R 211210Z JUL 25 MARADMIN 343/25 MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP MPO// SUBJ/CHANGE IN POLICY REGARDING TOUR CONVERSION// REF/A/MSGID: DOC/DODI 1315.18/24JUN19// REF/B/MSGID: DOC/JTR/1MAY25// REF/C/MSGID: DOC/MCO/1300.8/10MAY21// NARR/REF A IS DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INSTRUCTION PROCEDURES FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL ASSIGNMENTS. REF B IS THE JOINT TRAVEL REGULATIONS (JTR). REF C IS THE MARINE CORPS ORDER PERSONNEL ASSIGNMENT POLICY POC/OPR IS MRA MPO/EMAIL: [email protected]/TEL: 703-784-9371/ POC/OCR IS MRA MMIB-3/EMAIL: [email protected]/TEL: 703-784-9236// GENTEX/REMARK/1. Purpose. To announce a policy change for Marines converting from unaccompanied to accompanied overseas tour, aligning with reference (a). 2. Policy Change. Effective immediately, remove the following sentences from reference (c), paragraph 9.e.(1)(a): "The new tour length commences upon CMC approval of the new election," and paragraph 9.e.(1)(d): "The effective date of the tour conversion is the date that CMC (MMOA/MMEA/RAM), approves the request. These sentences are replaced with: "Marines reuniting with or acquiring dependents while assigned overseas must be approved to serve the accompanied tour to obtain command sponsorship for their dependents." 3. Eligibility. Marines are eligible for a tour conversion without Rotation Tour Date (RTD) reset if they meet these criteria: 3.a. Time on Station. Minimum 12 months remaining on station after command sponsorship approval or dependent arrival, whichever is later. If this is unmet, Marines must request additional time. 3.b. Obligated Service. Enlisted Marines must have sufficient obligated service to complete the accompanied tour and meet the 12-month time on station requirement. Enlisted Marines without sufficient obligated service must gain further service to be eligible for a tour conversion. Officers and career-designated enlisted Marines with conflicting mandatory retirement/separation dates are ineligible. 4. Dependent Travel: 4.a. Initial Assignment with Dependents. Marines with dependents at the start of an OCONUS assignment converting their tour will use their original travel entitlements. However, if those entitlements, including Household Goods (HHG), were previously used to relocate dependents to a "designated place" (a location chosen for dependent relocation using government-funded travel during a dependent-restricted/unaccompanied tour), no additional entitlements are authorized for relocation to the OCONUS location. Contact MMIB-3 with PCS travel questions. 4.b. In-Place Consecutive Overseas Tours (IPCOT): Marines approved for In-Place Consecutive Overseas Tours (IPCOT) receive new dependent travel entitlements from their previous duty station, designated place, or previously approved dependent location (MMIB-3 provides accounting lines upon request). Dependents may travel only after IPCOT orders are issued, Overseas Suitability Screening (OSS) is complete, and command sponsorship is approved. Advanced Family Member Travel approval from MMIB-3 is not required for base housing or overseas housing allowance eligibility. Travel, transportation, and HHG shipment are not authorized if dependents reside within daily commuting distance of the OCONUS PDS. 4.c. Acquired Dependents: Marines acquiring dependents after beginning an OCONUS assignment (classified as "acquired dependents" per references (a) and (b)) are financially responsible for all costs associated with relocating them. However, Marines approved for IPCOT, per paragraph 4.b, are authorized dependent travel entitlements. 5. Tour Conversion Scenarios: 5.a Scenario 1—Marine with dependents initially elects to serve a 24-month unaccompanied OCONUS tour but desires to bring dependents overseas after 18 months. Example location: 24-month unaccompanied, 36-month accompanied tour. 5.a.1. Option 1—Tour Conversion: Upon approval, RTD adjusts to 36 months from the Marine's original arrival date (18 months credited). Dependents must pass OSS before command sponsorship; dependent travel per paragraph 4.a. No IPCOT or Overseas Tour Extension Incentive Program (OTEIP) incentives authorized. 5.a.2. Option 2—IPCOT: Upon approval, the Marine starts a new 36-month accompanied tour after the initial 24-month unaccompanied tour (60 months total). The Marine (not the dependents) receives the IPCOT travel incentive after the initial tour; dependent travel per paragraph 4.b. Dependents must pass OSS before command sponsorship. 5.b. Scenario 2— Dependents Acquired. Marine initially without dependents receives 24-month unaccompanied OCONUS orders. While serving, the Marine acquires a dependent after 18 months and desires to bring them to the OCONUS PDS with command sponsorship. 5.b.1. Option 1—Tour Conversion: Upon approval, RTD adjusts to 36 months from the Marine's original arrival date (18 months credited), requiring an additional 18 months to be served. Total overseas tour: 36 months. No IPCOT or OTEIP incentives authorized. Dependent travel (if not near PDS) per paragraph 4.c. Dependents must pass OSS before command sponsorship. 5.b.2. Option 2—IPCOT: Upon approval, the Marine starts a new 36-month accompanied tour after the initial 24-month unaccompanied tour (60 months total). The Marine (not the dependents) receives the IPCOT travel incentive after the initial tour; dependent travel per paragraph 4.b. Dependents must pass OSS before command sponsorship. 5.c. Scenario 3—Dependents Acquired with Exception to Policy (ETP): Marine initially without dependents receives 36-month unaccompanied OCONUS orders (ETP to reference (a) like Okinawa). While serving, the Marine acquires a dependent after 18 months and desires to bring them to the OCONUS PDS with command sponsorship. 5.c.1. Option 1—Tour Conversion: Upon approval, RTD remains unchanged unless dependent arrival leaves less than 12 months on station. No IPCOT or OTEIP incentives authorized. If dependents are near the PDS, command sponsorship can be approved after tour conversion and OSS approval; dependent travel (if not near PDS) per paragraph 4.c. 5.c.2. Option 2—IPCOT: Upon approval, the Marine starts a new 36-month accompanied tour after the initial 36-month unaccompanied tour (72 months total). The Marine (not the dependents) receives the IPCOT travel incentive after the initial tour; dependent travel per paragraph 4.b. Dependents must pass OSS before command sponsorship. 6. Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Family Separation Entitlement: Marines who convert an unaccompanied tour to an accompanied tour remain eligible for BAH and, if applicable, Family Separation Allowance (FSA) for 60 days, beginning on the approval date of the tour conversion. 7. This policy change is not retroactive. All existing agreements, tour conversion agreements, COTs, overseas extensions, and RTD adjustments, remain in effect. 8. This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force. 9. Release authorized by Lieutenant General Michael J. Borgschulte, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. //