Can an Army unit decide to do away with per diem? Is there any army reg for this?

Question

Army unit are talking about deleting per diem for soldiers. Statement is that it is "costing too much money" but yet have not provided on base housing for reservist/Natl Guard for the mobilization. Of course it would be more costly putting soldiers up in hotels. Duh!

Answer 1

If they provide you with food and shelter, they can put you on TCS orders and not give you per diem.

Answer 2

As a former 11 year Army Officer I would answer with the following explaination:
Per Diem is issued when you are on Temporary Duty Assignment (or TDY) and there are no mess facilities or barracks available for the soldier. Actually, Per Diem is the exception not the rule. The only time that per deim is granted for family members (or dependants in Military jargon) is when the soldier is changing duty stations and accompanied by his/her family on the move. As far as I know, reservists and NG are not entilited to housing on regular duty posts (this would be considered TDY for the soldier and dependents do not go on TDY with service members).
The specific answer to your question is that it would not be the unit commander's call to delete Per Diem, but rather it would be his/her call to entitle or authorize it to the soldier.

Answer 3

if they have the housing to put soldiers up, yes they can get away with not issuing per diem