The rule you are applying is assuming the reservist travels without an overnight stay... you are missing an important part:
This is from 2020: http://militaryfinancialadvisors.org/deducting-reserve-expenses/
"Travel Expenses for Overnight Stays
- These expenses include lodging, airfare, car rental, etc.
- Do not include meals in this category
- You can include incidental expenses, which covers items such as fees and tips; instead of tracking actual incidental expenses, you can use the alternate method of $5/day, but you can only use this alternate method if you are claiming no meal expenses for the same day"
Turbo Tax's narrow interpretation is costing service members money.
