For those navigating official travel within the United States Department of Defense (DoD), understanding the Joint Travel Regulations is essential. These regulations, often referred to as the JTR, serve as the comprehensive guide for travel policies, ensuring правильность and законность in all travel-related activities funded by the DoD.
What are the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR)?
The Joint Travel Regulations are the unified set of rules governing per diem, travel and transportation allowances, relocation allowances, and other specific allowances for:
- Uniformed Services members of the United States
- DoD civilian employees
- Civilians traveling under DoD funding
Think of the JTR as the definitive resource that outlines what is permissible, what is required, and what allowances are provided when conducting official travel on behalf of the Department of Defense. It’s the go-to manual to ensure compliance and proper reimbursement for travel expenses.
The Evolution of Travel Regulations: From JFTR and JTR to One
Historically, there were two sets of regulations: the Joint Federal Travel Regulations (JFTR) and the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR). To streamline and simplify the process, October 1, 2014, marked a significant change. The JFTR and JTR officially merged into a single, consolidated document – the Joint Travel Regulations.
This consolidation was a strategic move to:
- Eliminate redundancies between the parallel regulations.
- Update outdated language and terms for clarity.
- Enhance accessibility and understanding for all travelers.
- Clearly differentiate allowances for uniformed members and civilians where applicable, while aligning common policies.
The result was a more manageable and user-friendly document, reducing the total page count significantly and making it easier for personnel to find the information they need.
Accessing the Joint Travel Regulations and Related Resources
The primary source for the Joint Travel Regulations is the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website. You can directly access the full JTR document in PDF format here: Joint Travel Regulations.
For supplemental guidance and detailed procedures related to payment of allowances authorized by the JTR, the Department of Defense Financial Management Regulation (DoD FMR), Volume 9: Travel Policy and Procedures, is a crucial resource. It applies broadly to all personnel on DoD-funded travel orders, including:
- Military members
- Reserve component members
- Civilian employees
- Dependents on official orders
- Invitational travelers authorized by the DoD
You can access the DoD FMR, Volume 9 here: DoD Financial Management Regulation, Volume 9.
Stay updated with the latest policy changes and clarifications by regularly checking the Travel Technical Messages.
For information regarding the appropriate use of the Government Sponsored Travel Card for official travel expenses, visit: Government Sponsored Travel Card.
Navigating joint travel regulations can seem complex, but utilizing these resources and understanding the key principles will ensure compliant and efficient official travel for DoD personnel and civilians alike.
Page Updated September 27, 2021
