A continuous overseas tour, formally called a Consecutive Overseas Tour (COT), is a military assignment where a service member moves from one overseas duty station to another overseas duty station without returning to the continental United States (CONUS) between tours. COT and IPCOT policies apply across all branches of the U.S. military and govern leave entitlements, travel benefits, and dependent travel allowances during extended overseas assignments.
What Is a Consecutive Overseas Tour (COT)?
A Consecutive Overseas Tour (COT) is the permanent change of station (PCS) reassignment of a service member from 1 overseas duty station to another overseas duty station. A military tour denotes a continuous period during which a service member is assigned to a particular post or theater of operations, either within the continental United States (CONUS) or overseas (OCONUS), and covers both peacetime and wartime deployments. For context, see our previous guide on Calvin Harris Tour Scotland 2026: 2 Glasgow Dates, Tickets, and What to Expect at Hampden Park.
The government-paid travel home is the primary benefit associated with a COT. Any leave used is chargeable to the service member.
What Is the Difference Between a COT and an IPCOT?
A COT involves a permanent change of station between 2 overseas locations, while an IPCOT – In-Place Consecutive Overseas Tour – allows a service member to extend at the same overseas duty station without moving.
An IPCOT is equal to the prescribed tour for the OCONUS area, plus leave and travel time taken between the 2 tours – 30 days of leave and a minimum of 1 day of travel. Neither the first tour nor the second tour may be curtailed for an IPCOT.
| Feature | COT | IPCOT |
|---|---|---|
| Location Change | Yes – new overseas station | No – same station |
| PCS Required | Yes | No |
| Leave Between Tours | 30 days plus travel | 30 days plus 1 travel day |
| Approval Authority | HRC (inter-theater) | Overseas ACOM/ASCC/DRU commanders |
| Tour Curtailment | Not permitted | Not permitted |
What Are the 4 Types of Overseas Tour Assignments?
Military overseas assignments are categorized into 4 types based on location, duration, and mission purpose.
Military tours can be categorized based on location, nature of duty, and mission objectives. The 4 primary types are:
- Permanent Change of Station (PCS) – relocation from one duty station to another, often overseas, typically lasting 2 to 4 years
- Combat Tour – deployment to an active conflict zone, lasting 6 to 12 months, with possible extensions
- Consecutive Overseas Tour (COT) – back-to-back overseas assignments without returning to CONUS
- In-Place Consecutive Overseas Tour (IPCOT) – extension at the same overseas station without a PCS move
A general tour of duty for soldiers comprises service lasting from 6 months to 4 years. Tours lasting longer than 2 years are eligible to receive medals of merit. Tours of duty can be extended involuntarily based on mission requirements.
Who Is Eligible for a Consecutive Overseas Tour?
Service members are eligible for a COT when they complete their current prescribed overseas tour, including any voluntary extensions, and agree to serve another full tour plus leave and travel time between tours.
Members of the Navy assigned to consecutive overseas tours or in-place consecutive overseas tours with orders directing them to serve those tours are eligible for COT and IPCOT leave travel entitlement.
Inter-theater COTs must be approved by HRC. Intra-theater COTs may be approved by overseas Army command (ACOM), Army service component command (ASCC), or direct reporting unit (DRU) commanders, provided move quotas have been issued by U.S. Army Human Resources Command.
What Disqualifies a Service Member From a COT?
Service members are not eligible for a COT if they meet any of the following conditions:
- Placement on assignment restriction
- Failure to complete the current prescribed tour
- Use of chargeable leave between 2 tours when a deferment is in place
- Failure to submit a deferment memo before the completion of the current tour
What Benefits Come With a Consecutive Overseas Tour?
The primary benefit of a COT is government-funded round-trip transportation for the service member and eligible dependents to the home of record (HOR) between tours.
Marines who serve back-to-back assignments abroad, called consecutive overseas tours, or who extend a previous posting in a foreign country, are eligible for incentives including a government-funded trip home from their next duty station.
The COT benefit includes a free flight to the home of record for the service member and their dependents. Travel to an alternate location is permitted, but the service member may be required to pay the difference in cost above the HOR fare.
What Travel Entitlements Does COT Leave Include?
COT leave travel entitlement is calculated by determining the distance between the member’s duty station and authorized leave destinations, such as the home of record or a place requested by the member. The distance determines the number of leave days authorized.
When a service member wants to travel to an alternate CONUS location instead of the HOR, the City Pair Program airfare to the alternate location must not exceed the cost of travel to the HOR. If the alternate location is less expensive, the service member is authorized the lower cost. If it is more expensive, the service member is responsible for the additional cost.
Are Dependents Covered Under COT Leave Travel?
Yes. Eligible command-sponsored dependents are authorized transportation allowances between authorized locations under COT and IPCOT.
An eligible soldier and eligible command-sponsored dependents are authorized transportation allowances between authorized locations. The authorized destination is the service member’s HOR. Transportation to any other location is limited to the cost had the service member or dependent traveled to the HOR.
How Does COT Leave Work?
COT leave is ordinary, chargeable leave taken between 2 consecutive overseas tours. Travel costs are the only government-funded entitlement.
COT leave is normally used between the 2 tours of duty. Soldiers authorized travel allowances in conjunction with a COT or IPCOT may request to defer travel between the 2 tours to use the allowances during the second tour.
Can COT Leave Be Deferred?
Yes. COT leave can be deferred with written approval from the losing or gaining commander.
Either losing or gaining commanders may defer COT leave due to military necessity. Soldiers may also request deferment of COT leave for personal reasons. Deferment is void and COT leave entitlements are depleted if any chargeable leave is used between the 2 tours of duty. If COT leave is deferred due to military necessity, orders will state that COT leave is authorized but deferred.
Soldiers unable to use COT travel allowances due to lengthy deployment may defer travel up to 1 year after completion of the tour. Travel allowances expire unless completed before the end of the new tour.
What Documents Are Required to Process a COT Claim?
Service members must submit 6 primary documents to process a COT or IPCOT claim.
Required documents for a COT claim include a DA Form 4187 requesting the COT, a DA Form 31 to verify leave address and leave days, a copy of PCS orders, and an Official Record Brief (ORB). The full 6-document checklist is:
- DA Form 4187 – Personnel Action requesting COT
- DA Form 31 – Leave form with approved leave dates
- PCS orders – front and back side
- COT/IPCOT orders – front and back side
- Travel Voucher (DD Form 1351-2, May 2011 edition only)
- SATO/CTO airfare itinerary and receipt
The service member must ensure DA Form 31 leave dates match the flight itinerary departing from the last duty station. This confirms the service member did not spend more than 7 days in the continental United States. Once documentation is verified, the service member has 1 year to use the COT travel claim or the entitlement is permanently forfeited.
What Is the Processing Time for a COT Claim?
COT claims take between 3 and 10 working days to process after all documentation is submitted.
After submitting the COT or IPCOT claim in DTS, service members should allow 5 to 7 days for processing. A separate authorization or voucher in DTS must not be created in addition to the claim submission.
COT vs. IPCOT – Quick Reference
| Category | COT | IPCOT |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Consecutive Overseas Tour | In-Place Consecutive Overseas Tour |
| Station Change | Required | Not required |
| Leave Between Tours | Chargeable – 30 days | Chargeable – 30 days plus 1 travel day |
| Travel Funded | Government-paid to HOR | Government-paid to HOR |
| Dependents Eligible | Yes – command sponsored | Yes – command sponsored |
| Deferment Allowed | Yes – commander approval | Yes – commander approval |
| Entitlement Expiry | 1 year from report date | Before new tour completion |
| Processing Time | 3 to 10 working days | 3 to 10 working days |
A continuous overseas tour (COT) provides 1 key financial benefit – government-funded travel to the home of record – for service members and eligible dependents moving between consecutive overseas assignments. Eligibility requires completion of the current prescribed tour and written agreement to serve a full follow-on tour. The entitlement expires if chargeable leave is used outside an approved deferment, or if the travel claim is not submitted within 1 year of reporting to the new duty station. Service members processing a COT claim must submit all 6 required documents and allow up to 10 working days for action.
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