UNCLASSIFIED  //  FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY  //  FOUO
DFM 1-01  //  DIVORCEFIELAMANUAL.COM  //  MAR 2024
⚖️
DIVORCE
FIELD
MANUAL
Operational Guide for Military Families
Military divorce is not civilian divorce. Benefits, pensions, custody under deployment, and housing allowances all vary by branch. Select your branch of service for mission-specific operational guidance.
DFM 1-01 · SUPERSEDES ALL PREVIOUS EDITIONS
DISTRIBUTION: ALL SERVICE MEMBERS AND FAMILIES
NOT LEGAL ADVICE · CONSULT A LICENSED ATTORNEY
// SELECT YOUR BRANCH OF SERVICE // CLICK TO ENTER
U.S. Army Emblem
U.S. ARMY
Soldier & Spouse Divorce Operations Manual
This We’ll Defend
DFM 1-01.1 ENTER ▶
U.S. Navy Emblem
U.S. NAVY
Sailor & Family Divorce Operations Manual
Forged by the Sea
DFM 1-01.2 ENTER ▶
U.S. Air Force Emblem
U.S. AIR FORCE
Airman & Family Divorce Operations Manual
Aim High · Fly · Fight · Win
DFM 1-01.3 ENTER ▶
U.S. Marine Corps Emblem
U.S. MARINE CORPS
Marine & Family Divorce Operations Manual
Semper Fidelis
DFM 1-01.4 ENTER ▶
U.S. Coast Guard Seal
U.S. COAST GUARD
Coastie & Family Divorce Operations Manual
Semper Paratus
DFM 1-01.5 ENTER ▶
DFM 1-01.1 (ARMY)  //  UNCLASSIFIED  //  FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
DFM 1-01.1  |  U.S. ARMY EDITION  |  MARCH 2024
U.S. Army EmblemU.S. ARMY
Soldier & Spouse Divorce Operations Manual
BAH zone calculations, PCS orders timing, JAG legal assistance, Army Reserve and National Guard pension complexities, and the 20/20/20 rule for military ID card retention. This manual covers your operational terrain.
// TABLE OF CONTENTS //
CHAPTER INDEX
CH. 1Understanding Army Pay & BAH During Separation→
CH. 2PCS Orders & Divorce Timing: What You Need to Know→
CH. 3Army Pension Division Under USFSPA→
CH. 4JAG Legal Assistance: What They Can (and Can’t) Do→
CH. 5Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Elections→
CH. 6Custody & Deployment: SCRA & Family Care Plans→
APP. AArmy Reserve & National Guard: Special Considerations→
APP. B20/20/20 Rule & DEERS / Tricare Eligibility→
DFM 1-01.2 (NAVY)  //  UNCLASSIFIED  //  FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
DFM 1-01.2  |  U.S. NAVY EDITION  |  MARCH 2024
U.S. Navy EmblemU.S. NAVY
Sailor & Family Divorce Operations Manual
Extended deployments, sea duty pay, overseas SOFA complications, and housing aboard ship or on base. Sea duty assignment patterns directly affect support calculations and custody logistics.
// TABLE OF CONTENTS //
CHAPTER INDEX
CH. 1Navy Pay Structure: BAH, BAS & Sea Pay During Divorce→
CH. 2Deployment Schedules & Custody Order Strategy→
CH. 3Navy Pension: High-3 vs. BRS Under USFSPA→
CH. 4Navy Legal Service Offices (NLSOs) — Know Your Resources→
CH. 5Base Housing & Termination Upon Divorce→
CH. 6SCRA Protections During Deployment→
APP. AOverseas SOFA Jurisdictions: Where to File→
APP. BTricare Coverage Changes at Divorce→
DFM 1-01.3 (USAF)  //  UNCLASSIFIED  //  FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
DFM 1-01.3  |  U.S. AIR FORCE EDITION  |  MARCH 2024
U.S. Air Force EmblemU.S. AIR FORCE
Airman & Family Divorce Operations Manual
TDY cycles, Air Force Aid Society, the Blended Retirement System, and the Air Force Legal Operations Agency (AFLOA) all factor into divorce outcomes for Airmen and Space Force Guardians.
// TABLE OF CONTENTS //
CHAPTER INDEX
CH. 1Air Force Pay & Allowances: OHA, BAH & TDY Rates→
CH. 2TDY Deployment Patterns & Custody Planning→
CH. 3USAF Retirement: Legacy vs. BRS Pension Division→
CH. 4AFLOA Base Legal Offices: Services at Divorce→
CH. 5Air Force Aid Society & Family Support During Divorce→
CH. 6Space Force (USSF) Specific Provisions→
APP. AOverseas Assignments: SOFA & Jurisdiction Selection→
APP. BTricare & DEERS Update Procedures Post-Divorce→
DFM 1-01.4 (USMC)  //  UNCLASSIFIED  //  FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
DFM 1-01.4  |  U.S. MARINE CORPS EDITION  |  MARCH 2024
U.S. Marine Corps EmblemU.S. MARINE CORPS
Marine & Family Divorce Operations Manual
Marine Corps deployments are among the longest and least predictable, making custody and support orders tactically complex. MCB housing, Unit Deployment Programs, and the Marine Corps Legal Services Branch all factor in.
// TABLE OF CONTENTS //
CHAPTER INDEX
CH. 1Marine Pay: BAH, BAS & Combat Pay in Divorce Proceedings→
CH. 2Unit Deployment Program (UDP) & Custody Strategy→
CH. 3Marine Corps Pension Division: USFSPA & High-3→
CH. 4Legal Services Branch: What JAG Can Provide→
CH. 5MCB Housing: Termination Rights & Timeline→
CH. 6Reserve Marines: Weekend Warrior Divorce Complexity→
APP. AOkinawa & Overseas SOFA Complications→
APP. BPost-Divorce Family Support Resources→
DFM 1-01.5 (USCG)  //  UNCLASSIFIED  //  FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
DFM 1-01.5  |  U.S. COAST GUARD EDITION  |  MARCH 2024
U.S. Coast Guard SealU.S. COAST GUARD
Coastie & Family Divorce Operations Manual
The Coast Guard operates under DHS, not DoD — creating unique legal nuances. Port assignment patterns, CG Mutual Assistance, and civil service retirement crossovers are all mission-critical factors in your divorce planning.
// TABLE OF CONTENTS //
CHAPTER INDEX
CH. 1Coast Guard Pay: BAH, BAS & Port Assignment Allowances→
CH. 2Patrol Schedules, Port Rotations & Custody Orders→
CH. 3USCG Pension Under DHS: USFSPA & CGMA→
CH. 4Legal Assistance Through CGLS & Work-Life Staff→
CH. 5Station Housing vs. Civilian Quarters During Separation→
CH. 6DHS vs. DoD: Key Legal Differences for Coasties→
APP. AAlaska, Hawaii & Remote Duty Station Complications→
APP. BPost-Divorce Resource Directory→

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