What is considered TDY in the Air Force?

SSgt Ryan Jones — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 11:05:59 -0400

I am prior service going into the Air Force. I leave for my tech school in a week. Will I be considered TDY? If so will I be getting per diem?

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Oct 3 at 2016 11:17 AM

MSgt Michael Smith — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 11:17:47 -0400

Depends on your orders. If your orders say "Gvt Meals are not available" then you will receive full per diem. If they say "Partial Means are available" then you will get some per diem. If they "all meals are available" then you will get only the IE portion of the per diem which is like $7 per day. For lodging, if you are in the dorms, then you will get no lodging money. If you are off-base then you will get full meals and lodging per your charges. If you are in base lodging then you will get the lodging costs there. So it depends...

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Oct 3 at 2016 11:47 AM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 11:47:58 -0400

It will depend on the length of the school but I would say generally, NO.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2016 6:40 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 18:40:41 -0400

I thought in the Air Force you were considered TDY and drew per diem if you had to leave your office and go to the building next door. ;)

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Oct 3 at 2016 7:10 PM

SFC Joseph Weber — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 19:10:09 -0400

Waking up in the morning.

I should adjust that. If you sleep past noon you only get the partial TDY rate.

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2016 6:30 AM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 06:30:35 -0400

Tech school is a PCS, not TDY

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2016 9:07 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 09:07:25 -0400

Have you spoken to your training manager (the person who made the arrangements for your technical training)? They would have the definitive answers regarding your TDY status, per diem rate, etc. Also, did you use the Defense Travel System to create travel orders? Your projected expenses can be seen there as well.

Response by Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin made Oct 4 at 2016 9:30 AM

Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 09:30:40 -0400

Yes you will be TDY and per diem depends on whether you're billeted on base and whether meals are provided (i.e. Dining Hall).

Response by TSgt Franklin Tiller made Oct 4 at 2016 10:07 AM

TSgt Franklin Tiller — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 10:07:56 -0400

Tech school is considered a PCS assignment unless you already have a PCS assignment then would be considered TDY. At least that is the way it was when I severed over 20 years ago.

Response by TSgt Sean LaPlante made Oct 4 at 2016 9:21 PM

TSgt Sean LaPlante — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 21:21:30 -0400

I'm prior Army & did the same thing, joined the AF. However as this is your first time, if I remember correctly it's not really a TDY. I do wish you the best of luck. I'm retired now.

Response by SrA Ray Buccelli made Oct 5 at 2016 9:56 PM

SrA Ray Buccelli — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 21:56:31 -0400

No per diem. Just active duty pay.

Response by SSgt Bryan Rollin made Nov 19 at 2016 11:00 AM

SSgt Bryan Rollin — Sat, 19 Nov 2016 11:00:21 -0500

But it was been 30 years ago that I went to Tech School.

Response by SSgt Gary Carnie made Nov 25 at 2016 2:45 PM

SSgt Gary Carnie — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 14:45:35 -0500

In my day you had to be permanently assigned to a base. If you are then sent for training then that is a TDY. If you have not been assigned to a base then it is not a TDY.

Response by SrA Blake Johnson made Sep 22 at 2018 9:20 AM

SrA Blake Johnson — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 09:20:37 -0400

Did you get TDY money?