Travel Policy Changes

Starting 1 Oct 14, there will be significant changes in authorized reimbursable expenses. The Joint Federal Travel Regulation (JFTR) and Joint Travel Regulation (JTR) has been merged and the changes have been made. In my opinion, the JFTR/JTR are very complicated to read and analyze. Here's a quick update from what I can see. Full details can be found here: (http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/news.cfm?ID=29).

BL: ATM Fees, CONUS laundry fees and transportation tips are now covered in the FY15 incidental rate and are no longer reimbursable.

Most customers tend to be very familiar with Appendix G of the JFTR and significant changes have been made to clarify what will be covered in the Incidental portion.

Starting 1 Nov 14, the long-term TDY rate has been significantly lowered. The reason behind significantly reducing the rates is quoted here.

"The commercial lodging industry considers stays greater than 30 days to be “extended stays” and typically offers reduced rates to ensure occupancy.  Travelers may also consider furnished apartments or similar types of lodging which are typically cheaper than room rates in commercial lodging.  Data analysis demonstrates the flat rate per diem adequately covers lodging, meals, and incidental expenses, more accurately reflecting actual costs incurred."

During times of fiscal constraints, it's important for the Department of Defense to identify cost savings but are these cost savings at the expense of travelers on mission-critical TDYs? What are your thoughts on this?

Discussion About Depoloyment Entitlements

***Please read bottom recommendation***

Deployments can be a stressful time for many people and their families but they also come with financial compensations; although, nothing can compensate for the loss time from your family.  The best economic advice is to save ALL the "extra" money and/or use it to reduce or eliminate your debt; however, the best realistic advice is to save SOME of it and then use the rest to help you and/or family emotionally recover by making a large purchase or traveling and spending time with the family.  That being said, here are the entitlements one could expect to receive depending on location deployed to.

·         Combat Tax Zone Exclusion (CTZE) - All enlisted and warrant officer pay is tax exempt in many deployed locations. Officer's pay is tax exempt up to the cost of the Service E-9 (Sergeant Major of the Army, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, etc.). This is not prorated and your whole month's pay is exempt even if you only spend one day in the deployed location.

·         Hostile Fire Pay/Imminent Danger Pay (HFP/IDP) – This is payable in an HFP/IDP authorized location and is $225 a month on a prorated basis—meaning a per day basis.

·         Hardship Duty Pay-Location (HDP-L) - This is payable for performing duties in a hardship duty location for more than 30 days and ranges from $50-$150 a month.

·         Basic Allowance for Sustenance (BAS) – For members currently receiving BAS, they will continue receiving BAS.  For members not currently receiving BAS, they will when they arrive at their deployed location. FY14 BAS rates are: for enlisted $357.55 and officers $246.24 a month.

·         Per Diem – Members receive $3.50 every day while deployed.

·         Family Separation Allowance (FSA) – Members who have approved dependants are authorized FSA and it is $250 a month on a prorated basis.

Again, these entitlements may not ease the burden of a deployment, but they do offer some financial compensation and may help improve lifestyles upon returning. So a typical Afghanistan deployment could easily yield over $1K extra a month shielded from taxes.

***NOTE*** - Please ensure you file your travel voucher within 5 days of returning from your deployment with your military finance office. Excess CTZE and BAS from not filing your travel voucher quickly gets collected back in a lump sum and is 99% of the reasons why your pay will be zeroed for one or more pay periods.  Your local military finance office can help mitigate these but your pay will not normalize for several months.  It is IMPERATIVE that you file your travel voucher and ensure it gets processed with your military finance office.