# Travel Regulations for Defense Agencies, JTR Course (PCS Only) Canonical URL: ## Overview Learn the current rules and regulations for permanent change of station (PCS) travel for civilian employees in the Department of Defense (DoD) from expert instructors. Civilian employees are covered by the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR). Students will learn the rules for PCS Service Agreements, travel authorizations, use of Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC), per diem and transportation allowances, international and en route travel, house hunting trips, temporary quarters subsistence expense, household goods movement, shipment of privately owned vehicles (POVs), residential transactions, miscellaneous expense allowance, relocation income tax allowance, and more. ## What you'll learn - Comply with current Defense Civilian Personnel, Joint Travel Regulations (JTR). - Define and describe travel orders and requirements for moving civilian personnel performing permanent change of station (PCS) moves. - Identify and compute allowances and entitlements for civilian personnel who are performing PCS moves. - Calculate per diem entitlements, reimbursable expenses, and allowances for PCS moves and reimbursements in all situations. - Describe and utilize the JTR for the movement of household goods, house hunting trips, mobile home allowances, transporting and storing privately owned vehicles (POV's), and residence transactions. - Assist civilian employees in resolving complex travel problems. - Apply the requirements as stated in the JTR to determine allowable PCS expenses and travel-related entitlements. ## Curriculum #### Module 1: Introduction to Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) - Overview of the Joint Travel Regulations and their role in defense agency PCS travel. - Define key terms and concepts relevant to PCS entitlements and allowances. - Explain the structure and authority of the JTR within DoD travel policy. #### Module 2: Service Agreements - Understand the purpose and legal requirements of PCS service agreements. - Identify standard provisions and conditions for service obligations. - Review exceptions, waivers, and consequences for non-compliance. #### Module 3: Permanent Change of Station and PCS Orders - Explain the PCS order process from authorization to issuance. - Identify required documentation and order elements for valid PCS travel. - Understand the relationship between PCS orders and entitlements. #### Module 4: PCS Per Diem and Travel Rules - Define per diem rates and eligibility for PCS travel. - Apply travel day computation rules and limitations. - Understand special provisions for dependents and concurrent travel. #### Module 5: House-Hunting Trips (HHT) - Review eligibility requirements and authorization procedures for HHT. - Identify reimbursable expenses and time limitations. - Understand rules for dependent participation in HHT. #### Module 6: Allowance for Temporary Quarters Subsistence Expenses (TQSE) - Differentiate between TQSE Actual Expense Method (AEM) and Lump Sum Method (LSM). - Review eligibility, allowable expenses, and duration limits. - Understand authorization and payment procedures for TQSE. #### Module 7: Allowances for Foreign OCONUS PCS - Explain additional allowances and benefits for OCONUS PCS assignments. - Review foreign transfer allowance and separate maintenance allowance. - Understand rules for shipment of goods and dependents to foreign duty stations. #### Module 8: Household Goods Movement - Identify authorized shipment methods and weight allowances. - Understand procedures for arranging and documenting shipments. - Review storage-in-transit policies and limitations. #### Module 9: Household Goods Storage - Differentiate between temporary and non-temporary storage entitlements. - Understand authorization requirements for each storage type. - Review cost limitations and duration allowances. #### Module 10: Mobile Home Allowances - Identify eligibility requirements for mobile home transportation allowances. - Review reimbursement rates and cost limitations. - Understand special rules for moving mobile homes across OCONUS locations. #### Module 11: POV Transportation - Explain rules for shipping privately owned vehicles during PCS. - Identify eligibility and authorized shipment points. - Review reimbursement procedures for POV transportation. #### Module 12: Residence Transactions - Understand reimbursement policies for selling and purchasing residences during PCS. - Review allowable closing costs and restrictions. - Identify documentation requirements for reimbursement. #### Module 13: Miscellaneous Expense Allowances - Define allowable miscellaneous PCS expenses. - Review flat rate allowances and supporting documentation requirements. - Understand limits and exclusions for reimbursement. #### Module 14: Relocation Income Tax Allowance - Explain the purpose and calculation of relocation income tax allowances. - Identify applicable tax rates and eligible expenses. - Understand payment and reporting procedures. #### Module 15: Temporary Change of Station - Define Temporary Change of Station (TCS) and its difference from PCS. - Review eligibility criteria and allowable expenses. - Understand rules for return travel and allowances upon TCS completion. ## Schedule - Jun 22, 2026 – Jun 24, 2026 — Live Online - Jul 6, 2026 – Jul 8, 2026 — Live Online - Aug 10, 2026 – Aug 12, 2026 — Live Online - Sep 28, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026 — Live Online - Nov 4, 2026 – Nov 6, 2026 — Live Online - Dec 14, 2026 – Dec 16, 2026 — Live Online ## Instructors ### Alan B. Robinson — Instructor Mr. Robinson is a seasoned legal and federal employment expert with over two decades of experience. He recently retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, where he spent 11 years as Deputy Director/Director for the Office of Outreach, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity (ODEO) and 8 years as Chief of Employee and Labor Relations. In these roles, he provided extensive guidance on federal employment matters, showcasing his deep expertise in labor relations and diversity initiatives. A graduate of the University of Virginia with a B.A. in Government, Mr. Robinson earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Maryland School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Before his federal service, he built a robust legal career, starting as a law clerk for the Baltimore City Orphan’s Court, followed by 10 years as a civil defense litigator with a D.C. law firm, and later operating his own solo practice for 5 years. His private practice focused on representing federal agencies, employees, municipalities, and private entities in employment-related cases before the EEOC, Merit Systems Protection Board, and various courts. Currently, Mr. Robinson shares his wealth of knowledge as an adjunct instructor with the Graduate School USA and serves as a registered arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). His extensive background in law, federal employment, and diversity makes him a valuable resource in his field. ### Kent Miller — Instructor Kent D. Miller, Jr., MBA, CDFM-A, is a highly accomplished financial management expert and educator with over 40 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. A retired U.S. Army officer, Kent has held leadership roles such as Controller/CFO for the U.S. Army Missile Command and Program Manager/Financial Analyst for the Assistant Secretary of the Army. His expertise spans budgeting, cost analysis, managerial accounting, and financial systems implementation. Notably, he managed a $9 billion organization, supervised a financial staff of 150, and developed funding requirements and congressional testimony for senior Army leadership. Kent’s career also includes consulting and training, where he has developed over 50 courses and taught more than 20,000 students from federal agencies and contractors. As an adjunct instructor at Graduate School USA since 2005, Kent specializes in financial management training for federal employees. His courses cover a wide range of topics, including appropriations law, budget formulation and execution, and performance-based budgeting. Kent’s teaching is informed by his extensive experience in planning, programming, and budgeting, as well as his work in reengineering processes to achieve cost savings. He is also a Certified Defense Financial Manager with Acquisition Specialty (CDFM-A) and has been recognized for his leadership in professional organizations such as the Society of Defense Financial Management and the Association of Government Accountants. ### Alan McCain — Curriculum Program Manager Alan McCain is a retired combat veteran who served as both an Air Force enlisted member and a Navy officer. He brings over 30 years of experience spanning federal and commercial budgeting, auditing, programming, operations, global logistics support, supply chain and inventory management, as well as major IT acquisition. He possesses extensive, hands-on budget and audit experience across Federal, State, and Local government operations, including work within the Executive Office of the President and the Departments of State, Defense, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Education, as well as the Office of the Mayor of Washington, D.C., among others. Alan’s consulting background includes strategic planning and business development with the District of Columbia government, multiple federal agencies, Lockheed Martin, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. He is a Certified Government/Defense Financial Manager (CGFM/DFM), holds a Teaching Certification from Harvard University’s Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, and earned an Executive MBA in International Business from The George Washington University. ## Pricing **Tuition:** $1199