Military Compensation: Clearer Guidance Needed for Timely Reimbursement of Moving Expenses , July 16 , 2025
Military Compensation: Clearer Guidance Needed for Timely Reimbursement of Moving Expenses , July 16 , 2025
From the report: "DOD’s Financial Management Regulation (FMR) includes timelines for reimbursing service members for costs incurred for permanent change of station (PCS) moves. However, GAO found that parts of the FMR guidance are unclear and have inconsistent PCS reimbursement timelines—including both a 30- calendar day and a 25-business day timeline. Military service officials told GAO that this lack of clarity causes confusion. Without clear guidance, service members might carry the burden of moving costs beyond a reasonable period.
GAO reviewed 3 fiscal years of PCS data from two selected military services— the Army and the Marine Corps—to identify the extent to which such reimbursements were delayed, monitored, and addressed. GAO found that these services regularly monitor PCS reimbursements through multistep reviews and post-payment audits. However, instances of delays persist. Specifically, during the 3-year period, GAO found the following delays, by service:"
Authors - Government Accountability Office (GAO)Related Resources
