MARADMIN 537/24 - Travel Reimbursement for a Designated Person to Provide Childcare During Permanent Change of Station Moves

Scope

MARADMIN 537/24 announces a Department of Defense pilot program reimbursing commercial transportation costs for a designated individual who provides childcare during PCS moves when the Child Development Center at the new PDS cannot accommodate the dependent within 30 days of arrival. The pilot expires 2027-09-20. Applicability is the Marine Corps Total Force.

Audience

• Active Duty Marines on PCS orders with dependent children not yet entering school. Eligible when requested full-day childcare at a military-operated center is unavailable within 30 days of arrival.
• Designated childcare providers. Must be at least 18 years old. Cannot be a dependent of the service member.
• Defense Travel Administrators. Process the travel memorandum and PCS voucher.

Eligibility

• Active duty service members with PCS orders.
• Moving with a dependent not yet in school.
• Requested full-day childcare at a military-operated center.
• Childcare unavailable at the military-operated center within 30 days of arrival.

Reimbursement caps

• CONUS to CONUS PCS. Up to $500 commercial transportation.
• PCS to or from OCONUS. Up to $1,500 commercial transportation.
• Limit. One reimbursement per household.
• Excluded. Centrally Billed Account use for the designated individual.

Application process

1. Create an account on MilitaryChildCare.com (MCC).
2. Search for childcare and submit a request.
3. After 2024-10-01, generate a Travel Memorandum from the MCC account verifying the child is on the waiting list with childcare unavailable within 30 days of arrival.
4. Submit the travel memorandum and travel receipts with the PCS voucher.

Resources

• FAQ. Child Care Transportation Reimbursement on the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.
• https://www.travel.dod.mil/About/News/Article/Article/3914630/
• https://public.militarychildcare.csd.disa.mil/mcc-central/mcchome/travel-reimbursement

Connection to higher policy

• Section 627 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
• Joint Travel Regulations.

Connection to Marine Corps doctrine

• MARADMIN 573/24. TCOP Program Initiatives Overview. Companion overview message.

Status

Released 2024-11-06, DTG R 052004Z NOV 24. Originator CMC Washington DC MRA MP MPO. Release authorized by Brigadier General David R. Everly, Director, Manpower Plans and Policy Division. Applicability is the Marine Corps Total Force. POC OPR MRA MPO at HQMC_MPO@usmc.mil, 703-784-9371. Pilot expires 2027-09-20.