Posted on Feb 17, 2016
DTS for 91b alc. How is lodging supposed to be handeled?
45.6K
19
16
3
3
0
Long story so please if your knowledgable in dts help me out please. When i started my dts authorizations i was 45 days out. My unit based my authorizations on the screen shot that says i will have lodging supplied as well as food and transportation. My BD. Does not authorize rentals for individuals, only groups of 2 or more. This is at units discretion. Lodging on the other hand is based on your class, however my unit requires dts to b submitted and authorized before you are 30 days out. My DTS Nco had me call IHG directly and book a room there even though DTS showed no rooms available I was still able to get a room for my entire school dates. At 30 days out my SGL emailed me informing me that my class will be lodged off post. I responded notifying him of what my DTS nco had me do and asked if i needed to cancel and book off post. He responded yes and he also supplied the alaract messages and policy letters supporting this. He also said that the plan they had for me to take a taxi everywhere for 2 months was a bad idea. When i mentioned this to my Dts nco he said dont cancel and that he didnt know why my sgl had told me to and if i did cancel and book off post i would have to pay out of pocket for it. Even though i have the memorandum stating that IHG no longer does statements of non availability and that the school would email me no les than 30 days out notifing me of the lodging. Also my dts nco informed me that because my authorization had been kicked back and i am inside my 30 days that i had to do a memorandom of lateness that looked like a sworn statement by the time i put all the info in. He said if we changed anything now we would have to do another one and these memos have to be signed by the brigade commander. So i am currently lodging in IHG even though im sure its gna cause problems when i get there. Im not authorized a rental, 40 something a day for meals. I have a bad feeling im being screwed over. My company is currently in JRTC so i dont have much real support i leave for alc in a couple weeks and anytime i bring this up nobody seems to care, just keep your recipts. Anything will help regaurding ALU ALC AND DTS
Posted in these groups: 
Defense Travel System (DTS)
Advanced Leaders Course (ALC formerly BNCOC)
91B: Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic
Defense Travel System (DTS) Advanced Leaders Course (ALC formerly BNCOC) 91B: Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 11
6
6
0
1SG(P) Charles Graeser
I was the Brigade DTS manager for 4th Brigade at Fort Bragg before we shut down, you DTS Guy has no clue what he is talking about. Also talk to your Brigade S-4
(1)
(0)
SSG(P) (Join to see)
That is my next stop. However my travel has already been approved, and i leave before the end of the month. Does this change anything as far as my options of changing the authorizations?
(0)
(0)
3
3
0
I currently have Soldiers at ALU, Fort Lee. Lodging is doing some renovations to their older lodging accommodations and multiple Soldiers are being directed to off post facilities.
Your instructor/training NCO should have provided you with notification as well as in your welcome letter. That information needs to be uploaded into your DTS authorization verifying that you will require full per diem and off post lodging at the local rate. However, when you complete the course and file the voucher you will have to recalculate that lodging per night to match your hotel receipt.
You are probably at a loss on the rental car as most BN/BDE have a policy on it. You should be able to car pool with someone in your class that has their POV. Getting approval for daily taxi expense is another mess and hard to justify, even when you do state your case you probably won't get the amount it actually costs.
If the command policy is to have a memorandum of lateness within 30 days, do it. You will not be the one in trouble because you are doing what is being asked of you.
Not all DTS NCOs really know how the program operates. The person you are talking to is not the final authority. Keep pushing.
Your instructor/training NCO should have provided you with notification as well as in your welcome letter. That information needs to be uploaded into your DTS authorization verifying that you will require full per diem and off post lodging at the local rate. However, when you complete the course and file the voucher you will have to recalculate that lodging per night to match your hotel receipt.
You are probably at a loss on the rental car as most BN/BDE have a policy on it. You should be able to car pool with someone in your class that has their POV. Getting approval for daily taxi expense is another mess and hard to justify, even when you do state your case you probably won't get the amount it actually costs.
If the command policy is to have a memorandum of lateness within 30 days, do it. You will not be the one in trouble because you are doing what is being asked of you.
Not all DTS NCOs really know how the program operates. The person you are talking to is not the final authority. Keep pushing.
(3)
(0)
2
2
0
Depends on how it is set up
for the lines of accounting, method of instruction (MOI), and the component of the Army you are in. If you are using HRC money, the MOI will override anything your unit says. If your unit is funding it, ATRRS and the MOI need to be examined by your schools NCO. A lot of variables, but written guidance should be your guide.
for the lines of accounting, method of instruction (MOI), and the component of the Army you are in. If you are using HRC money, the MOI will override anything your unit says. If your unit is funding it, ATRRS and the MOI need to be examined by your schools NCO. A lot of variables, but written guidance should be your guide.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
Your headed to Fort Lee and the ALU and hotel are colocated next to each other (so lodging shouldn't be a problem). If by chance lodging is filled, you will get a statement of nonavailability and you will live off post. Your not getting a rental, so give up that fight, and that will suck if you live off post. However, you should of already contacted the hotel on post and made reservations. A lot of your lodging questions could of been answered by visiting the ALU website, I assume you have done this? I assume you have a government travel card? Your NCO is correct, keep all receipts! And make sure your travel card is turned on. If any of this is a problem, you can get an advance on your TDY prior to leaving as well. Your in Vilseck, correct? I'm in Graf-give me a call if you still have issues [login to see] 74)-this is easy stuff, brother, no need to fret.
(2)
(0)
SSG(P) (Join to see)
Youre assumptions are correct, however in oct of 2015 the lodging process changed and according to the policy change students are no longer authorized to contact IHG directly. As for the rental not too concerned. I am no longer stationed in GM. Now at JBLM. I have my GTC and it is active. My biggest concern is when i do my voucher. I had a bad experience on a previous tdy and i now pay closer attention to the dts process.
(1)
(0)
SFC David McMahon
SSG(P) (Join to see) - Unfortunately DTS managers are not well equipped so your right, monitor your spending to make sure you are properly paid (as with anything). I have a friend at Fort Lee if you run into problems (was not aware of the change and about to retire). Policy change seems silly but as long as your GTC is on, you should be fine. I'd suggest driving but from your location, that's a bit ridiculous. Just keep all your receipts (or an account of expenditures). And use your off time wisely, plenty to do in the area-have fun!
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
0
0
0
If you have the policy letters and Alaracts then that pretty much trumps everything the DTS clerk is telling you. The letter of lateness is an internal measure by that unit and it by no means negatively affects you. I recommend going to the Brigade DTS clerk or maybe even Division. A lot of these guys feel like they can dictate the regulation but if it's spelled out in black and white that you have to be lodged off post then they have no say so in that matter.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
What you are running into is your command pinching pennies by trying to dictate the manner in which you travel, despite what is "normally" done for travel. When they built that schoolhouse, the idea was that convenient, local transient housing would both save money and be better for students.
Normally, the schoolhouse sends out a letter for students setting up their DTS, outlining what is expected and authorized while staying there. Usually, if the Training NCO is setting up your travel for you (must be nice having a travel agent), they'd review this letter first in order to get it right.
Now they're avoiding any changes because they don't want their attention or lack thereof in front of the battalion or brigade commander.
Seems to me that if you have on post lodging booked, you should hold onto it. I think that you'll find it was the better option all along.
Normally, the schoolhouse sends out a letter for students setting up their DTS, outlining what is expected and authorized while staying there. Usually, if the Training NCO is setting up your travel for you (must be nice having a travel agent), they'd review this letter first in order to get it right.
Now they're avoiding any changes because they don't want their attention or lack thereof in front of the battalion or brigade commander.
Seems to me that if you have on post lodging booked, you should hold onto it. I think that you'll find it was the better option all along.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
First you need to read your welcome letter which should be in your email... ATRRS information are not always accurate... If you didn't get it talk to your Training/Ops NCO or call the school house Ops NCO. NCOES schools should be meals provided. Lodging is available as well paid by the school house, if not funded by the school house, you will need a Travel Card. If rental is required it will be on welcome letter, if not it has to be approve by your unit. You're just an E5, don't expect too much. Unless the welcome letter state that the school house is not providing transportation and your lodging, DEFAC and your class room is more than 2 miles in between, then that would be justifiable.
(0)
(0)
SSG(P) (Join to see)
Idk how to tag names but SFC Oscar Gregorio, I have recieved the welcome letter with all of the follow up information in regards to the DTS authorizations. I have been in contact with the school and the school is telling me that i will be lodged off post. My dts nco had me book a room at IHG by calling them directly. As of OCT 2015 a policy letter was published stateing that students are no longer authorized to contact IHG at Ft. Lee for a room and that the school will contact me regarding lodging. The email i recieved stated that my class will be lodged off post. My SGL informed me that I needed to cancell my reservation at IHG and book a hotel off post from the list he provided. The reporting instructions are to report to the school Staff duty before checking in to lodging. The problem i am having is my units policies conflict with the schools policies. My unit requires soldiers dts to be authorized more than 30 days out but the school sends lodging information out at 30 days prior. On top of this My entire company is in JRTC. This is causing an additional headache because my schools NCO failed to do his job with pre exicution checklist ect. I have recently pcsd to this unit and i feel as though im getting left to fend for myself. My Bn. DTS NCO hasnt really helped. Honestly at this point its not about my TDY, how do i prevent others from going through what i am?
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Where are you attending ALC? Most school houses these days on the reserve side either block reserve and pay for lodging out of their school budget for the entire class or put you up in barracks on post that they have reserved for that purpose. When I attended ALC as a student at Fort McCoy back a few years ago the put me up in a best Western off post but it was covered by the school house and didn't even get reflected on my DTS voucher other then to say that it was available and provided. They also provided us a 15 pack van out of their motor pool for transportation. It sounds to me like you unit needs to take a serious look at their policies with regards to DTS and how they interact with schools because some of that stuff can either get you removed from the course or leave you paying for cost out of pocket with no chance to get that money back.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
From my understanding, lodging is done through IHG for most NCOES in FLW where I attended. It depends, like you stated, on the ALARACTS for that area and what is authorized. If the SGL is advising you do lodging off post, possibly something as simple as a memo from the schoolhouse uploaded into the substantiated records in your DTS authorization would suffice? As for the rental vehicle, that is usually delegated to the unit to decide. If your unit does not authorize it except for groups of two, maybe see about carpooling wo another individual in your BN? There are such things as group authorizations as well. Hope this helps.
SGT Carr
Former schools/TDY NCO for 411th MP Co, 720th MP BN
SGT Carr
Former schools/TDY NCO for 411th MP Co, 720th MP BN
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google