Sometimes called Temporary Additional Training (TAD) by
other branches of the armed services. (specifically the
Navy, Marines and Coast Guard)
Applies to All DOD Military and DOD Civilian personnel.
Authority: JFTR Chapter Four and Appendix O
Forward: Temporary Duty Travel (TDY) is travel on orders from current place of assignment to a specified destination(s) and return to place of assignment. Travel is mandated by USAREUR to be via a direct route. Deviations to direct routing will require approval (exception form) from the local SACOR/ITO or other government approving official.
DOD Contractors are personnel who are under contract to the government but are not DOD civilian employees. Contractors may present a TDY Order or a Letter of Identification (LOI). Even though the document may have an accounting citation, government fares can not be used nor can travel be charged to the CBA.
NAFI employees also go TDY. They may present an Order
or a Letter of Identification (LOI). Even though the document may have an
accounting citation, travel can not be charged to the CBA. Government
fares may be used.
A. Validate Order
Content
FOP (Form of Payment): If the order does not direct a form of payment,
or if travelers would like to use an IBA when CBA is directed, ticketing can be
provided however advise the member that the orders may have to be amended before
a voucher can be filed.
See CBA - IBA Matrix
for required counseling.
FOP (Form of Payment) CINCUSEUCOM: All personnel assigned to
CINCUSEUCOM, who are primarily based in Stuttgart or Belgium, have been
authorized to utilize their individual IBA, the Government IBA or the
Government CBA regardless of the FOP directed on the travel order. If the FOP
used is different than what is stated on the travel order, we must advise
the traveler that the orders may have to be amended before a voucher can be filed.
Reminder, government fares can only be purchased with a government IBA or
Government CBA.
Special Orders: In the future, members may provide "special orders"
in an email format. These email orders must contain the same information as
identified in "a - f" above in order for travel to be provided.
Variations Authorized
If the TDY travel orders specify that variations are authorized,
indicated by a check mark in the small box next to "variations
authorized" (block 11 on DD1610), the member will be allowed
to vary his itinerary based on duty requirements. If variations
authorized is checked, the traveler can select a destination that
is not entered on the travel orders.
Blanket Orders
Blanket orders authorize members to travel to any points as specified in the
travel order. Orders must be valid.
Expired Order
If a set of TDY orders allowed a maximum duty
length of 120 days (this would be listed on the orders as
"approximate length of duty"), once 120 days had past
from the "proceed on date", these orders would no
longer be valid. The member would require an extension or
amendment to the TDY orders to authorize travel. Refer the member to the
SACOR for assistance.
B. Communicate Entitlements
Mode of travel
If the SACOR/ITO approves commercial air transportation the lowest fare must be offered for the desired
route, even if there are associated penalties. Inform the traveler of the penalties. If the traveler
declines a penalty fare, the PNR must be annotated:
When using a foreign flag air carrier it is mandatory that the
applicable FFEX (Foreign Flag Exception) JTR/JFTR paragraph is printed on the
invoice. Click FFEX
for detailed information on the exceptions below.
Proceed date
Premium Class Travel
It is DOD policy that economy class travel accommodations be used for all official travel
unless higher class accommodations are properly approved. When booking a travel request keep in mind,
direct air service does not have to be used.
Circuitous travel can be provided if economy seating is available even if the circuitous routing is more
expensive than the direct route using a COW/CRT fare.
COW/CRT fares may not be used as they are
considered, by USAREUR, to be business class fares. For some routes you have the ability to override
the business class fare for a unrestricted coach fare (YOW/YRT). Check with your Branch Manager
for CRS entries and further instruction if required. If overriding is not possible proper approval for
business class travel must be obtained.
If a circuitous routing is used to avoid the use of a business class fare, the following sentence
must appear on the invoice:
"Circuitous routing used to ensure an economy fare, as direct route required the use of a
business class fare."
In all cases appropriate approval authorities are at the General Officer (GO) level. Obtaining approval is
the direct responsibility of the Authorizing Official (AO) which is also the person/agency
responsible for publication of travel orders.
Approved orders must contain the following.
To view a sample copy of a TDY travel order (DD1610), with an appropriate approval authority
contained in block 16, click here.
Excess Baggage
Orders must authorize excess baggage in order for the traveler to be
reimbursed. Excess baggage cannot be charged to the CBA. The member is required
to pay for excess baggage and claim reimbursement. There are special cases in
which military personnel can be authorized to charge excess baggage costs to
the CBA. While the SACOR / ITO can not approve this exception, they will
assist the traveler in obtaining approval from the proper authority. Refer
the traveler to the SACOR.
Pet Travel
Cost of pet travel is at the traveler’s personal expense. The contract carrier can not be waived if
there is no pet space available or the contract carrier cannot accommodate the pet.
C. Communicate Exception Options
The following is a partial list of common exception requests:
If a customer requests an exception to their travel entitlement
refer them to the SACOR / ITO for approval (exception form). SatoTravel will
gladly ticket any travel request that has been approved with an authorized
and signed exception form. This does not apply to Premium Class Travel.
Refer to Premium Class Travel for approval authorities.
Any statement on the order indicating that the member is a Government IBA
card holder (i.e. "IBA may be authorized") is to be interpreted as mandatory use
of the IBA. Tickets can not be issued without an amended order.
Entitled Travel Options
Example: Member is TDY to Fort Polk, Alexandria LA. He has leave
authorized in Mobile Alabama, He wants to return to his Germany duty station
from Mobile instead of Alexandria. This is not possible. Although there may
be a government fare available from Mobile Alabama that is cheaper than from
Alexandria, we cannot apply that fare since he is in Mobile for leisure
reasons AND (point 1) he can only be routed directly to/from the TDY station.
GSA Guidelines for commercial travel using
-or-
"PAX declined restricted fare due to penalties."
If a customer pays with his IBA (Government Travel Card), approval is not necessary as long
as the traveler is aware that the following sentence will appear on his invoice.
The issuing of a round trip ticket for one way travel as a means
to obtain economy fares has been determined to be an illegal business practice. USAREUR transportation
personnel have also agreed that it should not be done. SatoTravel Associates will not indulge in this
practice.
SatoTravel does not provide statements of non availability for economy fares. Travelers who have
performed travel at personal expense, and bought tickets from other than a contract travel office, will
have to discuss reimbursement with a government representative.
last review June 5, 2007