# Travel Regulations for Defense Agencies, JTR Course (TDY and PCS) Canonical URL: ## Overview This course covers the rules and regulations for both temporary duty (TDY) travel and permanent change of station (PCS) travel in the Department of Defense (DoD). Regarding TDY travel, participants will learn the rules for travel authorizations, use of Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC), per diem, transportation and reimbursable allowances, contract (city-pair) discounted airfares, deductible meals, Government lodging and mess availability and non-availability, international travel, actual expense allowances for high cost areas, and more. Regarding PCS travel, participants will learn the rules for PCS Service Agreements, travel authorizations, use of Government Travel Charge Card (CTCC), per diem and transportation allowances, international 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 Joint Travel Regulations (JTR). - Define and describe the requirements for travel orders and settlement vouchers while performing TDY for DoD agencies. - Define and describe the requirements for Service Agreements, travel orders, and requirements for civilian personnel performing PCS moves for DoD agencies. - Identify and compute allowances and entitlements for uniformed and civilian personnel who are performing TDY and for civilian personnel who are performing PCS moves for DoD agencies. - Determine when per diem allowance is authorized and under what circumstances allowance is not authorized. - Calculate per diem entitlements, reimbursable expenses, and allowances for both TDY and PCS reimbursements. - Assist uniformed and civilian personnel in the DoD with resolving complex travel problems. ## Prerequisites Participants should have prior experience managing JTR travel, including creating and approving travel authorizations and vouchers, certifying funds availability, and handling related entitlements. This is an intensive five-day course, and those without such experience may find it overwhelming. ## Curriculum #### Module 1: Introduction to Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) - Overview of the JTR and its role in governing defense agency travel policies. - Define common terms and entitlements in PCS and TDY travel. - Understand the legal authority and structure of the JTR within DoD regulations. #### Module 2: Service Agreements (PCS) - Purpose and legal requirements of PCS service agreements. - Standard provisions, conditions, and service obligations. - Exceptions, waivers, and consequences for non-compliance. #### Module 3: Permanent Change of Station and PCS Orders - Authorization process and issuance of PCS orders. - Required documentation and elements of valid PCS orders. - Connection between PCS orders and travel entitlements. #### Module 4: PCS Per Diem and Travel Rules - Per diem rates and eligibility for PCS travel. - Computation of travel days and applicable limitations. - Special provisions for dependents and concurrent travel. #### Module 5: House-Hunting Trips (HHT) - Eligibility requirements and authorization procedures for HHT. - Reimbursable expenses and time limitations. - Rules for dependent participation in HHT. #### Module 6: Allowance for Temporary Quarters Subsistence Expenses (TQSE) - Differences between Actual Expense Method (AEM) and Lump Sum Method (LSM). - Eligibility, allowable expenses, and duration limits. - Authorization and payment procedures. #### Module 7: Allowances for Foreign OCONUS PCS - Additional allowances and benefits for OCONUS PCS assignments. - Foreign transfer and separate maintenance allowances. - Rules for shipment of goods and dependents to foreign stations. #### Module 8: Household Goods Movement - Authorized shipment methods and weight allowances. - Procedures for arranging and documenting shipments. - Storage-in-transit policies and limitations. #### Module 9: Household Goods Storage - Differences between temporary and non-temporary storage. - Authorization requirements and cost limitations. - Duration allowances and exceptions. #### Module 10: Mobile Home Allowances - Eligibility for mobile home transportation allowances. - Reimbursement rates and cost restrictions. - Special rules for OCONUS moves. #### Module 11: POV Transportation - Rules for shipping privately owned vehicles during PCS. - Eligibility and authorized shipment points. - Reimbursement procedures and limitations. #### Module 12: Residence Transactions - Reimbursement for selling and purchasing residences during PCS. - Allowable closing costs and restrictions. - Required documentation for reimbursement claims. #### Module 13: Miscellaneous Expense Allowances - Allowable miscellaneous PCS expenses. - Flat rate allowances and required documentation. - Exclusions and limits for reimbursement. #### Module 14: Relocation Income Tax Allowance - Purpose and calculation of relocation income tax allowances. - Applicable tax rates and eligible expenses. - Payment and reporting procedures. #### Module 15: Temporary Change of Station (TCS) - Definition and distinction from PCS. - Eligibility criteria and allowable expenses. - Rules for return travel and allowances upon completion. #### Module 16: TDY Travel Orders - Purpose, content, and issuance of TDY orders. - Required authorizations and documentation. - Modifications and amendments to TDY orders. #### Module 17: Government Travel Charge Card and TDY Advances - Use and management of the Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC). - Procedures for requesting and receiving TDY travel advances. - Compliance and repayment requirements. #### Module 18: TDY Per Diem Rules - Per diem eligibility and rate structures for TDY travel. - Travel day computations and partial per diem rules. - Special allowances for long-term TDY assignments. #### Module 19: Transportation by Airplane - Booking requirements and authorized carriers. - Use of City Pair Program and cost considerations. - Upgrades, baggage allowances, and exceptions. #### Module 20: Transportation by Other Modes - Policies for rail, bus, rental car, and POV use during TDY. - Reimbursement procedures for each mode. - Restrictions and documentation requirements. #### Module 21: Reimbursable Expenses - List of allowable incidental and travel-related expenses. - Documentation and justification standards. - Limitations and common disallowed costs. #### Module 22: Deductible Meals and Staying in Government Lodging - Rules for meal deductions when provided by the government. - Policies on mandatory use of government lodging. - Exceptions and waivers for lodging requirements. #### Module 23: TDY Options and Exceptions - Special TDY arrangements such as local travel and training TDY. - Alternative travel options and reduced reimbursement scenarios. - Policy exceptions and approval requirements. #### Module 24: Conferences, Time and Leave Limits on TDY - Travel policies for conferences and training events. - Time and leave limitations during TDY assignments. - Documentation and approval of extended stays. #### Module 25: Actual Expense Allowance (AEA) - Eligibility and approval process for AEA. - Documentation of expenses exceeding per diem limits. - Calculation and payment of actual expenses. #### Module 26: Emergency Travel While TDY - Procedures for authorizing and funding emergency travel. - Eligibility criteria and allowable expenses. - Coordination with agency travel and finance offices. ## 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:** $1849