army duty assignment

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Areas of Special Emphasis

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NCOER Duty Descriptions

Below are duty descriptions by MOS or position or additional duty. If you don't see a page for your MOS or additional duty, enter it in the form at the bottom of this page and a page will be made for it within a couple of days.

• 00F MOS Immaterial, National Guard
• 00G MOS Immaterial, Reserve
• 09L Interpreter/Translator
• CMF 11 Duty Descriptions
• CMF 12 Duty Descriptions
• CMF 13 Duty Descriptions
• CMF 14 Duty Descriptions
• CMF 15 Duty Descriptions
• CMF 17 Duty Descriptions
• CMF 18 Duty Descriptions
• CMF 19 Duty Descriptions
• CMF 21 Duty Descriptions
• CMF 25 Duty Descriptions
• CMF 27 Duty Descriptions
• 29E Electronic Warfare Specialist
• CMF 31 Duty Descriptions
• CMF 35 Duty Descriptions
• CMF 36 Duty Descriptions
• CMF 37 Duty Descriptions
• CMF 38 Duty Descriptions
• CMF 42 Duty Descriptions
• CMF 46 Duty Descriptions
• 51C Contracting NCO
• 52D (Now 91D) Power Generation
• CMF 56 Duty Descriptions
• CMF 63 Duty Descriptions
• CMF 66 Duty Descriptions
• CMF 68 Duty Descriptions
• CMF 70 Duty Descriptions
• 74D Chemical Operations Specialist
• CMF 79 Duty Descriptions
• CMF 88 Duty Descriptions
• CMF 89 Duty Descriptions
• CMF 91 Duty Descriptions
• CMF 92 Duty Descriptions
• CMF 94 Duty Descriptions
• 96B (now 35F) Intelligence Analyst
• 96D (now 35G) Imagery Analyst

Additional duty

• Ammunition NCO/Manager
• Arms Room NCO
• Assistant Operations NCO
• Aviation Element
• Aviation Platoon Sergeant
• Barracks Management NCO
• Battalion Maintenance officer
• Brigade Strength Manager
• Building Manager/Facility Management
• Casualty Affairs Office
• Clinical Flight Coordinator
• Combat Lifesaver
• Combatives Advisor
• Command Language Program Manager
• Command Post
• Command Sergeant Major (CSM)
• COMSEC Custodian
• Current Operations NCO
• Defense Travel System (DTS)
• Deployment NCOIC
• Detachment Sergeant
• Drill Sergeant
• Enlisted Aide
• Entry Control Point (ECP)
• Equal Opportunity Advisor
• Escort, Security
• Executive Officer (XO)
• Executive Operations NCO
• Family Readiness Liaison
• Fire Team Leader
• First Sergeant
• Force Protection NCO
• Forward Observer
• Future Operations (FUOPS)
• Honor Guard
• Information Management Office (IMO)
• Inspector/IG
• International Military Student Officer (IMSO)
• Instructor/Writer
• Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC)
• Knowledge Manager
• Liaison Noncommissioned Officer (LNO)
• Mail Clerk/NCOIC
• Material Management NCO
• Medical Readiness NCO
• Military Financial Advisor
• Motor Sergeant
• NCOIC Duty Description
• Observer Controller Trainer (OC/T)
• Operations NCO
• Orderly Room NCO
• Physical Security Officer (PSO)
• Plans Officer
• Platoon Sergeant
• Property Book Officer (PBO)
• Protective Service Agent
• Protocol Officer
• Provost Marshals Office
• Quality Control
• Range Operations
• Readiness NCO
• Rear Detachment NCOIC/1SG/SGM
• Rear Detachment Sergeant
• Rear Detachment Platoon Sergeant
• Rear Detachment Shift Leader
• Recruiter Duty Descriptions
• RSP Training NCO
• S-3 Duty Descriptions
• S-4 Duty Descriptions
• SAMS-E Operator
• Schools and DTS NCO
• Senior Leader Course (SLC)
• Senior Mechanic
• Senior Supply NCO
• Sergeant of the Guard
• Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC)
• Small Group Leader
• Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU)
• Sponsorship Program NCO
• Squad Leader
• Staff Duty NCO
• Subsistence NCO
• Survey Administrator
• Targeting NCO
• Terminal Area Security Officer (TASO)
• Team Leader
• Technical Inspector
• Test Control Officer
• Training NCO
• Unit Administrator
• Unit Armorer
• Unit Movement Officer
• Unit Prevention Leader (UPL)
• Unit RESET Planner
• Unit Supply Sergeant
• Victim Advocate
• Voting Assistance Officer (VAO)
• Warehouse Manager
• XO (Executive Officer)
• Misc Duty Descriptions

DA PAM 623-3, Evaluation Reporting System

3-6. Part III, Duty Description

This information is written by the rater and verified with the rated NCO. Refer to DA PAM 623-3, Evaluation Reporting System, table 3-3 for duty description evaluation instructions. The duty description:

Is an outline of the normal requirements of the specific duty position. Should show type of work required rather than frequently changing tasks. Is essential to performance counseling and evaluation. It is used during the first counseling session to tell the rated NCO what the duties are and what needs to be emphasized. May be updated during the rating period. Is used at the end of the rating period to record what was important about the duties.

NCOER Part : IIIc: Daily Duties and Scope

These must include a series of phrases, starting with verbs/action words and separated by semicolons and ending in a period. This block should address the most important routine duties and responsibilities. Ideally, this should include the number of people supervised, equipment, facilities, and dollars involved and any other routine duties and responsibilities.

Readiness NCO or training NCO. For ARNGUS AGR Soldiers assigned as readiness NCO or training NCO, enter both the NCO's TOE or TDA assignment and the full-time support titles such as Chief or Firing Battery/Readiness NCO. Include a mix of both the position duties and the full-time support duties in Part IIIc, d, and e.

NCOER Part : IIId: Areas of Special Emphasis

Enter areas of special emphasis/appointed duties. These must include a list of tasks/duties separated by semicolons and ending with a period. This block is the most likely to change during the rating period. It should include the most important items that applied at any time during the rating period. ARNGUS AGR Soldiers assigned as readiness NCO or training NCO, enter both the NCO's TOE or TDA assignment and the full-time support titles such as Chief or Firing Battery/Readiness NCO. Include a mix of both the position duties and the full-time support duties in Part IIIc, d, and e.

NCOER Part : IIIe: Appointed Duties

Include duties appointed that are not normally included in the duty description. For ARNGUS AGR Soldiers assigned as Readiness NCO or Training NCO, enter both the NCO's TOE or TDA assignment and the full-time support titles such as Chief or Firing Battery/Readiness NCO. Include a mix of both the position duties and the full-time support duties in Part III, d, and e.

NCOER Part : IIIf: Counseling Dates

Enter the actual dates of the counseling obtained from the DA Form 2166-8-1 (YYYYMMDD). When counseling dates are omitted, the senior rater will enter a statement in part Ve, explaining why counseling was not accomplished. The absence of counseling will not be used as the sole basis for an appeal. However, the lack of counseling may be used to help support other claims made in an appeal.

Use this form to contribute examples.

Duty Title:

Duty Description:

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• General Military Questions

Military TDY: Temporary Duty Assignment Explained

The U.S. Armed Forces issue different types of military travel orders to personnel.

Your military travel orders pertain to changes in your duty location and the duration, and may also impact your military pay.

Military TDY (Temporary Duty) is one common type of military travel order .

Get all your questions answered about Temporary Duty (TDY) status and what you can expect to experience with this type of order.

Related Article – Military Child Care: 8 Great Options

Table of Contents

What is TDY?

The U.S. Military has three primary types of military travel orders:

• Permanent Change of Station (PCS)
• Temporary Duty (TDY)
• Deployments Orders

It is important to keep in mind that the three types of military assignment orders are not the same and each has its own characteristics.

Your military orders may affect how long you serve at the post, the specific location, and special duty pay.

Temporary Duty (TDY) is defined by the Department of Defense as:

Duty at one or more locations, away from the permanent duty station (PDS), under an order, providing for further assignment or pending further assignment, to return to the old PDS or to proceed to a new PDS.

Military branches under the U.S. Armed Forces have different references for Military TDY, like TAD (temporary additional duty) or TCS (temporary change of station).

However, they all mean basically the same thing that your military orders are temporary.

The primary difference between Military TDY and other orders is that it grants authorization for a service member to perform work away from the permanent duty station.

The Department of Defense requires the label Military TDY (or one of its variants) to approve travel pay, per diem, and coverage of other expenses to assist the soldier.

Since the assignment is temporary, the service member can expect a shorter stay than a permanent station assignment, however, the length of the orders may vary.

The individual details of TDY orders are fleshed out with each commitment.

The specifics of your Military TDY outline expected duration, amount of travel pay, coverage of expenses, housing and food support, transportation, and other forms of assistance.

How long is a TDY?

Military TDY is temporary for military orders, so the length is generally not longer than 180 days.

Temporary duty orders may range anywhere from a few days to a half year.

Long-term TDY is any orders which specify longer than 30 days.

TDY per diem rates depend on the location you have orders for. It will also include reimbursement for lodging, meals, and incidentals. 

Use this calculator to determine how much you can expect to receive. 

Military TDY is a stark contrast from Permanent Duty Assignments and Deployments, which have commitments of several months or years.

The Department of Defense authorizes TDY through Joint Travel Regulations.

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Is TDY considered a deployment?

Technically there is a difference between a temporary duty assignment (TDY) and Deployment, even though they are both military orders.

Deployments are similar to military TDY, except that the service member is assigned to a specific operation.

Therefore, deployments usually reference combat operations that take place overseas.

When most civilians think of military orders, they commonly associate everything with being deployed, though that’s not always the case based on the actual military definition.

Deployment refers to assigning military personnel from a home station to somewhere outside the continental United States.

Mobilizations are also classified as deployments under the Department of Defense guidelines.

How does a TDY differ from a deployment?

The biggest difference between deployments and temporary duty assignments is the length of the orders.

Military TDY is short-term, with even longer stints requiring less than a half year of commitment.

On the other hand, deployments are typically longer and involve assignments outside the United States.

Additionally, deployments involve assignments to specific operations and usually in combat situations.

However, both types of military orders have similarities.

For example, military personnel must leave their home station for a different location under each type of order.

Military TDY is not always as serious as deployments.

For instance, a temporary duty assignment could mean nothing more than attending school, conferences, or a military-sponsored event.

Or it could pertain to a regular part of military duty where frequent travel is mandatory and the service member hopes to receive some form of compensation for their travel exs.

There are cases where military personnel earn TDY status even when working in the same geographic area as the home base to justify lodging and meal expenses associated with the duty.

Soldiers also rely on military TDY for house hunting and other searches when considering a new permanent change of station or out-processing from military service.

Can I go with my husband/wife on a TDY?

One of the many perks of temporary duty assignments is that you can occasionally bring along the family.

The same is not true of deployments where it would put your spouse or other family members in danger.

If given the chance to bring along a spouse for your temporary duty assignment, you should welcome the opportunity, but keep in mind that pier diem rates are only calculated for the service member.

Military personnel often spend months away from family and friends, so having a unique opportunity like this to spend with a loved one is rare and special.

MilitaryShoppers.com put together a great resource on the topic.

It explains the pros and cons of tagging along with a significant other while he or she is on TDY.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that while you can live with your spouse while on temporary duty assignment, his or her time is still limited and it might drain your budget quickly.

Other than that, it’s an enticing opportunity to catch up after potentially months of separation.

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Will I get paid extra during a TDY?

Despite having to leave your home station, there is nothing more rewarding than a little extra pay in freedom.

It is exactly what temporary duty assignments provide to service members.

In fact, the reason that military personnel may request or seek TDY is the opportunity to put more in their wallet.

Military TDY usually grants per diem pay, which helps cover lodging, meals, and incidental expenses.

You get a set per diem pay regardless of what you actually spend each day on daily expenses.

As a result, if you budget accordingly, you can earn extra cash by pocketing whatever per diem you don’t spend on daily living expenses.

What kind of accommodations can I expect during a TDY?

The accommodations of temporary duty assignments are nothing to brag about yet offer incentives that most military personnel don’t get to enjoy.

For example, the potential opportunity to take your significant other along with you when TDY is a major advantage for some.

Military personnel may get the opportunity to stay at furnished apartments or long-term stay hotels.

Long-term stays help save you money on your per diem since you can cook your own meals as opposed to dining out all of the time.

Furnished apartments may also include laundry and other housing services to save even more money.

Service members on TDY may also request a cash advance of 60-80% of the total value.

It helps cover move-in costs as opposed to spending out of their own pocket.

Some military organizations deem anything over 30 consecutive calendar days. 

For this reason, it allows partial reimbursement of living expenses prior to concluding the assignment.

Military TDY, or temporary duty assignments, refer to relatively short-term military travel orders away from a home station.

Temporary duty assignments range from a couple of days to under six months.

Military TDY is a good thing for soldiers despite the travel arrangements, as it helps cover lodging, food, and transportation regarding the orders.

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NCOs Can Now Rank Their Assignment Preferences Under a New Army System

For the first time, the U.S. Army will allow noncommissioned officers to rank where they would like to be assigned.

Similar to its Assignment Interactive Module for officers, in use since 2016, the service announced earlier this month that it will roll out the virtual "Assignment Satisfaction Key -- Enlisted Marketplace" (ASK-EM) for the 2021 manning cycle.

Those eligible include active-duty soldiers in the ranks of E-6 through E-8, according to a release. They can give their top five choices for assignment location.

Read Next: Fort Bragg Now Admits its Twitter Account Wasn't Hacked

"Soldier preference is important because we believe a Soldier performs at a higher level when they're in an assignment that interests them," Col. Michael McGregor, director of the Enlisted Personnel Management Directorate, said in the release. "Soldiers have some input into their assignments now, but that will increase significantly as we field ASK-EM."

The goal is to more accurately pair noncommissioned officers with their duty station based on their "knowledge, skills, behaviors and preferences," the release states.

"These initiatives optimize the Army's ability to get the right Soldier with the right talents to the right assignment at the right time. It will also allow commanders to maximize the talent provided them," McGregor said.

The new program is set to go live Nov. 11, according to a separate announcement .

Leaders will get more information about when a soldier is best available for a permanent change-of-station move or temporary duty assignment to match gaps the service needs to fill.

"Heightened awareness about Soldier talent, along with knowing when he or she is available to move, will help us make informed decisions when assigning the most qualified Soldiers to meet Army requirements," McGregor explained.

ASK-EM follows two pilot programs that involved 1,700 NCOs, according to Army Human Resources Command.

According to Col. Bryan Harris, Armor Enlisted Branch chief at the command, 55% of those participating received one of their top five choices.

The automated marketplace will someday serve an average of 35,000 NCOs per year, and will be tied to "five enlisted manning cycles per year, compared to two cycles for officers," the command said.

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at [email protected] . Follow her on Twitter at @oriana0214.

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Oriana Pawlyk

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Army updates online tool for selecting assignments

The Army is updating a program that allows active-duty enlisted soldiers to choose preferences for assignments and locations.

The Assignment Satisfaction Key, or ASK, program has been redesigned by the Army Human Resources Command to be an expanded career development tool, according to an Army news release .

As in the past, soldiers can use the Web-based program to choose their preferences for future assignments and locations. Enlisted soldiers in ranks E-1 through E-8 non-promotable can view requisitions via the online tool, then volunteer for them and indicate their preferences.

When a soldier logs in to ASK, he or she will only see assignments they are eligible for, based on MOS, rank, time on station, and military education. This provides troops with realistic expectations, according to the release.

Once a soldier submits the request, it shows up in the Army's Enlisted Distribution and Assignment System, and Human Resources Command assignment managers will work on the order.

The updated tool allows soldiers to select assignments with lower requisition priority, instead of only showing assignments that have the most in-demand needs to be filled.

This has increased the number of assignments soldiers can view, an HRC spokeswoman said.

"Requisitions are each assigned a priority, based on Army Manning Guidance, that dictates which assignments should be filled first," Lt. Col. Janet Herrick said.

ASK now includes additional priorities, allowing soldiers to select from a higher number of available units and locations, she said.

The updated program now has one screen that's easier to navigate, and it also offers soldiers the option of indicating his or her availability for broadening opportunities, including drill sergeant and recruiter assignments, or other special-duty interests.

Soldiers who nominate themselves for assignment through ASK will receive feedback via email.

The assignment tool is available at https://www.ask.army.mil/ask . An Army Knowledge Online account password is needed to gain access.

Charlsy Panzino covers the Guard and Reserve, training, technology, operations and features for Army Times and Air Force Times. Email her at [email protected] .  

Charlsy is a Reporter and Engagement Manager for Military Times. Email her at [email protected].

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The Military Wallet

Temporary Duty Assignments – Understanding Your Pay & Benefits While on TDY Orders

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TDY is the three-letter acronym that often leaves servicemembers and families confused. Get to know the various types of Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY) or Temporary Assignment Duty (TAD) to keep your finances and sanity from teetering into the red when you are on TDY orders.

Fully  understanding your military assignments and benefits is the benchmark of a seasoned servicemember. Pay increases or decreases, what per diem covers, and whether or not family members could or should accompany are all factors to fully grasp before going TDY.

Three Types of Military Orders

There are three primary types of military orders:

• Permanent Change of Station (PCS)
• Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY)

Of the three, TDY orders are likely the most complex, as they can be issued as an add-on to additional orders like a PCS. In addition to complexity, TDY orders also offer the most flexibility for servicemembers and their dependents to determine how they will handle assignments, placing them in a location anywhere from just a few days to six months.

There are likely dozens of situations where TDY may be issued. Some examples include additional schooling, career specialties that require frequent travel, or completing special assignments for the military. In nature, the assignments are meant to be short in duration and non-permanent.

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Financial Considerations of TDY Orders

The financial characteristics of TDY are perhaps the most important piece to understand. Consider TDY orders to be similar to travel for professional civilian jobs (like conferences). The organization, in this case, the military, will authorize a certain dollar amount per day called “per diem” for everyday expenses such as food, lodging, and transportation. Essentially, additional TDY pay on top of your regular pay is an additional fixed budget given to you per day. It is the servicemember’s responsibility to budget adequately.

You may be eligible for per diem even if you are temporarily assigned in the same state as your current duty station depending on the situation.

While on assignment, it is critical to keep the following receipts so you can have them validated for reimbursement upon return.

• Meal receipts
• Taxi/Uber/shuttle expenses
• Any travel costs like flights, subway, etc.
• Daily mileage totals (if you are traveling in your own vehicle)
• Incidental expenses or any unexpected costs directly related to daily operations

According to the Department of Defense , “A Service member ordered to a U.S. installation must use adequate and available Government quarters.” This means that if lodging is available, you will likely be required to stay in military housing, such as the barracks, or in installation hotels or accommodations. While exceptions to policy (ETP) do happen, it is largely dependent on a host of factors.

Exceptions to Policy (ETP)

Let’s say, for example, that following his commission , a soldier receives TDY orders to Basic Officer Leaders Course (BOLC) which requires a six-month stay. The soldier has a family and would prefer they accompany him to the training and he requests to stay in off-installation accommodations for the duration of the training course.

While it is not guaranteed, this is a strong case for ETP to be considered. Off installation accommodations would offer greater flexibility to find budget-friendly options within per diem that also include benefits such as on-site laundry and kitchenettes.

When overages or excessive fees are incurred or circumstances constitute an exception to policy, the Authorizing Official (AO) will need to pre-approve the charges before they will be reimbursed. You may not be reimbursed if you are not given pre-authorization, so it is essential to communicate prior to making decisions that will incur costs.

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Per Diem – What is Covered on TDY Orders?

Knowing what is not covered in per diem is just as important as knowing what is.

The military will not cover alcohol purchases in stores or in restaurant establishments. If a servicemember chooses to consume alcohol with their meal, a separate receipt would likely be the best choice, additionally, any charges will be the full responsibility of the individual. Additionally, when deciding to consume alcohol, a full understanding of what hours are considered on and off duty is the responsibility of the servicemember.

Family Separation Allowance (FSA) is an additional benefit offered to servicemembers when they are on assignment away from their family greater than 30 days. It is important to note that if a servicemember’s family accompanies the active duty member for the entire duration of the TDY, FSA would not be considered. However, FSA benefits do apply when dependents visit the servicemember for less than 30 consecutive days.

The eligibility for FSA may be extended to National Guard and wounded warriors, depending on the type, length, and restrictions of the TDY assignment.

Meal rates are based upon location, just like in the civilian world. Speaking with the Authorizing Official (AO) before going TDY to get a precise dollar amount for per diem is highly recommended. A portion, but not always the full amount of gratuity is also included in travel-related expenses.

An often-forgotten component of TDY rates includes factoring in “included” meals provided by the conference or government in your stay. If two out of three meals will be provided, rates may be reduced per day as well as any additional meals. Religious or dietary requirements are an exception to the policy if the traveler meets all requirements. All servicemembers should speak with their local Authorizing Official, command, and financial office to ensure they are fully up to speed.

Going TDY can provide an interesting change of pace and has the potential to put some extra cash in your pocket depending on your budget and personal preferences. If you are someone who likes to cook for yourself in a kitchenette you can save some money. But if you are expected to attend formal functions, eating out often, TDY can get expensive. With a little planning, your TDY experience can be a good one.

About Post Author

Samantha Peterson

Samantha Peterson is a regular contributor for military publications such as The Military Wallet, Military Families Magazine, We Are The Mighty and more. She feels passionately about telling compelling stories and crafting captivating narratives. Living life one PCS at a time, she’s travel schooling her children while tackling careers in the nonprofit and environmental sector all as military life allows.

Featured In: Samantha’s writing has been featured in We Are The Mighty, Military Families Magazine, InDependent, Reserve + National Guard Magazine, and other publications.

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Posted In: Military Careers PCS

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First Duty and Future Assignments in the Military

There are circumstances where military members can request assignment

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Future Assignments

Follow-on assignment, hardship assignments, joint spouse assignments, permissive reassignments, base of preference, travel entitlements, privately owned vehicle shipment.

Rod Powers was a retired Air Force First Sergeant with 22 years of active duty service.

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First duty station selection is made (in either basic training or technical school/AIT/A-School), based ​upon your preferences, and the needs of the service. While the services will consider your preferences, the overriding deciding factor is where the military needs you the most.

Some Navy jobs  allow your assignment to be based on your class-standing in "A-School." And of course, it goes without saying that assignments are based on valid vacancies. If you have the job of tank-fixer, you're only going to be assigned to bases that have tanks to fix.

After the first duty assignment, subsequent assignments are done a little differently. In most cases, you'll have a little more say in future assignments, than you have for the first duty assignment . There are a few restrictions, however.

First-term (those in their first enlistment ) enlisted members assigned to a continental (CONUS) U.S. location must have 12 months time-on-station before being eligible to move to an overseas location and must have 24 months time-on-station before being allowed to move to another continental U.S. location.

Career (those who have re-enlisted at least once) enlisted members assigned to the continental U.S. must have 24 months time-on-station to move to an overseas location and must have 36 months time-on-station in order to move to another continental U.S. location.

The length of time one spends on an overseas tour depends on the location. For example, most of Europe and Japan are considered standard overseas tours. The length of the assignment is 24 months for single people, or those with dependents who elect not to bring their dependents, and 36 months for those who bring their dependents.

Another type of overseas assignment, like most assignments to Korea, is considered remote. On a remote tour one cannot bring their family at government expense, and the tour-length is 12 months. On the other hand, those returning from a remote tour usually get assignment preference over those returning from a standard tour.

For standard overseas tours, one can generally increase his or her chances of being selected by volunteering for the extended tour length. This is the standard tour, plus 12 months.

Of course, one can be involuntarily assigned overseas as well. In general, this is done based on the military member's last overseas return date. 

A follow-on assignment is an assignment after a remote tour. Those with orders for a remote tour can apply for their next assignment before they even depart to the remote tour.

When is assigned to a 12-month remote tour, military members can move their dependents anywhere they want to live in the United States, at government expense, while the member is away. The government must then pay again to relocate the dependents from where they are living to the new assignment when the member returns from the remote tour. Single people, even though they don't have dependents can use the follow-on program, as well.

It's important not to confuse assignments with deployments , which are of course based on many factors such as geopolitical situations and the need for U.S. military troops around the world. 

Each of the services also has procedures for hardship assignments. This allows a military member to apply for reassignment to a specific area/base, due to a valid family hardship. The military's definition of hardship is when there are extreme family problems such as illness, death, or extremely unusual circumstances that are temporary in nature and the specific circumstances necessitate the military member's presence.

If the problem is not one that can be resolved within one year, a  hardship discharge  will be considered, rather than a hardship assignment.

When one military member is married to another military member, both must apply to be assigned together. This is called a joint spouse assignment. The military will try to assign spouses together, but there are no guarantees. The success rate for joint spouse assignments is about 85 percent.

Joint spouse assignments are obviously much easier to accommodate if both spouses are in the same branch of the military. 

A permissive reassignment is one that doesn't cost the government any money. Most permissive reassignments are in the form of swaps, which is when one military member finds another with the same rank and job, currently assigned (or with orders) to a base they want to go to.

Both members who agree to swap must pay for their own move. This includes shipment of personal property. Usually, military personnel offices maintain lists of military people worldwide who are looking to swap. In order to be eligible for a swap, one must have the required time-on-station mentioned above. In other words, a first-termer must have 24 months time-on-station to swap with someone at another continental U.S. location.

Before a military member re-enlists, he can apply to move to a base of his choice. The military, of course, wants this person to re-enlist, so they try to accommodate such base of preference requests. If approved, the member must then re-enlist to accept the assignment. 

When you graduate technical school, the military will pay the authorized costs for you to go to your next duty assignment or, to the port of your military flight for overseas assignments. 

The military does not pay you for travel on leave. They pay you for direct travel from your old duty assignment to your next duty assignment. If you travel home on leave, any additional cost is out of your pocket.

If you own a vehicle and get an overseas assignment, the military will either ship the vehicle for you or store it while you are away. 

Some locations don't allow the shipping of a personal vehicle and others restrict this privilege to certain ranks. In these cases, the military will store the vehicle for you for free while you are assigned overseas.

The military will pay to move your personal property from your home location to your first permanent duty station, or, you can rent a truck, move it yourself. In such cases, the military will reimburse you a portion of what it would have paid a contractor to move the vehicle.

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