Posted on Dec 6, 2017
Does the Army pay for hotels and travel if you live 100+ miles away from your Armory?
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Normally there is a room or bay for us to sleep in for Drill Weekends as traveling back home would be an undue burden upon our finances and vehicles as well as potentially dangerous committing to that drive multiple times. For our last Drill there was not a place available for us to sleep and we had to inconvenience other Soldiers and their families by taking up space in their homes.
NGB
Reserves
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 8
SPC (Join to see) , many units have what is called Lodging in Kind or LIK. This is a privilege and not a right per se as it’s availability is up to unit funding and command discretion. Independent Duty Travel or IDT is another option that is available while there is funding. However, at the end of the day, the army expects the soldier to be aware of the commitment of travel and what it entails. Check back through your enlistment docs - there should be a piece of paper that is an acknowledgement of being outside of normal commuting distance if your home of record is more than (“X”) miles away.
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SPC (Join to see)
Thank you, I'll look into those. Does LIK/IDT have to be arranged before hand, or can it be done after the fact? It's becoming a learning experience for all involved as the unit in question hasn't had much experience with guys living this far away. The commute isn't really an issue as that is easily planned around, the sleeping arrangements for this drill were the primary issue. Which while we realize it's not a common issue for our unit as there's always been a place to sleep before, it's something we want to have a plan for.
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SGT Dave Tracy
SPC (Join to see) - In my Reserve unit, LIK paperwork had to be done prior to (generally the prior battle assembly). You may have a case where a room at the hotel will go unused, and you can slip into that slot, but I wouldn't bank on that. Either way, check your unit's SOP on this, and see how they handle LIK.
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CPO (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) Inactive Duty Training (IDT).
You might be thinking of IDT-TRP (Travel Reimbursement Program)
You might be thinking of IDT-TRP (Travel Reimbursement Program)
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Wow! I am glad I switched to the Air Force years ago. When I was in the Air Guard, anyone over 75 miles away was put up in a hotel. Regardless of rank we each got our own rooms. My previous Air Force Reserve unit has a 50 mile radius. In my current unit, all of us live out of state except for one member. So the unit puts all of us in billeting (Air Force Inn). But I am assigned to a active duty unit, so we have housing on base.
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SPC (Join to see)
We have an on base motel which has 20 rooms with 2 beds each, then it has several bays with bunk beds that can house anywhere from 14 - 40 persons per bay depending on which one you're in. Normally that's enough, but I do wish we were doing it your way SMSgt
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SMSgt Thor Merich
My old ANG unit was filled with prior Army and Marines. When asked why we switched branches, most of us pointed to the hotel rooms. Folks that have only been Air Force have no clue how the Army or Marines live unless they have been deployed to a Army base down range.
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CPO (Join to see)
SMSgt Thor Merich SMSgt, since you travel for duty, are you familiar with the City Pair Program (CPP) for airline tickets? (cheaper tickets, fully refundable, last seat availability, no blackout dates, no change fees, no cancellation fee, no luggage fees, mil luggage rules, etc) Compare the CPP fares quoted on the DTMO Travel Explorer (TraX) website versus the airlines' commercial websites for a quick price comparison between the airports you travel. Furthermore, I believe reservations also do not need to be paid until (a minimum of) 72-hours before the flight.
(Note: If a link does not work in Chrome, try it in Internet Explorer)
DTMO: Airline City Pair Program: http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/cityPair.cfm
GSA City Pair Program (CPP): http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/104512
DTMO Travel Explorer (TraX) Trip Tools: http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Passport
GSA CPP Fare Finder Search Tool: http://cpsearch.fas.gsa.gov/
Defense Travel System (DTS): http://www.defensetravel.osd.mil/dts/site/index.jsp
TSA PreCheck Program for DoD Personnel: http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/news.cfm?ID=18
DTMO: Airline City Pair Program, FAQs (2015): http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/faqcp.cfm
GSA FAQs for City Pair Program: http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/106159
GSA Dual Fares Fact Sheet: http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/101543
(Note: If a link does not work in Chrome, try it in Internet Explorer)
DTMO: Airline City Pair Program: http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/cityPair.cfm
GSA City Pair Program (CPP): http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/104512
DTMO Travel Explorer (TraX) Trip Tools: http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Passport
GSA CPP Fare Finder Search Tool: http://cpsearch.fas.gsa.gov/
Defense Travel System (DTS): http://www.defensetravel.osd.mil/dts/site/index.jsp
TSA PreCheck Program for DoD Personnel: http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/news.cfm?ID=18
DTMO: Airline City Pair Program, FAQs (2015): http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/faqcp.cfm
GSA FAQs for City Pair Program: http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/106159
GSA Dual Fares Fact Sheet: http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/101543
Airfares offered under this program are significantly discounted from comparable commercial fares. DTMO assists in developing the contract solicitation for air passenger transportation services and the route requirements for the program contract. It offers government travelers benefits of service and maximum flexibility in planning official travel. As a result, it is government policy that government travelers use contract carriers when...
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SMSgt Thor Merich
CPO Clark - I was unaware of that airline information. Thanks for the information.
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With the unit I'm in, you do get a hotel room paid for. But it's usually for the members in the unit who aren't in the state. But then again, it all depends on your unit as well.
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