To qualify for the reimbursement, service members must claim it while filling out their PCS voucher once their move is complete. Image: Ratchat/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffService members who are breast-feeding children up to 12 months old are now entitled to up to $1,000 to reimburse expenses associated with shipping breast milk to new duty stations during permanent change of station (PCS) moves. Previously, service members had to meet these costs out-of-pocket.
“The fact is that this milk must be stored in a cold environment, and service members are having to purchase things like ice and dry ice to keep the milk frozen or cool,” said Christopher woods, the policy branch chief for the Defense Travel Management Office.
While the change covers a good portion of associated expenses, it is not all-inclusive. For instance, packaging and shipping containers are not, by law, reimbursable.
To qualify for the reimbursement, service members must claim it while filling out their PCS voucher once their move is complete. They would need to provide all relevant receipts.
The Pentagon stated that the change is just one aspect of Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III’s initiative to improve quality of life for service members and their families.
“We’ve made taking care of our people one of our major initiatives,” Wood said. “This policy change supports two [such] objectives – making moves easier and supporting families.”
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