Renewal Agreement Travel (RAT) and COT

Start Here If You Are New to RAT and COT

Renewal Agreement Travel (RAT) is Government-funded round-trip travel back to CONUS for Marines who extend an OCONUS tour. The Marine returns to the same OCONUS PDS after the home leave. Consecutive Overseas Tour (COT) is the framework when a Marine moves directly from one OCONUS PDS to another OCONUS PDS. Both frameworks support OCONUS retention by lowering the travel cost of extended overseas service. The Overseas Tour Extension Incentive Program (OTEIP) on the Pay and Entitlements category covers the three OTEIP incentives ($2,000, or SR&R absence with or without funded transport).

This page walks you through RAT and COT from your seat as a General Marine. By the end you will know.

• RAT framework for OCONUS tour extensions
• COT framework for direct OCONUS-to-OCONUS PCS
• The relationship to OTEIP (Pay and Entitlements category)
• Eligibility criteria for both
• Travel benefit calculations
• Service agreement obligations

Every fact on this page comes from JTR Chapter 5 paragraphs 053605 and 053606, Vol 7A Chapter 14, Title 37 U.S.C. section 411Title 37 U.S.C. section 411b, and MCO 1300.8MCO 1300.8 Chapter 6 Section 13.

What RAT Is

Per JTR Chapter 5 paragraph 053605 and Title 37 U.S.C. section 411Title 37 U.S.C. section 411b, Renewal Agreement Travel is Government-funded round-trip travel from the OCONUS PDS to the Marine's home of selection in CONUS for Marines who execute an extension of the OCONUS tour.

RAT Eligibility

Per JTR Chapter 5 paragraph 053605, a Marine is eligible for RAT when.

• The Marine is on a designated OCONUS tour.
• The Marine executes a tour extension agreement for at least 1 additional year.
• The OCONUS location is on the RAT-eligible list per the Service framework.

RAT Travel Benefit

The Government provides round-trip transportation from the OCONUS PDS to the home of selection in CONUS (or alternate destination at no greater cost). The Marine.

• Departs the OCONUS PDS.
• Travels to the home of selection.
• Takes leave during the home period (chargeable annual leave).
• Returns to the same OCONUS PDS.

RAT Duration

The Marine takes 30 days of leave (or as authorized) during the home leave period. The Annual Leave page covers the 30-day leave framework. The travel time to and from CONUS is in addition to the leave days.

RAT vs. SR&R Absence

RAT and SR&R Absence (Special Rest and Recuperative Absence under OTEIP) are separate programs.

• RAT. The JTR travel benefit tied to a consecutive overseas tour.
• SR&R Absence. An Overseas Tour Extension Incentive Program (OTEIP) incentive, 15 to 30 days non-chargeable.

Per MARADMIN 450/26MARADMIN 450/26 paragraph 3, OTEIP is separate and distinct from the in-place consecutive overseas tour (IPCOT) leave travel entitlement, and the two are not interchangeable. Do not plan a home period on the assumption the two combine. The R&R and SR&R Leave Programs page covers SR&R.

What COT Is

Per JTR Chapter 5 paragraph 053606, Consecutive Overseas Tour is the framework when a Marine moves directly from one OCONUS PDS to another OCONUS PDS without returning to CONUS in between.

COT Eligibility

Per JTR Chapter 5 paragraph 053606, COT applies when.

• The Marine completes an OCONUS tour.
• The Marine is reassigned to a different OCONUS PDS.
• The travel between the two OCONUS PDSes is direct (not via CONUS).

COT Benefits

A Marine on COT receives.

• All standard PCS allowances (DLA, MEA, HHG, etc.) for the PCS to the new OCONUS PDS.

OTEIP does not attach to a COT move. OTEIP rewards extending at the current location, and per MARADMIN 450/26 the extension period ends on departure from the OCONUS location on PCS orders.

COT and Travel Coordination

The Marine and dependents may take a CONUS leave en route as part of the COT, similar to standard CONUS PCS leave. The travel may be more efficient when going through a CONUS port.

OCONUS Tour Extension Incentive Program (OTEIP)

Per MARADMIN 450/26MARADMIN 450/26, a Marine who extends an OCONUS assignment 12 months or more at an eligible location elects one of three incentives.

1. $2,000, paid in 12 installments of $166.66.
2. SR&R absence, 30 days non-chargeable leave.
3. SR&R absence, 15 days plus round-trip Government transportation to the nearest CONUS port of entry, 20 days for an extension of 13 months or more.

The Marine elects when using the incentive, not at the extension request. The Overseas Tour Extension Incentive Program page on the Pay and Entitlements category covers OTEIP in detail.

OTEIP and RAT Relationship

OTEIP option 3 includes funded transportation, but it is an OTEIP incentive, not a JTR travel entitlement. Per MARADMIN 450/26 paragraph 3, OTEIP and IPCOT leave travel are separate and not interchangeable. OTEIP travel is funded by a line of accounting from CMC (MMIB-3), requested at least 30 days before travel.

Service Agreement Obligation

Per JTR Chapter 5 paragraph 053605, RAT requires a written service agreement to extend the OCONUS tour for at least 1 year. The Marine.

• Signs the agreement before RAT travel.
• Completes the extended tour to fulfill the agreement.
• Faces recoupment of unearned RAT cost if separating early without exemption.

The Pay Problems and Fixes page covers the recoupment framework for unfulfilled service agreements.

Marine Corps Service Regulation

Per Vol 7A Chapter 14 paragraph 4.4, the Marine Corps regulation for OCONUS tour extensions and incentives is Marine Corps Order 1300.8 Chapter 6 Section 13. Under this authority, MARADMIN 450/26 publishes the current OTEIP rules. OTEIP carries no specialty list. From 1 November 2026, every OCONUS location qualifies except Hawaii and the Marine Corps Forces Europe area.

Common Questions Marines Ask

I am at MCAS Iwakuni and want to extend my tour. What benefits do I get?

Extending 12 months or more at Iwakuni qualifies you for OTEIP under MARADMIN 450/26. You pick $2,000, 30 days SR&R, or 15 to 20 days SR&R with a funded round trip. RAT follows its own JTR rules, and per MARADMIN 450/26 OTEIP and IPCOT leave travel are not interchangeable. Your career counselor confirms which applies to your request.

What is the difference between RAT and OTEIP?

RAT is the JTR travel benefit (Government-funded round trip). OTEIP is the incentive program under MARADMIN 450/26 with three options. Per paragraph 3 of the message, OTEIP and IPCOT leave travel are separate and not interchangeable.

I am moving from MCAS Iwakuni to Camp Hansen, Okinawa. Is this a COT?

Per JTR Chapter 5 paragraph 053606, yes. Direct OCONUS-to-OCONUS PCS without returning to CONUS qualifies as a Consecutive Overseas Tour. Standard PCS allowances apply. OTEIP does not attach to a COT move.

How long can I take leave during RAT travel?

Standard leave during the home period is 30 days. OTEIP SR&R Absence is a separate incentive and does not attach to RAT travel. RAT does not change the leave framework. The Annual Leave page covers leave use during PCS.

Do I need to sign a service agreement for RAT?

Yes. RAT requires a written agreement to extend the OCONUS tour at least 1 year. Failure to complete the extension triggers recoupment of unearned RAT cost.

Where to Go for Help

Routing by Issue

• RAT eligibility verification. Coordinate with your career planner and the gaining unit.
• OTEIP. Request the extension through your career counselor, or your PMOS monitor for officers, per MARADMIN 450/26. Travel funding comes from CMC (MMIB-3).
• COT travel planning. Through your career planner and the gaining unit S-1.
• DFAS Marine Corps Pay direct contact. Phone 1-888-332-7411 (DSN 312-571-9450 from overseas).

Where to Go Next on This Site

• PCS landing page lists all the PCS topics.
• Overseas Tour Extension Incentive Program (Pay and Entitlements category) covers the three OTEIP incentives.
• R&R and SR&R Leave Programs covers SR&R absence.
• Annual Leave covers leave during the home period.

Related Roles

• Leaders coach Marines on the three OTEIP incentives and the election timing.
• Admin at S-1 supports RAT travel coordination and OTEIP election documentation.
• Commanders endorse RAT requests, and endorse officer OTEIP extension requests at the first O-5 commander.

RAT provides Government-funded round trip to CONUS for OCONUS extensions. COT covers direct OCONUS-to-OCONUS PCS. Both support OCONUS retention. OTEIP (Pay and Entitlements category) provides three incentives under MARADMIN 450/26, separate from IPCOT leave travel.