TDY

TDY stands for Temporary Duty, a term used in the United States military and in some civilian government and contractor contexts to describe a temporary assignment away from a service member’s or employee’s permanent duty station. A TDY is for official duties and is not the same as a permanent transfer (PCS) or a deployment. It covers activities such as training, inspections, briefings, meetings, and joint exercises conducted at a different location.

Authorization for a TDY is issued through travel orders or official authorization that specifies the destination, start and end dates, purpose, and any special instructions. Funding and allowances for TDY follow applicable travel regulations and typically cover transportation, lodging, meals, and incidental expenses. Per diem rates and lodging arrangements are often location-based and may be provided directly by the government or reimbursed afterwards, depending on the agency or service.

TDY durations vary from a few days to several weeks or months, depending on mission requirements. Longer TDYs may be extended with additional orders, or in some cases may lead to other administrative actions such as a PCS. Upon completion, personnel return to their home organization and complete any required reporting or debriefing.

The TDY process can affect pay and leave accounting, and policies vary by service branch, agency, and country. Common examples include domestic training exercises, overseas staff visits, or temporary assignments to a different office to support a project. TDY is designed to fulfill short-term operational needs without changing long-term duty locations.