Can a reserve unit require you to stay in a hotel 20 miles away while on AT orders and not pay mileage?

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 10:51:04 -0400

No GOV or trans provided. In & around not on orders...which were provided the day prior to report date and lodging not arranged until AFTER reporting for AT.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 2 at 2019 12:06 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 12:06:18 -0400

This stuff has nothing to do with DTS which is merely travel accounting/reimbursement/credit card stuff. The Joint Travel Regulations govern. Although the Services do a lot of gaming to hose SMs out of travel reimbursement for inactive duty training, they can't run and hide from the JTR, especially on AD stuff. It's unclear if your orders do/don't comply with JTR, but regardless, JTR governs even when the orders are messed up. They need to be brought into compliance which is usually means amendment. If refused, it's IG time.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2019 4:16 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 16:16:45 -0400

If you are on AT orders, then the only mileage reimbursement you are entitled to is driving to your unit on day one of AT, and driving home on the final day. DTS is not even used for this, that reimbursement for mileage pays out with your AT pay.
AT orders are not funded for in and around mileage, or most anything else listed in the JTR for travel for all orders other than AT.
AT orders means your unit is responsible to provide lodging and chow for all 15 days at no cost to the Soldier.
If the hotel was paid for by the Unit Travel Card, it is an unfortunate outcome that your unit failed to set up home station lodging for AT prior to the first day of AT and ended up with a hotel 20 miles away.
Talk with your commander about this failure to plan and how it impacts every TPU in the unit. They can at least plan for next year's AT and not cause the same problem again.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2019 9:49 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 21:49:57 -0400

I can only wish my Reserve unit would get me a hotel room even without mileage. I live 46 miles away from where I drill. I'm not eligible for LIK.

And I don't get in and around mileage at home station, why should I get it at AT? I really don't care about in and around mileage. I'm about to go TDY to Fort Gordon (drill at Ft. Meade, live near Ft. Belvoir). I'm not getting in-and-around mileage...don't really care. They can pay me what they'd pay for a flight as the mileage... more convenient for the government. I'll be housed on post, and eat at the DFAC 7 days a week. Going out to eat will be out of my own pocket. Not an issue.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jun 2 at 2019 11:58 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 23:58:31 -0400

MSG Private RallyPoint Member Not to offend, but - can’t you stay in the place of duty?

A cot, air mattress and a fart sack have sheltered many troops.

Heck, at your age, you wouldn't even need the cot.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 3 at 2019 2:38 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 14:38:23 -0400

I have to caveat this by saying I am not an expert on this matter. I am going to guess that you will not get mileage as both the hotel and place of duty are within the same locality. Ask a DTS or finance person.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2019 9:49 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 21:49:08 -0400

Without orders? A Reserve unit? Wow. Other than Battle Assembly, I do nothing without having orders in hand. How can they make you travel without orders?

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Dec 10 at 2020 9:28 AM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 09:28:21 -0500

Does your unit not have vehicles? Duce and 1/2 haul a lot of troops on a sort run.