An update to the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) has reduced travel burdens for former Service members and will save tax dollars on relocation expenses. As of March 12, 2025, a Service member separating or retiring from their military service in a non-foreign location outside of the United States (OCONUS) and appointed to a civilian position at that same location, may negotiate a service agreement. This update allows Service members retiring or separating in places such as Guam or Hawaii to be granted permanent change of station allowances (and may maintain their military return rights) until their employment in the civilian role has ended.
Without a service agreement, a Service member separating or retiring from a non-foreign OCONUS location would be required to return to their home of record or home of selection location before appointment to a civilian position in the non-foreign OCONUS area. The Government would then need to pay for their return to the non-foreign OCONUS location to begin work as a civilian.
To be eligible, the Service member must be separated or retired in the non-foreign OCONUS location, and the appointment must be to a vacant, appropriated-fund civilian position which normally authorizes relocation allowances.
A similar policy has been in place for foreign OCONUS locations; mirroring this policy vastly improves Government efficiency by eliminating two permanent change of station trips and helps address the challenge of finding qualified civilians for employment in non-foreign OCONUS roles.