Following orders is part of the job description for all members of the military. The United States military provides different types of military orders to personnel. Military orders can impact your duty location, pay, and duration.
There are three primary types of orders the US military typically issues. These include a permanent change of station, temporary duty (TDY), and deployment orders.
It isn’t uncommon for military members to receive TDY assignments. The military typically deploys members to a permanent station for a specific operation. In contrast, TDY is a temporary duty assignment that’s not part of combat operations.
TDY Assignments vs. Permanent Change of Stations
TDY assignments differ from a permanent change of stations. One of the most notable differences is the duration. A permanent change of station typically requires military members to be deployed and stationed for one to two years. On the other hand, most TDY assignments only last for a few months, making them the preferred choice for most armed forces members.
Most TDY assignments include training or meetings. The military will often assign TDY assignments to soldiers to train them. These assignments are specialized training assignments where soldiers travel to another location for a few months for training.
The military reveals specific details of TDY assignments with each commitment. Most TDY assignments don’t last more than 180 days. The specifics of a TDY assignment detail your travel allowance, coverage of expenses, housing and food support, length of deployment, and other relevant items.
Housing for Personnel on TDY Assignments
Military lodgings are available for personnel on TDY assignments. Military members on TDY assignments can stay on-base or off-base in a FEMA-approved accommodation. The military provides housing allowances to personnel on TDY duty. Most housing allowances are per diem. Staying in a military installation typically involves allocating the entirety of your housing allowance to the private contractor operating on-base facilities.
However, for members interested in making the most of their per diem allowance, there are alternatives available.
Making the Most of Your Housing Allowance
The United States General Services Administration has an excellent tool for finding lodging and determining per diem rates. Your military standing rank can impact your housing allowance. For those members who’re looking to utilize their housing allowance to the fullest, alternative TDY housing options are available. Many military personnel choose to stay in crash pad rentals to save a sizable portion of their housing allowance.
Finding a TDY Accommodation
Since most TDY assignments are short-term, finding an accommodation off-base could be beneficial, especially if you’re looking to save money. Freedom TDY Crashpad offers affordable military lodging near Randolph, AFB. We specialize in providing comfortable and reliable housing to temporary duty members and work hard to ensure your off-base lodging is a memorable and hassle-free experience.
We are an off-base TDY military housing facility run and operated by husband and wife, both active-duty military members. Contact us today for your lodging needs.
