Travel and transportation allowances: dependents; baggage and household effects

§ 406. Travel and transportation allowances: dependents; baggage and household effects (a) A member of a uniformed service who is ordered to make a change of permanent station is entitled to transportation in kind for his dependents, to reimbursement therefor, or to a monetary allowance in place of that transportation in kind at a rate to be prescribed, but not more than the rate authorized under section 404(d) of this title. (b) In connection with a temporary or permanent change of station, a member is entitled to transportation (including packing, crating, drayage, temporary storage, and unpacking) of baggage and household effects, or reimbursement therefor, within such weight allowances prescribed by the Secretaries concerned, without regard to the comparative costs of the various modes of transportation. (c) The allowances and transportation authorized by subsections (a) and (b) of this section are in addition to those authorized by sections 404 and 405 of this title and are— (1) subject to such conditions and limitations; (2) for such grades, ranks, and ratings; and (3) to and from such places; prescribed by the Secretaries concerned. Transportation of the household effects of a member may not be made by commercial air carrier at an estimated over-all cost that is more than the estimated over-all cost of the transportation thereof by other means, unless an appropriate transportation officer has certified in writing to his commanding officer that those household effects to be so transported are necessary for use in carrying out assigned duties, or are necessary to prevent undue hardship and other means of transportation will not fill those needs. However, not more than 1,000 pounds of unaccompanied baggage may be transported by commercial air carrier, without regard to the preceding sentence, under regulations prescribed under the authority of the Secretary of Defense. (d) The non temporary storage of baggage and household effects may be authorized in facilities of the United States, or in commercial facilities when it is considered to be more economical to the United States. However, the weight of baggage and household effects stored, plus the weight of the baggage and household effects transported, in connection with a change of station may not be more than the maximum weight limitations in regulations prescribed by the Secretaries concerned when it is not otherwise fixed by law. The nontemporary storage of baggage and household effects may not be authorized for a period longer than one year from the date the member concerned is separated from the service, except as prescribed in regulations by the Secretaries concerned for a member who, on the date of his separation, is confined in a hospital, or is in its vicinity, undergoing medical treatment. (e) When orders directing a change of permanent station for the member concerned have not been issued, or when they have been 76 Stat. 474issued but cannot be used as authority for the transportation of his dependents, baggage, and household effects, the Secretaries concerned may authorize the movement of the dependents, baggage, and household effects and prescribe transportation in kind, reimbursement therefor, or a monetary allowance in place thereof, as the case may be, as authorized under subsection (a) or (b) of this section. This subsection may be used only under unusual or emergency circumstances, including those in which— (1) the member is performing duty at a place designated by the Secretary concerned as being within a zone from which dependents should be evacuated; (2) orders which direct the member’s travel in connection with temporary duty do not provide for return to the permanent station or do not specify or imply any limit to the period of absence from his permanent station; or (3) the member is serving on permanent duty at a station outside the United States, in Hawaii or Alaska, or on sea duty. (f) Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary concerned, transportation for dependents, baggage, and household effects of a member is authorized if he dies while entitled to basic pay under chapter 3 of this title. (g) Under uniform regulations prescribed by the Secretaries concerned, a member who— (1) is retired, or placed on the temporary disability retired list, under chapter 61 of title 10; or (2) is retired with pay under any other law, or, immediately following at least eight years of continuous active duty with no single break therein of more than 90 days, is discharged with severance pay or is involuntarily released from active duty with readjustment pay; is entitled to transportation for his dependents, baggage, and household effects to the home selected under section 404(c) of this title. In addition, baggage and household effects may be shipped to a location other than the home selected by the member. In any case in which the costs are in excess of those which would have been incurred if shipment had been made to his selected home, the member shall pay that excess cost. If a member authorized to select a home under section 404 (c) of this title accrues that right or any entitlement under this subsection but dies before he exercises it, that right or entitlement accrues to and may be exercised by his surviving dependents, or his baggage and household effects may be shipped to the home of the person legally entitled thereto if there are no surviving dependents. However, in any case in which the costs are in excess of those which would have been incurred if shipment had been made to the members’ selected home, the surviving dependents or the person legally entitled to the baggage and household effects, as the case may be, shall pay that excess cost.