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 a form of payment other than what is directed
in the order (i.e. IBA directed however would like to use CBA), ticketing can be
provided however advise the member that the orders may have to be amended before
a voucher can be filed.
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
Exceptions to AMC flight:
If one of the above exceptions applies, the traveler is entitled to
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:
Now you may book an unrestricted fare.
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:
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
Government Fares
-or-
"PAX declined restricted fare due to penalties."
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 without SACOR / ITO approval (exception form). The member is expected required to pay for excess baggage and claim reimbursement.
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.