines must have sufficient
obligated service to complete the accompanied tour and meet the
12-month time on station requirement. Enlisted Marines without
sufficient obligated service must gain further service to be
eligible for a tour conversion. Officers and career-designated
enlisted Marines with conflicting mandatory retirement/separation
dates are ineligible.
4.  Dependent Travel:
4.a. Initial Assignment with Dependents.  Marines with dependents at
the start of an OCONUS assignment converting their tour will use
their original travel entitlements. However, if those entitlements,
including Household Goods (HHG), were previously used to relocate
dependents to a "designated place" (a location chosen for dependent
relocation using government-funded travel during a
dependent-restricted/unaccompanied tour), no additional entitlements
are authorized for relocation to the OCONUS location. Contact MMIB-3
with PCS travel questions.
4.b.  In-Place Consecutive Overseas Tours (IPCOT): Marines approved
for In-Place Consecutive Overseas Tours (IPCOT) receive new
dependent travel entitlements from their previous duty station,
designated place, or previously approved dependent location
(MMIB-3 provides accounting lines upon request). Dependents may
travel only after IPCOT orders are issued, Overseas Suitability
Screening (OSS) is complete, and command sponsorship is approved.
Advanced Family Member Travel approval from MMIB-3 is not required
for base housing or overseas housing allowance eligibility. Travel,
transportation, and HHG shipment are not authorized if dependents
reside within daily commuting distance of the OCONUS PDS.
4.c.  Acquired Dependents: Marines acquiring dependents after
beginning an OCONUS assignment (classified as "acquired dependents"
per references (a) and (b)) are financially responsible for all
costs associated with relocating them. However, Marines approved for
IPCOT, per paragraph 4.b, are authorized dependent travel
entitlements.
5.  Tour Conversion Scenarios:
5.a  Scenario 1—Marine with dependents initially elects to serve a
24-month unaccompanied OCONUS tour but desires to bring dependents
overseas after 18 months.  Example location: 24-month unaccompanied,
36-month accompanied tour.
5.a.1. Option 1—Tour Conversion: Upon approval, RTD adjusts to 36
months from the Marine's original arrival date (18 months credited).
Dependents must pass OSS before command sponsorship; dependent
travel per paragraph 4.a. No IPCOT or Overseas Tour Extension
Incentive Program (OTEIP) incentives authorized.
5.a.2. Option 2—IPCOT: Upon approval, the Marine starts a new
36-month accompanied tour after the initial 24-month unaccompanied
tour (60 months total). The Marine (not the dependents) receives the
IPCOT travel incentive after the initial tour; dependent travel per
paragraph 4.b. Dependents must pass OSS before command sponsorship.
5.b.  Scenario 2— Dependents Acquired. Marine initially without
dependents receives 24-month unaccompanied OCONUS orders. While
serving, the Marine acquires a dependent after 18 months and desires
to bring them to the OCONUS PDS with command sponsorship.
5.b.1.  Option 1—Tour Conversion: Upon approval, RTD adjusts to 36
months from the Marine's original arrival date (18 months credited),
*requiring an additional 18 months to be served*. Total overseas
tour: 36 months. No IPCOT or OTEIP incentives authorized. Dependent
travel (if not near PDS) per paragraph 4.c.  Dependents must pass
OSS before command sponsorship.
5.b.2.  Option 2—IPCOT: Upon approval, the Marine starts a new
36-month accompanied tour after the initial 24-month unaccompanied
tour (60 months total). The Marine (not the dependents) receives the
IPCOT travel incentive after the initial tour; dependent travel per
paragraph 4.b. Dependents must pass OSS before command sponsorship.
5.c.  Scenario 3—Dependents Acquired with Exception to Policy (ETP):
Marine initially without dependents receives 36-month unaccompanied
OCONUS orders (ETP to reference (a) like Okinawa). While serving,
the Marine acquires a dependent after 18 months and desires to bring
them to the OCONUS PDS with command sponsorship.
5.c.1.  Option 1—Tour Conversion: Upon approval, RTD remains
unchanged unless dependent arrival leaves less than 12 months on
station. No IPCOT or OTEIP incentives authorized. If dependents are
near the PDS, command sponsorship can be approved after tour
conversion and OSS approval; dependent travel (if not near PDS) per
paragraph 4.c.
5.c.2.  Option 2—IPCOT: Upon approval, the Marine starts a new
36-month accompanied tour after the initial 36-month unaccompanied
tour (72 months total). The Marine (not the dependents) receives the
IPCOT travel incentive after the initial tour; dependent travel per
paragraph 4.b. Dependents must pass OSS before command sponsorship.
6.  Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Family Separation
Entitlement: Marines who convert an unaccompanied tour to an
accompanied tour remain eligible for BAH and, if applicable, Family
Separation Allowance (FSA) for 60 days, beginning on the approval
date of the tour conversion.
7.  This policy change is not retroactive.  All existing agreements,
tour conversion agreements, COTs, overseas extensions, and RTD
adjustments, remain in effect.
8.  This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force.
9.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General Michael J. Borgschulte,
Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. //