After reading several of these posts, I feel the need to provide some professional counseling to make sure some folks don't get the wrong idea about per diem.
I have had the sad duty to reprimand, and in more than one instance "fry" field grade officers who either failed to do the due diligence to know what the Joint Federal Travel Regulations were for different TDY situations, or didn't think they pertained to them.
Skimming a few bucks on a travel claim is extremely frowned upon. It brings into direct question your integrity, and is illegal. Don't do it.
If you are told you will be entitled to lodging, meals, and incidentals, listen closely to what you are being told, and read the fine print. Any questions, ask someone in authority. That is not the guy who is in "advanced" when you are in "primary."
I don't know the particulars of the NAS CC possible HURREVAC, but in other times there have been HURREVACs that directed where you would go, instead of just "Get out of town and keep us informed." Thus, you may be directed to go to a base, possibly around San Antonio. You may be directed to utilize government quarters and messing. If so, that will limit your reimbursement, regardless of where you eat or stay, unless there's no room on base. Given the unique nature of a massive HURREVAC, they can direct you stay in a barracks (gov't quarters provided) or put you in contract lodging. Don't whine. This ain't the Air Force - you are not "entitled" to a specific amount of square footage for your hooch. Relax. You will end up living in worse squalor in your Navy career.
If you are directed to find yourself a place to stay, remember that lodging is a direct reimbursement (dollar for dollar up to the max allowable). If you stay with friends, you get nothing. Don't try and fabricate a "bed and breakfast" receipt from your buddy. This is clearly addressed in the regs, and unless you can prove your buddy has historically been in the bed and breakfast business (typically as evidenced by some sort of hotelier license from the local taxing authority), you will be guilty of fraud. The burden is on you to prove it.
If you double up in a hotel, you still need to provide receipts, and will only get reimbursed for your portion. There is no opportunity (legally) to make money off the lodging. However, doubling up saves the government money. That's a good thing. It might also enable the hotel to accomodate another family who is running for their life as well. You might also check w/ admin (or see this link
http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxforms/12-302.pdf ) for a Texas hotel tax exempt certificate. This will allow you not to pay taxes on your hotel room. Not all places take them, but many do. I direct that all my travelers attempt to use one of these. It is known as being a good steward of the taxpayer's money. You should always strive to be one.
The meals rate is either going to be gov't messing available and reimbursed at a rate somewhere around $10 per day, or it will be the local rate (at your destination). If you elect to subsist on ramen noodles then the delta between your actual food expenses and the local meal rate can be used for beer money. You will not be required to produce a receipt for each meal expense.
Be safe and be smart.
