[Request for Advance Decision on Military Officer's Entitlement to Dislocation Allowance]

An advance decision was requested as to the entitlement of a Marine Corps officer to a dislocation allowance at the without-dependent rate in connection with his permanent change of station from a restricted area to a duty station in the vicinity of his family residence. When the officer was ordered to perform an unaccompanied tour of duty overseas, he moved his family to a residence near the base, where they resided while he served his tour of duty. He was paid a dislocation allowance at the with-dependents rate for that move. At the end of his tour of duty, the officer was transferred to the base and, since he was not assigned government quarters, he assumed residence with his dependents. GAO was asked whether the officer was entitled to a dislocation allowance at the without-dependents rate since he received such an allowance at the with-dependents rate when he moved them in connection with his overseas assignment. GAO stated that a member who is not entitled to transportation of dependents in connection with a permanent change of station is considered a member without dependents. Furthermore, a member is entitled to a dislocation allowance when he has a permanent change of station to a location where he is not assigned government quarters. The fact that the member received a with-dependents dislocation allowance when he moved his family in connection with his unaccompanied tour of duty overseas did not negate his present entitlement. Accordingly, GAO found that payment to the officer of a dislocation allowance at the without-dependents rate was authorized, if otherwise correct.