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FAQ | Jan. 27, 2025

Meal Rates

Effective January 1, 2025,through December 31, 2025, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) set the Government meal rate at $17.60. This rate applies to both Service members and civilian employees, and both in the CONUS and in the OCONUS. See the breakdown in the table on the Meal Ratespage.

The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) reviews and revises the rate, if necessary, every year. The rates in the table are effective from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.

Yes, the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) increasedthe 2024 standard Government meal rate from $17.40 to $17.60 for the 2025 calendar year. See the table above for the breakdown of individual meal rates and surcharges.

See Appendix A for the definition of Government meal rate, and JTR, Table 2-17 for a description of the types of meal rates.

For more information on the Government meal rate and previous rates, see the DoD Financial Management Regulation and the OUSD Comptroller website.

Effective 1 October 2008, the meal rate for cadets and midshipmen is equivalent to the Enlisted Basic Allowance for Subsistence rate.