The Military Defense Travel System (DTS) is a crucial online platform designed to streamline and manage all aspects of official travel for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) personnel. Within this comprehensive system, users, primarily consisting of service members and civilian employees, can efficiently handle travel arrangements and expense management related to their official duties. DTS empowers users to search and book flights, hotels, and rental cars, ensuring compliance with government travel regulations while simplifying the often complex process of official travel.
Key Features of the Defense Travel System
The Defense Travel System offers a wide array of functionalities to facilitate seamless travel management. Users can readily access per diem rates for various locations, ensuring accurate budgeting and expense reporting. The system also allows for the creation and management of essential travel documents, including authorizations and vouchers, both for personal travel and, with appropriate permissions, for colleagues. Beyond booking and documentation, DTS serves as a central hub for managing personal travel profiles and preferences, streamlining future travel arrangements. For local travel needs, DTS supports the preparation of local travel vouchers. Furthermore, travelers can input and digitally sign trip details upon completion, and at any point, users can easily track the status of their authorizations and vouchers, providing transparency and control over their travel processes.
Policy and Regulations Governing DTS
The utilization of DTS is mandated for Temporary Duty Travel (TDY) as stipulated by DoD Instruction 5154.31, Volume 3. This policy underscores the system’s importance in managing official travel within the DoD. The DTS Regulations further detail user responsibilities, outlining the types of official travel documents generated within the system, financial considerations, and mandatory training requirements tailored to specific user roles. These regulations ensure accountability and proper utilization of the Defense Travel System across the DoD.
Access and Eligibility for DTS
Access to the Defense Travel System is essential for a range of DoD personnel, although specific types and circumstances of travel dictate its mandatory use. Primarily, Service Members and DoD civilian employees, along with their dependents and invitational travelers, are authorized to use DTS for both local travel and TDY, including government-funded leave. It’s important to note that DTS is generally not designed for Permanent Duty Travel (PDT). Conversely, most government contractors and nonappropriated funds government employees are typically restricted from accessing DTS, highlighting its focus on direct DoD personnel.
Getting Started with DTS: First-Time Access
For individuals new to the system, gaining initial access to DTS involves a few key steps. Firstly, ensuring web browser compatibility is crucial for optimal system performance. Secondly, obtaining a digital Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificate is a prerequisite for secure access. Finally, new users are required to contact their designated Defense Travel Administrator (DTA) to initiate account setup. The DTA plays a vital role in local-level travel assistance and onboarding new users to the system.
Understanding User Profiles and Roles within DTS
Within the Defense Travel System, users are assigned either a “user profile” or a “user/traveler profile” based on their need to undertake official DoD travel. Each profile is linked to a specific user role, defining the user’s responsibilities and system permissions. Chapter 3 of the Defense Travel Administrator Manual provides comprehensive details on these user roles and their associated responsibilities, offering valuable guidance for navigating the DTS environment effectively and understanding individual user accountabilities within the Military Defense Travel System framework.
