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Rules for Active-Duty Guest of Honor Travel to 2026 Birthday Balls

MARADMIN 317/26·July 15, 2026·2 min read·Official source
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The Marine Corps has published guidance for how units can request an active-duty general officer, senior executive, or sergeant major as a guest of honor (GOH) or guest speaker at a 2026 Birthday Ball. The short version: HQMC is tightening the reins on travel costs. Local options come first, government funds only, and any non-local request needs approval from the Director, Marine Corps Staff (DMCS).

Heads up: HQMC will not fund any travel for GOHs. The requesting or traveling unit pays, using appropriated funds only.

Who it affects

This applies to units planning Birthday Balls who want to bring in an active-duty GO, senior executive, or SgtMaj from outside the local area as a GOH or guest speaker. It also applies to those senior leaders if they're asked to attend.

It does not apply to GOHs or guest speakers who are not government employees or are not on active duty.

What you need to do

If your unit is planning a ball and wants a non-local active-duty GOH:

  1. Confirm that no local GO or SgtMaj is available for your date. This is a prerequisite, not a formality.
  2. Consider local veteran organization leaders or retired community leaders as your primary GOH options before going further.
  3. If you still need a non-local active-duty GOH, prepare a request in standard naval letter format and email it to the DMCS POC (Captain B. Ferner) at bradley.ferner@usmc.mil at least 10 business days before the ball.
  4. Your request must cover: the unit and ball date and location, any travel restrictions, the GOH's specific role and why they are uniquely appropriate, a list of all active-duty GOs and SgtsMaj attending or available locally, estimated TAD costs and funding source, a full travel itinerary from and back to the GOH's home station, and anticipated attendance numbers.

If you are the GOH or guest speaker:

  • Travel is on official orders. Check with your local staff judge advocate (SJA) before accepting any gifts or travel benefits.
  • Your spouse's travel is not government-funded. You can bring them at your own expense.

If your unit is presenting a gift to a GOH or guest speaker:

  • Talk to your SJA first. The Joint Ethics Regulation has been updated and there are new rules around gifts.

One exception that does not need DMCS approval: If the GOH is attending a ball within their own command or purview (for example, a subordinate unit's ball), or is traveling at their own expense, no separate DMCS approval is required.

Key dates

  • Requests due to DMCS: at least 10 business days before your ball date
  • This MARADMIN cancels: 31 December 2026

The official version

MARADMIN 317/26

Referenced orders: CMC Green Letter 2-13 (spousal travel), MCO 7040.11A (Birthday Ball funding), DoD Instruction 4500.56 (government aircraft use), DoD Joint Ethics Regulation, and the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR).

This is written by a reservist, for reservists. It is not an official publication of HQMC or MARFORRES. Always verify guidance with your command or unit S-1 before acting on any article or summary.

Resources & references

The documents this bulletin points to, with a plain-English note on why each matters. Links marked CAC required need a government login.

  • CMC Green Letter 2-13, Senior Official Spousal TravelReference

    This CMC guidance covers policy on spousal travel for senior officials. It is a background reference for the prohibition on government-funded spousal travel stated in this MARADMIN.

  • Department of the Navy Public Affairs Policy and Regulations (SECNAVINST 5720.44C CH-2)Reference

    This Secretary of the Navy instruction governs DON public affairs policy. It is cited as a governing reference for the overall guidance in this MARADMIN.

  • Marine Corps Birthday Ball Funding order (MCO 7040.11A)Reference

    This Marine Corps Order sets the rules for how birthday ball travel expenses must be funded. This MARADMIN explicitly references it to require that GOH travel costs be covered by appropriated funds from the requesting or GOH's unit.

  • DOD Policy on the Use of Government Aircraft and Air Travel (DODI 4500.56)Reference

    This DOD instruction governs when and how government aircraft and air travel may be used. It is a governing reference for travel decisions related to GOH participation in birthday balls.

  • DOD Joint Ethics Regulation (JER)Reference

    The JER sets ethics rules for accepting gifts and travel benefits. This MARADMIN specifically calls out significant recent updates to the JER and requires GOHs and units to consult their staff judge advocate before giving or accepting gifts.

  • Joint Travel Regulations (JTR)Reference

    The JTR governs all travel entitlements and reimbursements for military members and civilians. This MARADMIN directs that GOH travel expenses be funded in accordance with the JTR and that GOHs on official orders review the JTR before accepting any travel benefits.

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