Effective January 1, 2026,through December 31, 2026, the Office of the Under Secretary of War (Comptroller) set the Government meal rate at $18.00. This rate applies to both Service members and civilian employees, and both in the CONUS and in the OCONUS. See Meal Rates for a breakdown.
The Office of the Under Secretary of War (Comptroller) reviews and revises the rate, if necessary, every year. The rates in the table are effective from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
Yes, the Office of the Secretary of War (Comptroller) increased the 2025 standard Government meal rate from $17.60 to $18.00 for the 2026 calendar year. See Meal Rates 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 OUSW Comptroller website.
Effective 1 October 2008, the meal rate for cadets and midshipmen is equivalent to the Enlisted Basic Allowance for Subsistence rate.