[Coast Guard Payment for Meals and Refreshments Provided at Required Training Conference]

The Coast Guard requested a decision regarding payment for meals and refreshments provided to its civilian employees and uniformed service members at a required training conference. GAO held that: (1) meals and refreshments were necessary training expenses, since they were an integral part of the training; and (2) the Coast Guard should reduce the amounts specified for each meal furnished to employees and members in travel status to the fixed per-diem rate. Accordingly, the Coast Guard should make payment for the meals and refreshments.