R 081548Z SEP 25
MARADMIN 423/25 
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA//
SUBJ/UPDATES TO HOUSING ALLOWANCE POLICIES UNDER SPECIFIC 
CIRCUMSTANCES FOR RESERVE COMPONENT MARINES WITHOUT DEPENDENTS//
REF/A/DOC/PUBLIC LAW 118-31/22DEC2023//
REF/B/DOC/TITLE 37, U.S.C.//
REF/C/DOC/DoD 7000.14-R//
REF/D/DOC/TITLE 31, U.S.C.//
REF/E/DOC/MRA(MIO)/19AUG2008//
AMPN/REF A IS PUBLIC LAW 118-31, THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION
ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024, SECTION 624, DUAL BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR
HOUSING. REF B IS TITLE 37, UNITED STATES CODE, SECTION 403, BASIC
ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING, SUBSECTION (g), RESERVE MEMBERS. REF C IS
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DoD) FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS (FMR)
VOLUME 7A, CHAPTER 26, HOUSING ALLOWANCES. REF D IS TITLE 31, UNITED
STATES CODE, SECTION 3528, RESPONSIBILITIES AND RELIEF FROM
LIABILITY OF CERTIFYING OFFICIALS. REF E IS THE MARINE CORPS TOTAL
FORCE SYSTEM (MCTFS) PERSONNEL REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS USER MANUAL
(PRIUM)//
POC/MRA RA/EMAIL: SMB_RAP@usmc.mil/TEL: 703-784-9615//
POC/MRA MPO/EMAIL: SMB_HQMC_MPO@usmc.mil//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Purpose.  To announce updates to Marine Corps
policy for Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), effective upon the
release of this MARADMIN, for Reserve Component (RC) Marines without
dependents that:
    a.  Implement changes directed by reference (A) authorizing dual
BAH entitlement when ordered to active duty to attend training or
Professional Military Education (PME) for at least 140 days but
fewer than 365 days when the RC Marine is not assigned to government
quarters at the Training/PME School; and
    b.  Clarify policy for RC Marines who voluntarily receive
Active-Duty Permanent Change of Station Orders (PCSOs) or
Active-Duty Operational Support (ADOS) orders exceeding 180 days,
assigning them outside the continental United States (OCONUS).
2.  Background.
    a.  Marines ordered to active duty for Training/PME.  In
accordance with reference (A), as codified in reference (B) and
implemented by reference (C), an RC Marine (specifically Selected
Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR), Individual Mobilization Augmentee
(IMA), and Individual Ready Reserve (IRR)) without dependents and
issued orders to active duty to attend PME or training, shall, under
certain conditions, receive both a BAH at the without-dependent rate
applicable for the Marine's paygrade and to the Training/PME School
location and a BAH at the without-dependent rate applicable for
their primary residence location, when the Marine is not assigned to
government quarters at the Training/PME School.
    b.  Marines ordered to voluntary active duty at an OCONUS PDS.
In accordance with references (B) and (C), an RC Marine without
dependents and issued voluntary PSCO or ADOS over 180 days to an
OCONUS PDS shall, under certain circumstances, receive a BAH at the
without-dependent rate applicable for their primary residence
location, when the Marine is assigned to government quarters at the
OCONUS PDS.
3.  Definitions.
    a.  Primary Residence Address (PRA).  For the purposes of this
MARADMIN, a PRA refers to the RC Marine s main dwelling or home
where they resided (lived/occupied) at the time of issuance
(authentication) of orders and for which they hold financial
responsibility, either through ownership or a rental/lease
agreement.  The PRA must be specified in the PCSO or ADOS order and
must correspond with the primary residence documented in the Marine
Corps Total Force System (MCTFS) D191 remark.
4.  Eligibility.
    a.  Training/PME.  An RC Marine without dependents who is
ordered to active duty to attend a training or PME course with a
scheduled duration of at least 140 days but fewer than 365 days may
be determined eligible to receive a dual housing allowance if they
meet the following criteria:
        (1)  The Marine is not assigned to government quarters at
the Training/PME location.
        (2)  The Marine Resource Order Writing Service (MROWS) orders
must identify that the Marine will be returning to their PRA upon
completion of orders.
        (3)  The Marine provides proof of both occupancy and
financial responsibility for their PRA in accordance with paragraph
5.b. below.
    b.  OCONUS PDS.  An RC Marine who is issued voluntary PSCO or
ADOS over 180 days to an OCONUS PDS, is not authorized shipment of
household goods (HHG), and is assigned to government quarters at the
OCONUS PDS location - may be determined eligible to receive a BAH 
for their PRA location if they meet the following criteria:
        (1)  The Marine Resource Order Writing Service (MROWS) orders
must identify that the Marine will be returning to their PRA upon 
completion of orders.
        (2)  The Marine provides proof of both occupancy and 
financial responsibility for their PRA in accordance with paragraph 
5.b. below.
5.  Execution
    a.  Reserve Affairs Management, Marine Forces Reserve 
(MARFORRES), and Marine Forces Individual Mobilization Augmentee 
Operational Group Sponsors will identify service members who receive
orders to active duty for longer than 140 days to attend a PME or 
training classes when the intent is to return the member to the 
location where the Marine maintains primary residence in less than 
365 days.  The original orders sending the Marine to a Training/PME 
course will have language in their orders stating such intent.
    b.  The Marine must provide proof of occupancy at their PRA on 
or before the issuance (authentication) of orders, demonstrating 
residence at the time of orders issuance.  During initial join and 
upon subsequent orders issuance, the Marine must also provide proof 
of payment or additional lease documentation as deemed necessary by 
the certifying officer.  To qualify for BAH, the RC member must meet
both the occupancy criteria outlined in subparagraph (1) the 
ownership/rental criteria outlined in subparagraph (2).   
        (1)  Two forms of supporting documentation that prove the 
member's occupancy are required. One form must be from sub-paragraph 
    a.  The other form must be from one of the criteria listed in sub 
paragraphs b. through g:   
            (a)  Member's deed, mortgage, commercial lease agreement,
property tax record, or affidavit of primary residence.
            (b)  Member's utility bill.
            (c)  Member's civilian employment documentation.
            (d)  Member's driver's license, motor vehicle 
registration, motor vehicle insurance, or voter registration card.
            (e)  Member's documentation showing enrollment in a 
resident trade school, college, university, or other education 
program.
            (f) Member's personal bills, banking statements, or 
credit card statements.
            (g) Other documentation the Validating Official 
determines reasonably authenticates the primary residence address.
        (2)  Acceptable proof of financial responsibility includes:
            (a)  Ownership of the primary residence which can be 
verified through a property deed, mortgage, or other legal documents.
            (b)  Rental agreements, lease agreements, and
month-to-month leases must be accompanied by proof of payment for
each month beginning with the month of orders issuance and through 
the month in which the Marine submits such proof.
    c.  Commanders, administrative personnel, or finance personnel 
will request verification of occupancy and financial responsibility 
at any time during the order process (issuance, joining, auditing).
    d.  The gaining command S-1 will notify the Installation 
Personnel Administration Center (IPAC) or the administrative section
responsible for unit diary transactions via naval letter utilizing
the Electronic Personnel Administrative Request module within Marine
Online when a Marine meets the eligibility criteria in paragraph 3
and the occupancy/financial responsibility criteria in paragraph
4.b. Such letter should state the Marine meets the eligibility
requirements and specify which of the documents from paragraph 5.b. 
were considered for their eligibility. The letter should also 
include the Marine's PRA and reference the MROWS orders requiring 
the Marine to attend training to include the MROWS number and date. 
The gaining command S-1 will place the naval letter in the Marine's 
Official Military Personnel File for audit purposes.
    e.  The IPAC or administrative section certifying personnel 
officer is responsible for ensuring the legality, accuracy, and 
proper use of government funds in accordance with reference (D).  
This duty entails meticulous verification of all documents to 
prevent errors, misuse, and overpayments, aligning with the 
principles of pecuniary responsibility.  By requesting additional 
documentation, the certifying officer fulfills this obligation, 
safeguarding public resources and maintaining accountability in 
financial operations.  Upon determination that all criteria have 
been met, the certifying officer must report transaction type code 
(TTC) 388/002 Family Separation Housing-B (FSH-B), TTC 496-001 
FSH-O, and /or TTC 388-001 BAH, as appropriate based upon individual
circumstances, per instructions in reference (e) to start the 
authorized housing allowance(s).
    f.  The above housing allowances will only be reported via the 
IPAC or administrative section and not through the 
Disbursing/Finance office via a travel voucher.
6.  Termination of BAH for the PRA location.  The Marine's 
entitlement to BAH for their PRA location will terminate if any of 
the following occurs.  In the event of such termination, the 
Marine's housing allowance would subsequently be based solely upon 
individual circumstances at the Training/PME or OCONUS PDS location,
as applicable.
    a.  Failure to meet the requirements outlined in paragraph 4.b.
    b.  Entering into rental agreements after the issuance 
(authentication) date of orders.
    c.  Profiting from the property (PRA) that qualifies the member 
for BAH.
    d.  Moving from the primary residence (i.e., selling the 
property or terminating the rental agreement/lease).
    e.  Placement of HHG in non-temporary storage, regardless of 
whether at government or personal expense.
    f.  The Marine's active-duty period at an OCONUS PDS is extended
(i.e. MROWS orders modified) for 140 days or more for Active-Duty 
(AD) training or 181 days or  more for AD other than training, and 
HHG shipment is authorized for the PCS, housing allowances based on 
the primary residence (BAH-RC, BAH, or OHA) will cease the day 
before the modification or amendment date of the orders. On the 
modification date, housing allowances (BAH or OHA) will be adjusted 
based on the Permanent Duty Station (PDS).
7.  Acquisition of dependent(s).  Upon acquisition of one or more 
dependents by a Marine in receipt of a housing allowance under this 
MARADMIN, the Marine's housing allowance(s) must be reevaluated in 
accordance with reference (C) and adjusted accordingly. 
8.  This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force.
9.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General William J. Bowers, 
Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//