Navigating military travel can seem complex, but submitting your Army Travel Voucher, also known as DD Form 1351-2, doesn’t have to be. This guide simplifies the process, ensuring you get reimbursed accurately and efficiently for your travel expenses. By following these straightforward steps, you can confidently submit your claim and focus on your mission.
Step-by-Step Guide to Submitting Your Army Travel Voucher
Submitting your army travel voucher is a crucial part of any official travel. To ensure a smooth and timely reimbursement, preparation is key. Here’s a breakdown of the process into three manageable steps:
1. Gather Your Essential Documents
Before you begin filling out any forms, collecting the necessary documents is the first crucial step in submitting your army travel voucher. Think of these documents as the foundation of your claim. Your travel orders are paramount; they are not uniform and contain specifics that dictate your entitlements, duration at a location, and authorized destinations. Your itinerary, crucial for your voucher, is detailed within these orders.
To understand more about what you are entitled to based on your orders, you can visit the Army TDY – Service Status Selection page for more information.
2. Prepare Your DD Form 1351-2 and Supporting Documents
Once you have gathered all necessary documents, the next step is to complete the DD Form 1351-2. This form is the official army travel voucher document. Accurate completion is essential to avoid processing delays. Along with the form, you need to attach all supporting documentation. For a comprehensive list of documents you might need, refer to the Travel Forms page.
You can access and download the DD Form 1351-2 here.
To access the DD Form 1351-2, you might need to right-click the link and choose “Save link as” or “Download linked file” to save it to your computer before filling it out.
For detailed instructions on how to accurately complete the DD Form 1351-2, helpful guidance is available here. This resource will walk you through each section, ensuring you provide all the necessary information correctly.
3. Apply – Choose Your Submission Method
After completing the DD Form 1351-2 and gathering all supporting documents, the final step is to submit your army travel voucher. Before submitting, double-check that all required signatures and dates are on the form. Missing signatures or dates are common reasons for delays.
The submission location depends on your travel status and the systems used for your travel arrangements. Choosing the correct submission method is critical to prevent delays caused by routing your claim to the wrong office. The next section outlines the different submission methods available.
Where to Submit Your Army Travel Voucher
Submitting your army travel voucher to the correct location is vital for timely processing and payment. Sending your claim to the wrong office can significantly delay reimbursement as it needs to be forwarded to the appropriate department. Here’s a guide to help you determine the correct submission method based on your travel arrangements:
SmartVoucher
SmartVoucher is a user-friendly online tool designed to simplify the army travel voucher process. It guides you through a series of questions and automatically generates a completed DD Form 1351-2 based on your answers.
Who Can Use SmartVoucher:
SmartVoucher is ideal for travelers who are not using the Defense Travel System (DTS) for their travel vouchers.
How to Get Started with SmartVoucher:
- Go to SmartVoucher.
- Log in using your CAC (Common Access Card) or myPay UserID and password.
- Select “Create New Voucher” and follow the on-screen prompts to complete your voucher.
Defense Travel System (DTS)
The Defense Travel System (DTS) is a comprehensive system used for managing all aspects of TDY (Temporary Duty) travel. DTS automates the entire process, from authorization and reservation booking to voucher creation and payment. For those using DTS, vouchers are processed and approved within the system.
Who Can Use DTS:
Generally, Active Duty Army, Reserve, and National Guard personnel on TDY are required to use DTS, unless their assignment is in a combat zone or a designated hazardous duty area.
How to Get Started with DTS:
To begin using DTS, contact your supervisor to identify your organization’s Defense Travel Administrator (DTA). Your DTA is responsible for registering you in the system and providing organization-specific guidance.
For all DTS-related questions or issues, your primary point of contact is your Lead Defense Travel Administrator. If you are unsure who this is, consult your supervisor.
Other Submission Methods
For situations where SmartVoucher or DTS are not applicable, DFAS (Defense Finance and Accounting Service) offers alternative submission methods.
Travel Voucher Direct
Travel Voucher Direct allows you to upload your army travel voucher and supporting documents electronically. This method is available for all travel claims paid by DFAS, excluding those processed through DTS. You can upload up to three files, each with a maximum size of 5MB.
Submission for Specific Duty Types
Depending on your duty type, there are specific submission addresses. These include categories such as:
- Active Duty Training Orders
- Initial Active Duty Training Orders
- Active Duty for Operational Support Reserve Component
- Active Duty Deployment
- Casualty Travel Vouchers
For Casualty Travel Vouchers, submissions should be directed to:
DFAS-IN/Casualty Travel (JFA)
8899 E. 56th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46249
For any further questions or to return to the Army TDY homepage, please visit Army TDY Homepage.
Page Updated: Dec. 17, 2024
