TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE (TCOP) PROGRAM INITIATIVES OVERVIEW

R 260800Z NOV 24
MARADMIN 573/24
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP MPO//
SUBJ/TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE (TCOP) PROGRAM INITIATIVES OVERVIEW//
REF/A/MSGID: SECDEF MEMO/13SEP24//
REF/B/MSGID:CONGRESS/29DEC22//
REF/C/MSGID: JTR/1OCT24//
NARR/REF A IS THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MEMORANDUM DATED 13 SEPTEMBER
2024. REF B IS THE
CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2023. REF C IS THE JOINT TRAVEL
REGULATIONS.//
POC/OPR IS MRA MPO/EMAIL: [email protected]/TEL: 703-784-9371//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Purpose. To highlight Calendar Year 2024
Department of Defense (DoD) initiatives and its enduring duty and
commitment to American Service members and their families.
2. Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) Period Increase. Building on
previous expansions of permanent change of station (PCS)
move-related payments to Service members, the DoD is working with
partners to adjust the TLE reimbursement from 14 days to 21 days
for Service members moving to a new permanent duty station (PDS)
in the continental United States (CONUS). TLE is an allowance that
partially reimburses a Service member for lodging and meal expenses
when staying in temporary lodging during a PCS. This change aims to
make the moving process smoother and more manageable for Service
members and their families. While the exact timeline for
implementation is still being finalized, we wanted to share this
upcoming change in advance, so you are aware of the positive
adjustments underway.
3. Shipment of Human Breast Milk. In accordance with reference
(b), Service members can now be reimbursed up to $1,000 for the
costs of transporting or shipping expressed human breast milk during
their PCS travel. This policy applies to Service members who have
given birth and are traveling within 12 months after giving birth.
This initiative supports nursing Service members by allowing them to
continue breastfeeding or providing human breast milk for their
infants, even while relocating. This policy change is intended to
help ease the transition during a significant life change.
4. Pilot Program to Reimburse Travel of Designated Person for
Childcare. From 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2027, Service
members may be reimbursed for the commercial travel costs of a
designated childcare provider when full-day care is not available at
the local child development center (CDC) at the new PDS within 30
days of the Service member's reporting date. For a PCS move
between locations within CONUS, reimbursement is limited to $500.
For a PCS move to or from a duty station outside the continental
United States (OCONUS), the reimbursement is limited to $1,500 
Reimbursement is limited to commercial transportation expenses only,
including air, rail, or bus fare, transportation to or from the
airport or rail station, and an enroute or departure rental car.
This pilot program aims to assist Service members in ensuring their
children are cared for during the transition to a new duty station,
especially when initial childcare options are limited. For
additional information regarding this pilot refer to
MARADMIN 537/24.
5. Uniformed Service Member Dependent Care Flexible Spending
Accounts (DCFSAs). The DCFSA initiative allows Service members to
set aside up to $5,000 per household of pre-tax earnings to cover
qualified dependent care expenses to include preschool and
after-school programs. This program helps families manage the costs
of dependent care, making it easier to balance work and family
responsibilities. For additional information about the DCFSA,
including eligibility and how to enroll visit www.fsafeds.gov.
6. Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts (HCFSA) for Service
Members. The DoD will make HCFSAs available to Service members
for the first time through a Special Enrollment Period in March
2025. HCFSAs are an optional benefit that enable Service members
to set aside up to $3,200 in pretax earnings per Service member to
pay for health care costs, such as co-payments, contact lenses,
glasses, dental care, and annual deductibles. For additional
information about the HCFSA, including eligibility and how to enroll
visit www.fsafeds.gov.
7. Reimbursement of Pet Transportation Expenses due to a PCS.
Effective 1 January 2024, Service members on PCS orders may be
reimbursed for costs associated with relocating one household pet.
The reimbursement applies to one household pet, specifically a cat
or dog that is owned for personal companionship. Reimbursement is
limited to $550 per CONUS move and $2,000 per OCONUS move.
This policy helps Service members reduce the costs of relocating
their pets, ensuring that family pets can accompany them during
their transition. For additional information about the allowance
visit https://www.travel.dod.mil/Support/ALL-FAQs/Article/3624131/
pet-transportation-allowance/.
8. DoD Meal Allowance Pilot for Military Childcare in Your
Neighborhood (MCCYN). Effective 1 April 2024, this pilot initiative
provides a meal allowance to all DoD Service members and civilian
families who receive full-time approved care from the MCCYN program.
The purpose of the pilot is to help families offset meal costs in
two scenarios: 1) When meal costs are included in the provider's
rate; or
2) When the provider's rate includes meals but exceeds the monthly
rate cap of $1,800. This initiative aims to alleviate financial
pressure on families, ensuring that children receive nutritious
meals while in care. For further details about the pilot program
and how to access the meal allowance, visit MilitaryChildCare.com.
9. Health Insurance Enhancements Pilot Program for DoD Civilian
Employees. On 27 September 2024, the DoD awarded a one-year pilot
program contracting International SOS Government Services, Inc. to
provide no-cost supplemental support services to DoD General
Schedule (GS) and Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) civilian employees in
Japan. These services, set to begin on 1 January 2025, will be
available to employees enrolled in the Federal Employees Health
Benefits (FEHB) Program. The goal of the pilot program is to
improve access to healthcare resources and assist employees in
navigating their health benefits more effectively. Additional
details dedicated to this pilot program will be announced before
Federal Benefits Open Season begins.
10. For further details regarding these programs please refer to
the appropriate regulations or visit the specified websites.
11. This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force.
12. Release authorized by Brigadier General David R. Everly,
Director, Manpower Plans and Policy Division, Manpower and Reserve
Affairs.//