Department of Defense
INSTRUCTION
NUMBER 1315.18
October 28, 2015
Incorporating Change 4, Effective May 23, 2025
USD(P&R)
SUBJECT: Procedures for Military Personnel Assignments
References: See Enclosure 1
1. PURPOSE. This instruction:
a. Reissues DoD Instruction (DoDI) 1315.18 (Reference (a)) in accordance with the
authority in DoD Directive 5124.02 (Reference (b)) to establish policy, assign responsibilities,
and provide procedures for the assignment and reassignment of Service members.
b. Provides permanent change of station (PCS) policies and procedures to be used by the
Military Services in maintaining an equitable assignment system for enhancing career
attractiveness and professional development, sustaining an assignment base for overseas tours of
duty, achieving stability for tour completions, developing tour lengths consistent with
maintaining a high degree of combat capability and readiness, and achieving PCS stability.
c. Provides standardized overseas tour lengths for Service members stationed outside the
continental United States (OCONUS) and requires an assessment of force protection and anti-
terrorism considerations in accordance with DoDI 2000.12 (Reference (c)) for establishment of
new, or changes to current, overseas tour lengths.
d. Incorporates and cancels DoD Directive 1315.07 (Reference (d)).
2. APPLICABILITY
a. This instruction applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of the Chairman of
the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the
Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field
Activities, and all other organizational entities in the DoD (referred to collectively in this
instruction as the “DoD Components”).
b. This instruction does not apply to Service members detailed to non-DoD activities
covered by DoDI 1000.17 (Reference (e)).
