4 FAM 800
MISCELLANEOUS FINANCIAL ISSUES
MARINE SECURITY GUARD PAYMENT POLICY
(CT:FIN-507; 05-15-2025)
(Office of Origin: CGFS/FPRA/FP)
4 FAM 811 SCOPE AND AUTHORITY
(CT:FIN-507; 05-15-2025)
a. Under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 5983, at the request of the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Navy may assign enlisted members of the naval service to serve as custodians under the supervision of the principal officer at any embassy, legation, or consulate. This section of the FAM provides administrative and operational policy guidelines for using Marine Corps personnel assigned to the Foreign Service (see 12 FAM 430, Marine Security Guard Program). The specific guidelines for operating the Marine Security Guard (MSG) Program are based on the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Department of State and the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC).
b. The Department of State assumes disbursing responsibility for specific Department of State payments to Marine personnel. All payments are subject to the same Department of State provisions in the FAM, the FAH, the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), as well as any specific instructions of the Department.
4 FAM 812 GENERAL POLICY
4 FAM 812.1 Applicability
(CT:FIN-507; 05-15-2025)
The regulations and procedures in the subchapter are applicable only for payments to Marine Corps personnel assigned to Department of State Foreign Service posts as MSGs, region headquarters Marine personnel, and detachment commanders in charge of MSG guards (see DOS-USMC MOA - Annex A).
4 FAM 812.2 Disbursing Responsibility
4 FAM 812.2-1 Department of State
(CT:FIN-507; 05-15-2025)
a. Payments to MSGs for allowances, medical, international travel and transportation expenses, language training, and certain miscellaneous expenses incurred on their behalf that are chargeable to Department of State funds are made by U.S. disbursing officers (USDOs) or by cashiers at posts, if so authorized.
b. The USDO may make payments to MSGs that are chargeable to:
(1) Navy funds for assignment travel, transportation expenses, and other authorized expenses; and
(2) Marine Corps funds for the following other entitlements:
(a) Liquidation of temporary additional duty;
(b) Dislocation allowances;
(c) As specifically provided; or
(d) Other authorized expenses.
c. The USDO will maintain separate accounts for the Department of the Navy and the Marine Corps. Other agency accounts should be maintained in accordance with procedures in 4 FAM 030.
4 FAM 812.2-2 Department of Defense
(CT:FIN-507; 05-15-2025)
a. Payment of expenses chargeable to the Marine Corps and the Department of the Navy are subject to the JTR, the Department of Defense Financial Management Regulation (DoD FMR) and/or the Navy Comptroller Manual. Obtain these references from the Department of Defense.
b. The following items are chargeable to Department of Defense funds and should be directed to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Cleveland Center, Cleveland, Ohio:
(1) Pay, allowances, travel per diem expenses, and travel costs for commissioned officers and their dependents;
(2) All enlisted Marines’ basic pay, foreign shore pay, separation or combat pay, when authorized, and uniform maintenance;
(3) Basic subsistence and cost-of-living allowances for all Marines assigned to post; and
(4) Cost of schooling for dependent minor children of all Marine Corps personnel (paid by the Department of Defense Educational Activity (DoDEA)).
NOTE: See 4 FAM 815 for detailed expenses chargeable to Marine Corps appropriations.
4 FAM 812.3 Changes in Payments, Policy and Procedures
4 FAM 812.3-1 Routine Changes
(CT:FIN-367; 12-07-2004)
The Marine Corps or Department of the Navy, via the detachment commander, will communicate with Foreign Service posts regarding routine changes in pay and dependency that affect allowances funded with military appropriations.
4 FAM 812.3-2 Policy and Procedures
(CT:FIN-507; 05-15-2025)
DS/OPO/FPD/MSG manages and directs the MSG program for the Department and coordinates matters concerning policy and procedures between the Department and the Marine Corps (see 12 FAM 430).
4 FAM 812.4 Frequency of Payments
(CT:FIN-507; 05-15-2025)
Payments to MSGs for station/location allowances are normally made semi-monthly.
4 FAM 813 EXPENSES CHARGEABLE TO DEPARTMENT OF STATE ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT FUNDS
4 FAM 813.1 Quarters, Subsistence, and Allowances Overseas
4 FAM 813.1-1 Quarters
(CT:FIN-507; 05-15-2025)
a. The Department will fund and provide fully furnished U.S. Government-owned or -leased quarters for all single enlisted Marines. Single enlisted Marines within detachments will normally be quartered together in a fully furnished MSG residence for which the Department will fund all expenses, to include utilities, maintenance, and supplies and equipment in accordance with 15 FAM 248 (see also 12 FAM 436.3).
b. The Department will provide separate, fully furnished U.S. Government-owned or -leased housing for:
(1) Detachment commanders;
(2) Staff noncommissioned officers in positions designated as deputy detachment commanders in the annual DS/OPO/FPD/MSG Authorized Staffing Levels;
(3) Region commanders; and
(4) Region Headquarters personnel, when available.
c. All housing for MSG program personnel is provided in accordance with 12 FAM 436.3.
4 FAM 813.1-2 Subsistence
(CT:FIN-507; 05-15-2025)
Based upon the Memorandum of Agreement, the USMC will provide for the basic allowance for subsistence for all Marines assigned to post, except where access to a DoD Dining Facility is authorized and accessible.
4 FAM 813.1-3 Allowances
(CT:FIN-507; 05-15-2025)
a. The USMC pays Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to officers and enlisted personnel without dependents and married personnel with dependents where Government-owned or -leased quarters are not provided (see 12 FAM 436.3).
b. Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) is paid by the USMC for all enlisted personnel without accompanying dependents. Payment of BAS is as authorized in the DoD FMR.
c. The USMC pays Overseas Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA) to all Marine personnel (see DoD FMR, Volume 7A, Chapters 67 and 68).
d. The USMC pays Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) to each Marine as authorized (see DoD FMR, Volume 7A, Chapter 68 and 12 FAM 430).
e. The USMC pays for Temporary Lodging Allowances (Overseas Housing Allowances or TLAs) to a Marine required to procure non-Government quarters before arrival of dependents (see DoD FMR, Volume 7A, Chapter 26 and 12 FAM 430).
4 FAM 813.2 Travel/Transportation Expenses
(CT:FIN-507; 05-15-2025)
a. Temporary duty assignments for other than Marine Corps matters (see 4 FAM 815.4 b) are chargeable to the Department, as directed by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) (see 12 FAM 436.4).
b. Travel, transportation, and per diem authorized and necessary for the medical and dental care of Marines, and authorized travel expenses for required attendants, are chargeable to the Bureau of Medical Services (MED). This includes required travel and expenses to CONUS (Continental United States). For authorized dependents, only travel and transportation are authorized (no per diem).
c. When the provisions of paragraph b, above, concern obstetrical delivery, the return travel of newborn dependents is chargeable to the post, subject to reimbursement from DS/OPO/FPD/MSG.
d. Emergency evacuation travel, as described in the Department of State Standardized Regulations, Chapter 600, including transporting emergency personal effects and allowances for Marines and their dependents while in route to, at, and returning from the temporary location (safe haven) or designated place, is chargeable directly to the Department.
4 FAM 813.3 Miscellaneous Expenses
(CT:FIN-507; 05-15-2025)
a. Normally, U.S. Government-owned or -leased quarters are provided for MSGs (see 12 FAM 436.3 and 15 FAM 248), which are fully furnished including any utilities, water, and fuel. When this is not possible, housing allowances are authorized and paid as outlined in 4 FAM 813.1 above.
b. When post-provided transportation is unavailable, post reimburses enlisted personnel for local transportation expenses necessary to:
(1) Perform official duties;
(2) Participate in detachment recreation, or training; or
(3) Commute between their residence and a duty assignment.
c. The post pays initial installation and basic charges for telephones in Government-held quarters. Using such telephones is limited to official calls only. The individual Marine bears the expense of personal calls.
4 FAM 813.4 Marine Office Expenses
(CT:FIN-507; 05-15-2025)
Expenses related to office space, equipment, furnishings, and supplies are paid as provided in 12 FAM 436.2.
4 FAM 814 EXPENSES CHARGEABLE TO DEPARTMENT OF NAVY FUNDS
(CT:FIN-507; 05-15-2025)
Hospitalization, dental, and medical expenses, other than travel and transportation expenses, of Marine Corps officers, enlisted personnel, and dependents are charged to Tricare via International SOS Assistance, Inc.
4 FAM 815 EXPENSES CHARGEABLE TO MARINE CORPS FUNDS
(CT:FIN-367; 12-07-2004)
4 FAM 815.1 Officer Personnel
(CT:FIN-507; 05-15-2025)
All entitlements of Marine Corps officer personnel or their dependents, except for assigned U.S. Government housing and/or quarters allowance, and all other authorized expenses are chargeable to the Marine Corps. Tuition costs for dependent minor children of officer personnel are paid by DoDEA.
4 FAM 815.2 Enlisted Personnel
(CT:FIN-507; 05-15-2025)
Entitlements of enlisted Marine Corps personnel and their dependents, including basic pay, reenlistment bonus, uniform clothing maintenance allowance, and basic allowance for subsistence, and transportation costs of household effects are chargeable to Marine Corps funds in accordance with current Marine Corps directives. Tuition costs for dependent minor children of enlisted personnel are paid by DoDEA.
4 FAM 815.3 Station Cost-of-Living Allowances
(CT:FIN-507; 05-15-2025)
The Marine Corps will assume the obligation for the payment of COLA, as authorized in DoD FMR, Volume 7A, Chapter 68, for all Marine Corps personnel.
4 FAM 815.4 Travel and Transportation
(CT:FIN-507; 05-15-2025)
a. The following are chargeable directly to the Marine Corps:
(1) Travel and transportation expenses for assignment and transfer of Marine Corps personnel;
(2) Travel by Government air to port of entry of the United States for the emergency leave of Marine Corps personnel;
(3) All other travel and transportation of dependents, including newborn dependents, except as otherwise funded under the provisions of 4 FAM 813.2; and
(4) Travel expenses for spouse orientation training (see 12 FAM 436.4 regarding reimbursement through DS).
b. Temporary duty and per diem of MSGs for Marine Corps matters or Region Headquarters personnel for inspections are chargeable to the Department of Defense appropriation “Operation & Maintenance-Marine Corps.”
4 FAM 815.5 Civilian Clothing Allowances
(CT:FIN-507; 05-15-2025)
Any allowances for civilian clothing are chargeable to the Marine Corps. The Department, through DS/OPO/FPD/MSG, reimburses the Marine Corps at the headquarters level (see 12 FAM 433.6).
4 FAM 815.6 Assignment and Transfer Travel
(CT:FIN-507; 05-15-2025)
Assignment and transfer travel and transportation expenses of Marine personnel are chargeable directly to Marine Corps appropriations.
4 FAM 816 VOUCHERING PROCEDURES
4 FAM 816.1 Department of State Funds
(CT:FIN-367; 12-07-2004)
Allowances and expenses chargeable to Department of State funds are vouchered, documented, and paid in accordance with 4 FAM 400.
4 FAM 816.2 Department of Navy or Marine Corps Funds
(CT:FIN-507; 05-15-2025)
Pay, allowances, and expenses chargeable to Department of Navy or Marine Corps funds are vouchered in accordance with the Navy Comptroller Manual and JTR. The Marine Corps is responsible for paying.
4 FAM 816.3 Travel Claims
(CT:FIN-507; 05-15-2025)
Claims for reimbursement of travel expenses are processed according to 4 FAM 400 and 12 FAM 436.4 and are examined before payment to determine that:
(1) The expenses incurred and claimed were authorized by the applicable travel authorization and are proper according to the JTR;
(2) Specific information on the type and mode of transportation (commercial or Government air, etc.) is provided with complete data related to the transportation requests (TRs) when commercial transportation (TR numbers, value of tickets, etc.) is used;
(3) The voucher contains a statement whether Government meals or quarters were furnished;
(4) Unused tickets, transfer orders, etc., for transportation and accommodations are detached from the voucher and processed for refund (see 4 FAM 400); and
(5) Whenever per diem is claimed for delays en route while awaiting air transportation, the claim is supported by a certification by either an Air Mobility Command officer or an airline official, as appropriate.
4 FAM 817 THROUGH 819 UNASSIGNED