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A travel order identifies the travel purpose and includes necessary financial information for budgetary and
reimbursement purposes. It also provides documentation for using travel programs to a Travel
Management Company (TMC) and travel service vendors (FTR § 301-71.100). The travel order provides
the traveler information regarding what expenses may be reimbursed. It should be issued before travel
begins unless an urgent or unusual situation prevents prior issuance (FTR § 301-71.108). However, a
written travel order is not necessary when it is known that the travel claim involves only local
transportation reimbursement.
This document provides policy on preparing travel orders, in addition to the policy in the Joint Travel
Regulations. The document is divided into four sections. The first section applies to all travelers and all
types of travel orders. The second section applies to Uniform Service members only. The third section
applies to DoD civilian employees, and the final section applies to individuals not employed by the
Government and traveling on an invitational travel authorization (ITA).
SECTION 1: REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL TRAVEL ORDERS
Issuing a Travel Order
An Authorizing or Approving Official (AO) can authorize travel by issuing a written travel order or by
issuing a letter, email, or verbal instruction followed by a written travel order. Strict administrative
control must be maintained over travel order issuance.
A. Travel Order. A travel order must be either written or electronic and establish the conditions
under which official travel and transportation is authorized at Government expense. An AO can authorize
travel within the limits or immediate vicinity of the permanent duty station (PDS) by issuing either a
written travel order or a letter, email, or verbal instruction when the AO decides it is appropriate for fund-
approval purposes. Local travel in, around, or near the PDS does not require a written travel order as long
as lodging or per diem is not payable. When lodging or per diem is payable, a written travel order must
support the travel claim. If a travel order is not issued, approval on a claim voucher should suffice for
reimbursement purposes. A travel order must not be issued for reporting to the first PDS except as
specified in the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), Chapter 5.
B. Confirmatory Travel Order. A confirmatory travel order is issued to confirm an order that was
given verbally, by letter, or by message when official travel began or was performed before the written
travel order was issued. A confirmatory travel order may be issued to a Service member, to a civilian
employee, or in connection with an ITA. The written travel order must adhere to all of the following
conditions:
1. Be issued as promptly as possible.
2. Include appropriate statements regarding the prior authorization and justification for any
unusual issuance delay.
3. Be initiated by the official who directed the travel.
Standard Content for a Travel Order
Regardless of the type of travel order issued, all travel orders must contain the following information:
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A. Name. Each order must contain the traveler’s name. Each traveler must have their own order
unless the JTR authorizes more than one traveler on an order, such as in the case of personnel traveling
together (JTR, paragraph 020315) or for an escort or attendant for medical travel as specified in the JTR,
paragraph 033102.
B. Transportation Purchase Methods. All travel authorizations and orders that authorize the
purchase of transportation tickets must identify the purchase method. The authorization or order must
state whether the ticket was purchased using an individually billed account (IBA) or a centrally billed
account, or was otherwise personally purchased by the traveler. This is necessary to prevent duplicate
reimbursement of transportation tickets. If the purchase method changes after the travel authorization or
order is published, then the AO may approve the changed method after the fact on the travel claim.
C. Government Travel Charge Card. Travel orders for Service members or DoD civilian
employees must also include any of the following applicable statements relating to the Government
Travel Charge Card (GTCC):
1. A statement indicating whether the traveler is or is not a GTCC IBA holder (see DoD
Instruction (DoDI) 5154.31, Vol. 4, “Government Travel Charge Card Regulations”).
2. If the traveler is a GTCC IBA holder, a statement indicating whether or not the traveler is
exempt from the Travel and Transportation Reform Act (TTRA) mandatory use provision. This
statement also authorizes alternative payment methods (see DoDI 5154.31, Vol. 4).
3. A statement indicating that a GTCC holder should obtain necessary cash, specifying the
amount authorized, through ATMs rather than obtaining cash advances from a DoD disbursing officer
(see DoDI 5154.31, Vol. 4).
D. Travel Order Conflict. If the travel order conflicts with the JTR, the JTR policy governs.
Issuing a Temporary Duty (TDY) Travel Order
A. Form To Use. Use DD Form 1610 (Request and Authorization for TDY Travel of DoD
Personnel) for all official TDY travel, funded environmental and morale leave (FEML) travel, rest and
recuperation (R&R) travel, dependent evacuation, and group or blanket TDY travel. Include all
additional names, authorizations, and necessary information on continuation sheets. Instructions for
completing DD Form 1610 are on the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website. DD Form
1610 cannot be used for invitational travel or a contractor’s travel. Travel authorizations produced in an
electronic travel system are not required to use or reproduce a corresponding DD Form 1610 as long as
the system contains all data elements required by FTR, Chapter 301, Appendix C. A printed copy of an
electronic travel authorization is considered a valid order if it contains the data elements that would be
included in a DD Form 1610.
B. Standard Content on a TDY Travel Order. A travel order that does not have a box to check
for a particular allowance must include a statement authorizing the allowance. The following information
must be included on each travel order:
1. The Service member’s or civilian employee’s name.
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2. Travel purpose. Refer to CFR Title 41, Chapter 301, Appendix C, “Standard Data
Elements for Federal Travel [Traveler Identification],” for the travel purposes and for clarification of
what is considered an acceptable reason for travel at Government expense.
3. Travel order conditions or limitations. List the actual TDY location—not a nearby city or
town—on the TDY order.
4. Travel cost estimate.
5. AO’s signature.
C. Authorize Variations in Travel. Authorizing variations in a travel authorization is not a
substitution for poor planning and cannot be used to create a blanket travel authorization or repeat travel
authorization. An authorized variation in a TDY order allows a traveler to:
1. Go to destinations not named in the order.
2. Change the specified time spent at a named destination.
3. Change the sequence of the named destinations.
4. Omit travel to named destinations.
D. Blanket or Repeat Travel Order. A blanket or repeat travel order may be needed when a
traveler is required to undertake multiple trips using the same authorization. The travel order remains in
effect until it is revoked or until the end of the fiscal year. The travel order is automatically canceled
when the traveler is assigned on a permanent change of station (PCS) or reaches the time limit specified
in the order. A blanket or repeat travel order must:
1. State that it is for “blanket TDY travel” or “repeat TDY travel” and that the Uniformed
Service member or civilian employee must proceed at such times, to such places, and at such frequency.
2. State the geographical area for its use.
3. Contain estimated travel costs for the period indicated in the order.
4. State the reason for this type of travel.
5. Only authorize economy or coach travel.
6. Not authorize an actual expense allowance (AEA).
7. Be amended when premium-class transportation or AEA is necessary for a specific
location on an individual trip.
8. Not be issued merely to authorize a specific number of trips to or between stated places or
to enable variations in itinerary.
9. State authorization for excess accompanied baggage, if the baggage is necessary.
10. List expense items requiring specific approval.
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11. Designate the traveler as an Acting Transportation Officer, if applicable.
12. State authorization for a privately owned vehicle (POV) with reimbursement when
approved on claim vouchers as being to the Government’s advantage.
13. Include other pertinent conditions, limitations, and instructions, as applicable.
Amending a Travel Order
A. Authority to Amend Travel Order. An amended travel order can only be issued by the same
organization that issued the original order, unless otherwise specified in this document. The amendment
modifies the original travel order. The AO directing a civilian employee’s travel, or an official with
delegated authority, is responsible for amending a travel order. If additional funds are required, the
official whose funds are affected must provide authorization before an amendment is issued.
B. Effect of Amendment on Allowances. The effective date of the amendment is the issuance
date unless a later date is specified. An amendment authorizing a change in per diem, mileage rate, or
reimbursement basis applies only to unperformed travel on or after the effective date. In some instances,
travel allowances may be authorized only in advance of travel or approved after travel is completed.
Approval after travel ends, when permitted, does not constitute “retroactive modification” of a travel
order to create, change, or deny an allowance. A travel order must not be revoked or modified
retroactively to create or deny an allowance, except to correct or complete a travel order to show the
original intent (24 Comp. Gen. 439 (1944)). For example, if a temporary duty (TDY) travel order had
clearly permitted POV use, it would be improper to amend the travel order to “un-authorize” POV travel
after travel had been completed.
C. Amending a Travel Order for a Civilian Employee. See Section 3, “Amending a DoD
Civilian Travel Order.”
SECTION 2: TRAVEL ORDER FOR A UNIFORMED SERVICE
MEMBER
In addition to the provisions that apply to all travel orders, and those in the JTR, each Service and
Agency has its own regulations specifying the requirements for travel orders issued to Uniformed Service
members. Refer to Service or Agency regulations for Uniformed Service members’ permanent duty
travel (PDT) orders and other orders as necessary that are not otherwise specified in the JTR or this
document.
SECTION 3: TRAVEL ORDER FOR A DOD CIVILIAN
EMPLOYEE
Delegation of Authority
The Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force have delegated authority to issue a travel order.
That authority may be re-delegated, as shown in the following tables. Within a Department of Defense
(DoD) Component other than in the Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, authority to issue a
travel order is delegated by the Component Head. An AO may ask another AO to issue an order. The
requesting AO must provide the required information and accounting data. Permitted delegations and re-
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delegations of authority to issue a travel order should be in writing and by organizational title to each
individual who may authorize or approve a travel order. Only the officials listed in the JTR, paragraph
020206 or Table 2-5, may authorize or approve premium-class air accommodations. Certain ITA
travelers must obtain pre-approval from an Authorizing Official in Table 3-2.1 who certifies that they
meet the requirements of 5 U.S.C. § 5703 to “be legitimately performing a direct service for the
Government.” See JTR, par. 030501.
A. Army Requirements to Delegate Authority. Delegation of authority to issue a travel order for
a TDY assignment or to issue an ITA is subject to Army Regulation (AR) 600-8-10, “Leaves and Passes.”
Responsibility for the issuance of a permanent change of station (PCS) travel order belongs to a
commander who has received delegated authority to fill positions, a commander who is responsible for
filling requisition and processing appointments outside of the continental United States (OCONUS), the
commander of an activity in which at least one individual is employed, or the commander of a gaining
activity, as appropriate, with regard to the type of PCS travel involved. Delegation of authority to issue a
travel order for a PCS depends upon the traveler’s location and destination as follows:
1. A PCS between locations in the continental United States (CONUS)
A commander to whom authority has been delegated to fill a position may have the authority
to issue a PCS order. He or she may re-delegate this authority.
2. A PCS to, from, or between locations OCONUS
A commander who is responsible for filling requisitions and processing appointments to an
area OCONUS, or for assigning a civilian employee to a PDS OCONUS, has the authority to issue a PCS
order. He or she may re-delegate this authority. The gaining activity is responsible for issuing the travel
order, but may request that the losing activity issue the order instead.
Table 1. Army Delegation of Authority for Issuing Travel Orders
AO
Type of
Travel Order
that May Be
Re-Delegated
Authority Requirement
Secretary of the Army
TDY
PDT
ITA
Delegates authority as appropriate.
Administrative Assistant to
the Secretary of the Army
For the Office of the Secretary of the Army and
elements reporting directly to it.
Chief of Staff TDY
This official may re-delegate authority, for a specific
project and time period, to a subordinate installation
commander or activity and field-operating agency to
issue a TDY travel order for travel to, from, and
between areas OCONUS when AR 600-8-10 does not
require issuance of a travel order by Headquarters,
Department of the Army.
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Commander of:
An Army Command
An Army Service
Component Command
Each Direct Reporting
Unit, including
Combatant Command
Components
TDY
This official may re-delegate authority, for a
specific project and time period, to a subordinate
installation commander or activity and field-
operating agency to issue a TDY travel order for
travel to, from, and between areas OCONUS when
AR 600-8-10 does not require issuance of a travel
order by Headquarters, Department of the Army.
Either a General or Admiral of at least a two-star
level, or a civilian equivalent, may authorize or
approve a TDY for 181 or more days in
accordance with the requirements in the JTR,
paragraph 010206, Table 1-6, and Table 1-7.
For the National Guard Bureau, the Chief of the
National Guard Bureau must authorize a blanket
TDY travel order before issuance.*
Head of an Army Staff
Agency
Commander of a Major
Subordinate Command
Regional Commander
Commander of an
Installation, Activity, and
Field Operating Agency
Commander or Head of an
Installation, Activity, or
Field Operating Agency
(A1)
TDY
Either a General or Admiral of at least a two-star
level, or a civilian equivalent, may authorize or
approve a TDY for 181 or more days in
accordance with the requirements in the JTR,
paragraph 010206, Table 1-6, and Table 1-7.
For the National Guard Bureau, the Chief of the
National Guard Bureau must authorize a blanket
TDY travel order
before issuance
.
*
The Adjutant General of a
State or Territory
TDY
ITA
For the National Guard Bureau, the Chief of the
National Guard Bureau must authorize a blanket TDY
travel order
before issuance
.
*
*A blanket travel order is not used in the Defense Travel System (DTS).
B. Navy and Marine Corps Requirements to Delegate Authority. Table 2 specifies which AOs
are delegated to issue each type of travel order. An official authorized to issue a service agreement or
PDT order may not re-delegate this authority. In the absence of the designated official to authorize or
approve PDT, an official “acting” is authorized to sign the service agreement or travel order as “acting.”
Issuance of a travel order for a TDY trip, a blanket order, or for invitational travel must adhere to the
following conditions:
1. Issuance is subject to Office of the Chief of Naval Operations Instruction (OPNAVINST)
4650.11(series), “Policies and Procedures for Official Temporary Duty Travel to Military and Civilian
Installations, Activities, and Units,” concerning an official visit to a military installation and to
OPNAVINST 5510.1(series), “Department of the Navy Security Program Regulation,” Chapter 16, for
duty involving access to classified material.
2. An official authorized to issue a TDY travel order or an ITA may delegate in writing to a
subordinate official the authority to sign such an order “by direction.”
Table 2. Navy Delegation of Authority for Issuing Travel Orders
AO
Type of Travel Order
TDY
(Individual
PDT ITA
OCONUS
Involving
Other Incl
CONUS First
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Trip and
Blanket)
Employment
Agreements
Duty Station
Travel
Secretary of the Navy
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Under Secretary of the Navy
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Deputy Under Secretary for Manpower
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Assistant Secretaries of the Navy
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Navy
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Commandant, Assistant Commandant, and
Director,
U.S. Marine Corp (
USMC
)
Staff
Yes Yes Yes Yes
Chief, Deputy Chief, Vice Chief, and
Assistant Chief of Bureaus and Offices and the
Head of an Office of the Navy Department
Yes Yes Yes Yes
Auditor General of the Navy and Director,
Naval Audit Service
Yes Yes Yes Yes
Director
of
each Naval Audit Service Region
Yes
No
No
No
Representative of the Office of the Deputy
Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Civilian
Personnel/Equal Employment
Opportunity)
Yes Yes Yes No
Commander and Vice Commander of Naval
Systems Command HQs
Yes Yes Yes No
Commander, Deputy Commander and Chief
of Staff, Military Sealift Command
Yes Yes Yes Yes
Director, Defense Printing Service
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Director, Naval Training Aids Center
Yes
No
No
No
Executive Assistant to the Commander and
Administrative Officer, Naval Facilities
Engineering Command Headquarters
Yes Yes Yes Yes
Chairman, Armed Services Board of Contract
Appeals
Yes Yes Yes No
Commanding Officer or Executive Officer and
the Head of an Activity of the Department of
the Navy
Yes Yes Yes Yes
Director, Assistant Director, and Recruiting
Representative of OCONUS and Return
Placement Staff
No Yes No No
Director of Civilian Personnel and Industrial
Relations Officer
No Yes Yes No
Industrial Relations Officer and the Director
of Industrial Relations Divisions in all MSC
Commands and each Military Sealift
Command Recruiting Representative
Yes Yes Yes Yes
Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent of
the Dependents Schooling Office, Atlantic
No Yes No No
Deputy Assistant Director for Career Services,
Naval Investigative Service Headquarters
No Yes Yes No
C. Air Force Requirements to Delegate Authority.
1. Travel orders for a TDY are subject to advance notification, clearance requirements, and
restrictions in Air Force Instruction 31-501, “Personnel Security Program Management.”
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2. An official authorized to issue a TDY travel order or an ITA may delegate in writing to a
subordinate official the authority to sign an order “by direction.”
Table 3. Air Force Delegation of Authority for Issuing Travel Orders
AO
Type of Travel
TDY PDT ITA
Secretary of the
Air Force
Prior authorization by the Administrative
Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force
is required to issue a blanket TDY travel
authorization for a civilian employee of the
Office of the Secretary of the Air Force.*
Responsibility
for issuing a
PCS travel
order belongs
to a
commander
who has
received
delegated
authority to fill
positions, a
commander
who is
responsible for
filling
requisitions and
processing
appointments
OCONUS, the
commander of
an activity in
which one
individual is
employed, or
the commander
of a gaining
activity, as
appropriate,
with regard to
the PCS travel
type involved.
Refer to
paragraph C2
in, “Delegation
of Authority.”
Chief of Staff,
U.S. Air Force
Prior authorization is required to issue a
blanket TDY travel authorization for a
Headquarters, U.S. Air Force civilian
employee.*
Commander,
Major Air
Command, FOA,
DRU
Authority to issue a blanket travel order
may be re-delegated to a subordinate
command. Prior authorization is required
for a blanket TDY travel order. The order
may be for a specific project, period of
time, or without limitation—other than the
fiscal year
—
when justified.*
Commander,
Intermediate
Echelon
Prior authorization is required for each of
the following:
A TDY for 181 or more days. This
authority may be re-delegated to a
subordinate command.
To issue a blanket TDY travel order.
The order may be for a specific project,
period of time, or without limitation—
other than the fiscal year—when
justified. This authority may be re-
delegated to
a subordinate command
.
*
When delegated
by the
responsible
major air
command.
Commander,
Activity, Wing,
Group, or
Squadron
Commander,
North American
Air Defense
Command
Refer to paragraph C2 in, “Delegation of
Authority.”
Refer to
paragraph C2
in, “Delegation
of Authority.”
The Adjutant
General of a State
or Territory
Authority to issue a travel order other than for invitational
travel applies only to Air National Guard civilian technicians.
*A blanket travel order is not used in DTS.
Required Forms to Complete Travel Order
A. Temporary Duty Travel. Use the DD Form 1610 (Request and Authorization for TDY Travel
of DoD Personnel) for all official TDY travel and as indicated in Section 1.
B. Permanent Duty Travel. Use DD Form 1614 (Request and Authorization for DoD Civilian
Permanent Duty or Temporary Change of Station (TCS) Travel) as a request and order for all official
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travel by a civilian employee and family on a PCS or TCS order. Instructions for completing DD Form
1614 are on the DTMO website. DD Form 1614 cannot be used for a contractor’s travel.
Preparing a Travel Order
In addition to the provisions in Section 1, complete the following steps when preparing a travel order
for a DoD civilian employee.
A. Verify Civilian Employee’s Status. An administrative determination must be made in
accordance with civilian personnel policy about whether the civilian employee is in a duty, leave, or other
non-duty status (see DoDI 1400.25, Vol. 630). For a funded order to be issued, the civilian employee
must be in a duty status. When a civilian employee is in a leave status and a funded order is issued, he or
she enters a duty status to carry out the order (FTR § 301-71.108).
B. Number Each Travel Order. Each authorized issuing office must assign an identifying
number or symbol to each travel order and cite it as reference in related documents and records when
necessary. Order identification must be as specified in Service regulations.
C. Authorize by Seal or Signature. A travel order is “authorized” by affixing the AO’s seal or
signature. Authorization must include the printed name and title. It must also include a written,
facsimile, or electronic signature, or a seal. An electronic signature must meet the security and privacy
requirements established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology for electronic data
interchange. The electronic signature can be digital, as discussed by the Comptroller General in B-
261647, June 26, 1995, when it meets all of the following requirements (FTR § 301-71.3):
1. It is unique to the signer.
2. It is under the signer’s sole control.
3. It is capable of being verified.
4. It is linked to the data in such a manner that if the data is changed, the signature is
invalidated.
D. Address Conflicts with the JTR. A written order should also include notice that if the order
conflicts with the JTR, the JTR policy governs (CBCA 2143-RELO, January 11, 2011).
E. Identify Commercial Transportation Use. On the travel order, state the commercial
transportation use for PDT OCONUS and renewal agreement travel (RAT) when commercial
transportation methods are authorized for any portion of the journey to, from, or between stations
OCONUS, in connection with initial appointment, reassignment, transfer, or RAT. The office processing
the appointment, transfer, or RAT order must request the Transportation Officer place an endorsement on
a copy of the civilian employee’s travel order.
1. The endorsement must include the civilian employee’s name, the civilian employee’s
grade or rating, the issue date, the points between which transportation is furnished at Government
expense, and the serial numbers of the transportation requests issued for the travel.
2. The endorsed copy is placed in the civilian employee’s official personnel folder.
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F. Provide Copies for Distribution. The required number of copies of a travel order for
distribution depends on the circumstances and the Service organization concerned. In addition to the
original and copies that a traveler may be required to submit with a travel claim (see financial
management regulations), the traveler must be furnished sufficient copies to support all of the following,
as necessary:
1. Issuance of Government-procured transportation.
2. Travel advances.
3. Household goods (HHG) transportation and storage.
4. Transportation of unaccompanied dependents.
5. Transportation by Military Sealift Command.
6. Transportation by Air Mobility Command.
7. Immunizations and inoculations, passport, visa, and green cards (see the JTR, Section
0204).
8. Administrative requirements, including for a record in the civilian employee’s personnel
folder, for PCS travel OCONUS.
G. Include Standard Content on Travel Orders. A travel order that does not have a box to check
for a particular allowance must include a statement authorizing the allowance. In addition to the standard
content in Section 1, the following information must be included on each travel order (FTR § 301-10.5).
A statement that the civilian employee is authorized to travel as well as the following specific language in
applicable circumstances:
1. A statement that “The Travel and Transportation Reform Act (TTRA) of 1998 stipulates
that the Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC) must be used by all U.S. Government personnel
(civilian and military) to pay for costs incurred for official business travel unless specifically exempted by
the authority of the [Choose either the “Administrator of the General Services Administration” or the
official title of the person who heads the traveler’s Agency].” This statement is required whether or not
the traveler holds a GTCC IBA.
2. A statement indicating that using a TMC to arrange official travel is mandatory. If a TMC
is not available or is not being used, the travel order must include the details explaining why. Each DoD
Component has a contractual arrangement with a TMC requiring that all official transportation be
arranged through the TMC, if the TMC can provide the required official transportation arrangements.
3. A statement indicating that available GSA City Pair Program airfare should be used for
official travel unless one of the five exceptions for the use of a City Pair Program contract carrier applies
(see the DTMO website). The travel order must include a detailed explanation on why the City Pair
Program airfare was not used. For example, “Space on a scheduled contract flight is not available in time
to accomplish the travel purpose.”
4. If circuitous travel is authorized, a statement about whether it is for official or personal
reasons. All travel locations must be clearly identified as either official or personal, as applicable. State
that the traveler is financially responsible for any excess cost.
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5. A statement that if the order conflicts with the JTR, the JTR prevails (CBCA 2143-RELO,
January 11, 2011).
6 A statement justifying that alternate means, such as secure video-teleconference or other
web-based communication, is insufficient to accomplish travel objectives.
H. Consider Circumstances of Assignment. When a civilian employee is on a TDY order, a DoD
Component must carefully review the circumstances of his or her TDY assignment before issuing a PCS
notification to avoid imposing TDY per diem costs on the civilian employee. A civilian employee should
be permitted to complete a TDY assignment and then return to the PDS from the TDY location to arrange
for a residence sale, dependent transportation, and HHG transportation before performing PCS travel to
the new PDS and reporting for duty on the PCS effective date. Refer to the JTR, Chapter 2 for the impact
on per diem when a TDY location becomes a PDS.
I. Obtain or Provide Specific Authorization or Specific Approval. All of the following travel
arrangements or details require specific authorization before travel begins or specific approval after travel
ends (FTR § 301-2.5):
1. Use of premium-class service on an airplane, train, bus, or ship (see the JTR, paragraph
020206).
2. Use of extra-fare train service (see the JTR, paragraph 020206).
3. Use of a non-U.S. flag airplane or ship (see the JTR, paragraph 020206).
4. Estimated cost of travel. This applies to blanket travel orders, too. A blanket order should
include a cost estimate for the period covered.
5. That the civilian employee is authorized to travel.
6. That return travel is authorized during a long-term TDY, if that is the case. This travel is
an exception to the policy of scheduling travel during regular hours of duty. The travel order must state
that return travel to the PDS during a long-term TDY is authorized at Government expense, or it can be
approved after travel is performed with an amendment to the travel order or on a travel voucher.
However, the authorized return should be performed outside the civilian employee’s regular duty hours or
during authorized leave periods.
J. Make Advance Arrangements. All of the following travel arrangements require either a
written or an electronic advance order:
1. Reimbursement limitations for travel by an unauthorized transportation mode or route
must be stated on the travel order under which a dependent travels.
2. Reduced per diem rate payment (see the JTR, paragraph 020308).
3. Acceptance of payment from a non-Federal source for travel expenses in accordance with
DoD 5500.7-R, “Joint Ethics Regulation (JER).”
4. Payment of travel expenses related to conference attendance.
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Specific Requirements Based on Type of DoD Civilian Travel
A. Sea Trial Travel Order. A travel order to participate in a sea trial is a specific type of TDY
order. One travel order may be issued for all civilian employees traveling together on a sea trial trip when
the only per diem authorized is the per diem payable while they are aboard the Government ship. A copy
of the travel order must be provided to each civilian employee concerned. The written travel order must
include:
1. The names of the civilian employees assigned to the particular sea trial trip.
2. Per diem authorization and rate.
3. Duty dates.
4. Accounting data.
B. Specific Order Requirements for PCS Travel. Table 4 specifies order requirements for a
civilian employee’s PCS travel. Table 5 specifies additional requirements based on the location of a
civilian employee’s PCS travel. A travel order to the first PDS must contain the same basic information
specified in Tables 5 and 6 and state that the travel type is “travel to first duty station (5 U.S.C. § 5723).”
Unless TDY en route is specified on the PCS order, conditions and instructions that obviously are
applicable only for TDY travel, including security clearance, should be omitted.
Table 4. Specific Order Requirements for All Civilian PCS Travel
Mandatory Order Requirements Order Requirements, When Applicable
A travel order must state the specific allowances
authorized and any additional procedures that the
civilian employee must follow (FTR § 302-2.104).
A PCS travel order must always include the
following:
The travel type is “PCS travel.”
The name and location of the old PDS.
The name and location of the new PDS.
The reporting date at the new PDS.
The maximum HHG weight the civilian
employee may transport. Include all of the
following:
o Authorization for storage in transit (SIT).
o Origin and destination of the HHG
shipment when it is different from the
civilian employee’s destination.
o The transportation method and whether
the HHG shipment will be reimbursed:
To the traveler based on the
commuted rate schedule.
To the shipper by Government bill of
lading.
To the traveler for the actual expense
incurred (arranged by the civilian
employee with reimbursement limited
The name and relationship of each eligible
dependent who is authorized to travel and
each child’s birth date.
Whether a dependent is accompanying the
civilian employee or traveling separately. If
traveling separately, then when and by which
transportation mode, if known, and each
dependent’s travel origin and destination point
when it is different from the civilian
employee’s destination.
Authorization for transporting excess
accompanied baggage in accordance with
Service or Agency regulations. The statement
should advise the traveler that he or she
should be financially prepared to pay any
charges for excess accompanied baggage and
will be reimbursed after travel is completed.
Unauthorized excess accompanied baggage
can be approved after travel begins with an
amendment to the order.
That a service agreement has been signed.
Authorization for a temporary quarters
subsistence expense (TQSE) allowance, if
necessary, for the civilian employee,
dependent, or both. Specify whether the
TQSE type is “actual expense”
(TQSE(AE))
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to the cost of a Government-arranged
move).
o How the civilian employee intends to
fulfill the personal financial responsibility
for charges not allowed at Government
expense when HHG is shipped as part of a
Government-arranged move.
or “lump sum” and the number of days
authorized as specified in the JTR. Do not
reduce the number of TQSE(AE) days on an
order by the number of days authorized for a
house-hunting trip (HHT); any reduction is
taken when the travel voucher is computed.
Statement that “mobile home transportation is
in lieu of HHG transportation,” and list the
transportation method, how the mobile home
transportation will be reimbursed, and the
origin and destination points.
Whether a POV shipment is authorized.
Transfer from another Agency with no break
in service following return for separation after
satisfactorily completing an overseas tour.
Authorization for relocation services due to a
hardship situation and only if supported by
Agency policy. This must be documented on
the initial PCS travel order. When
authorization for relocation services is
contingent on certain conditions, state the
supporting authority and limitations in the
Remarks section
.
C. Additional PCS Order Requirements. In addition to the requirements for all PCS travel
orders, a travel order may require the information specified in Table 5 based on the location of the civilian
employee’s PCS travel.
Table 5. Additional Order Requirements based on Location of Civilian Employee’s PCS Travel
PCS Travel in the CONUS
PCS Travel OCONUS
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Authorization for one round trip for the
civilian employee, spouse, or both together to
seek a permanent residence, and specifying
the transportation mode, type of
reimbursement, and the maximum time
allowed for the trip.
Authorization for HHG non-temporary storage
due to a transfer or appointment to an isolated
PDS.
Authorization for reimbursement of real estate
and unexpired-lease expenses.
Authorization to use a POV for PCS travel.
Authorization for relocation services and a list
of which ones, such as “home sale,” “home-
marketing assistance,” or “home-finding
assistance.”
Authorization for the Home Marketing
Incentive Payment if earned in accordance
with the JTR, paragraph 054607, “Home
Marketing Incentive Payments (HMIP).”
That a reduction in force or function transfer
is due to base closure.
That use of more than two POVs within the
same household has been authorized or
approved for PCS through the Secretarial
Process.
Specify that the purpose is reassignment
between two PDSs, initial appointment to a
PDS OCONUS, round-trip RAT, separation,
or advance-return travel.
The actual residence, as appropriate.
The duration in days if delay or leave en route
is authorized.
The transportation modes. Circuitous route
travel for personal reasons may not be
authorized at Government expense.
The prohibition of the use of commercial
transportation modes when Government
transportation facilities make the travel
reservations.
The maximum HHG weight the civilian
employee may transport or store along with
the following:
o Any weight limitation imposed by the
OCONUS command.
o The weight allowance for authorized
consumables.
o That concurrent, delayed, or partial
shipment is authorized if assignment is to
a PDS OCONUS.
That concurrent movement of dependents and
HHG to a PDS OCONUS is prohibited by
command authority.
An alternate travel origin or destination point
allowed in the JTR. The order must state that
the Government’s travel and transportation
cost is limited to the cost of authorized
transportation modes taking the usual route to
the PDS OCONUS from the actual residence
or from the old PDS.
Authorization for ocean-going car ferries.
Authorization for property management
services.
Authorization of temporary quarter
subsistence allowance or foreign transfer
allowance
.
D. Renewal Agreement Travel (RAT). In addition to the requirements for all PCS OCONUS
travel orders, a travel order for RAT OCONUS must add that it is PCS travel “for RAT” and must include
the following additional requirements:
1. Authorization for travel from the PDS OCONUS to the actual residence, or specified
alternate location, and return to the PDS OCONUS.
2. The number of leave days granted.
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3. That “This civilian employee completed the minimum period of service for this command
and signed a new eligibility renewal agreement on [date].”
4. The applicable accounting classification citations and information.
5. The reporting date for duty at the PDS OCONUS following the RAT.
6. Weight limits for accompanied baggage.
7. Authorization of HHG temporary storage, if applicable.
8. Specific instructions about where, when, and how to submit passports and requests for re-
validation, renewal, or visas.
9. Instructions about arranging for port notification for return travel, and when and where the
traveler must be available for receiving a port call.
D. Temporary Change of Station (TCS). Table 6 specifies order requirements for a civilian
employee’s TCS travel.
Table 6. All Civilian TCS Travel
Mandatory Order Requirements Order Requirements, When Applicable
All of the following TCS require a separate
travel order:
o Assigning the civilian employee from the
PDS to a TCS location.
o Returning the civilian employee from the
TCS location to the PDS.
o Returning the civilian employee from the
TCS location to the PDS if the TCS
location becomes the civilian employee’s
new PDS.
o Assigning the TCS location as the new
PDS.
o Authorizing the civilian employee to
return to the former PDS.
Each travel order must reference any prior,
related TCS travel order.
A TCS travel order must contain the same
information specified in Table 4 and state:
o The specific allowances and procedures
authorized in the JTR.
o That the travel type is “Temporary
Change of Station (TCS) travel.”
o That the purpose is assignment to the TCS
location, return from the TCS location,
changing the TCS location to a new PDS,
or return to the former PDS when the TCS
location becomes a PDS.
o The name and location of the PDS.
o
The
TCS
location and the station’s name
.
The name and relationship of each eligible
dependent who is authorized to travel and
each child’s birth date.
Whether a dependent is accompanying the
civilian employee or traveling separately. If
traveling separately, then when and by which
transportation mode, if known, and each
dependent’s travel origin and destination point
when it is different from the civilian
employee’s destination.
Authorization for transporting excess
accompanied baggage in accordance with
Service or Agency regulations. The statement
should advise travelers that they should be
financially prepared to pay any charges for
excess accompanied baggage and will be
reimbursed after travel is completed.
Unauthorized excess accompanied baggage
can be approved after travel begins with an
amendment to the order.
Authorization of HHT. Specify the
transportation mode, whether the
reimbursement type is “actual expense” or
“lump sum,” and the maximum time allowed.
Authorization for a TQSE allowance, if
necessary, for the civilian employee,
dependent, or both. Specify whether the
TQSE type is “actual expense” or “lump sum”
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o The reporting date at the TCS location or
PDS.
The maximum HHG weight the civilian
employee may transport. Include all of the
following:
o Authorization for SIT.
o Origin and destination of the HHG
shipment when it is different from the
civilian employee’s destination.
o The transportation method and whether
the HHG shipment will be reimbursed:
To the traveler based on the
commuted rate schedule.
To the shipper by Government bill of
lading.
To the traveler for the actual expense
incurred (arranged by the civilian
employee with reimbursement limited
to the cost of a Government-arranged
move).
o How the civilian employee intends to
fulfill the personal financial responsibility
for charges not allowed at Government
expense when HHG is shipped as part of a
Government
-
arranged move.
and the number of days authorized as
specified in the JTR.
For TCS travel OCONUS, include:
o The number of days if delay or leave en
route is authorized.
o The transportation modes.
o The prohibition of the use of commercial
transportation modes when Government
transportation facilities make the travel
reservations.
o Any HHG limitation imposed by the PDS
OCONUS and whether concurrent,
delayed, or partial shipment is authorized.
o That concurrent movement of a dependent
and HHG to a PDS OCONUS is
prohibited by command authority.
o Authorization of POV shipment.
o Authorization for property management
services.
Amending a DoD Civilian Travel Order
A. Amendment to a Travel Order. Amendments to a DoD civilian employee’s travel order
follow the same provisions as in Section 1 in addition to the requirements in Section 3.
B. Reasons for Issuing an Amendment. An amended order may be issued for any of the
following reasons:
1. To recognize an essential aspect of travel not known in advance.
2. To change the time period or place of a TDY assignment.
3. To include omitted pertinent information.
4. To change allowances for unperformed travel or duty.
5. To correct erroneous information or clerical errors that do not affect reimbursement
retroactively.
C. Effect of Amendment on Allowances. The effective date of the amendment is the issuance
date unless a later date is specified. An amendment that changes an allowance amount should be made
effective on a date that a civilian employee may be reasonably expected to receive the amendment.
Otherwise, advance notification of the effective date should be furnished to the civilian employee
concerned.
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D. How to Amend a Travel Order. The AO amends a travel order by issuing an official
document citing the original travel order by number and stating the effective date, pertinent changes,
additions, and deletions. The amendment is normally issued using the same standard form as the original
travel order (DD Form 1610 or DD Form 1614) and states that it is an “amendment.”
E. Rescinding a Travel Order. A travel order may be rescinded when authorized travel is not
performed. An unused travel order must be returned promptly to the AO with an appropriate explanation.
That official must have the travel order canceled and a copy of the cancellation furnished to the officials
as required by Service regulations.
1. A travel order cannot be rescinded if a civilian employee has traveled or incurred expenses
that must be reimbursed under the issued order (GSBCA 15647-RELO, September 20, 2001).
2. Incurred expenses initiated by the civilian employee based on an anticipated travel order
are not reimbursable (CBCA 1370-RELO, January 22, 2009).
SECTION 4: INVITATIONAL TRAVEL AUTHORIZATIONS
A. Issuing an Invitational Travel Authorizations (ITA). An ITA is issued to allow an individual
who is not a Government civilian employee or a Service member to travel using Government funds. An
example of an ITA is on the DTMO website. An ITA, DD Form 1610, or DD Form 1614 may not be
used to authorize travel and transportation for a contractor or a contractor’s employee to travel in the
performance of a contract. Refer to the JTR, Section 0305.
B. ITA Content: An ITA must state that it is for ‘Invitational Travel,” and must include the
following:
1. Requested or approved travel date.
2. Traveler’s name and home address
3. Traveler’s position title, employer, and business address, if applicable.
4. Date travel begins.
5. Number of assignment days.
6. Assignment purpose.
7. Locations where travel begins and ends.
8. Location of the assignment or an itinerary.
9. Authorized transportation modes.
10. Authorized travel allowances, conditions, limitations, and instructions.
11. Full name, title, and signature of the AO or travel-directing official
12 Accounting citation.
