What is the Army Regulation that makes Government Travel Cards mandatory for all SM?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 12:06:59 -0400

We have a few soldiers that are not wanting the Government Travel Cards. Some don't feel comfortable with a credit card with this much power. It is understandable, but as I understand it, it is MANDATORY for all SM to have one for travel on TDY and Schools.

Response by MSG Cameron Davis made Mar 12 at 2014 12:12 PM

MSG Cameron Davis — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 12:12:15 -0400

Sorry I cannot answer this but I agree. I really hate the GTC because I feel like I need to be completely in control of my credit.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2014 12:46 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 12:46:42 -0400

Bare with me as both the references on this read like VCR Instructions:

First, DoD Financial Management Regulation, Vol 9, Chapter 3:

The Department of Defense (DoD) policy is that the
Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC) will be used by all DoD personnel
(military or civilian) to pay for all costs related to official government
travel. See Section 0306 for a list of exceptions. Official government travel is
defined as travel under official orders while performing duties pertaining to
official government assignments such as temporary duty (TDY) and permanent change
of station (PCS). The purpose of the GTCC is to serve as the primary payment
method for official travel expenses incurred by DoD personnel (military or
civilian) and it also allows the cardholder access to the GSA City Pair
Program. The GTCC reduces the need to issue traditional travel advances (cash/electronic
funds transfer), eliminates the need for the traveler to pay for their own expenses,
and provides financial readiness to DoD personnel (military or civilian). Refer
to the Travel and Transportation Reform Act of 1998 (TTRA), Public Law 105-264
for additional information regarding mandatory use of the travel card

TTRA:

SEC. 2. REQUIRING USE OF THE TRAVEL CHARGE CARD.

(a) IN GENERAL.—Under regulations issued by the Administrator
of General Services after consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the
Administrator shall require that Federal employees use the travel charge card
established pursuant to the United States Travel and Transportation Payment and
Expense Control System, or any Federal contractor-issued travel charge card,
for all payments of expenses of official Government travel. The Administrator
shall exempt any payment, person, type or class of payments, or type or class
of personnel from any requirement established under the preceding sentence in
any case in which—

(1) it is in the best interest of the United States to do
so;

(2) payment through a travel charge card is impractical or
imposes unreasonable burdens or costs on Federal employees or Federal agencies;
or

(3) the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of Transportation
(with respect to the Coast Guard) requests an exemption with respect to the
members of the uniformed services.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2014 3:42 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 15:42:20 -0400

What's the issue? Use it responsibly and there aren't issues. I've got about four or five pages of TDY travel using a GTC on DTS and never once had an issue even during funding crises. It doesn't show up on your credit at all when you pay. And I just bought a new car with a credit score of 820. So no issues there. I never understand why it scares people so much.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2014 8:06 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 20:06:49 -0400

Yes. If your position requires you to travel it only helps achieve the desired mission outcome easier.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2014 8:51 PM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 20:51:33 -0400

Yes if it is a requirement. If it is not a requirement, then no.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Apr 15 at 2014 9:30 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 21:30:49 -0400

If I remember right, about 7-10 years ago, I could have sworn that it was made a requirement for NCOs to apply for the GTCC for use when going TDY or did that also fall by the wayside due to OIF/OEF.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2014 9:53 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 09:53:27 -0400

My advice: Avoid the GTC like the plague. It's not worth the headache.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Aug 7 at 2014 10:43 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 22:43:21 -0400

The GTCs come with responsibility but one fail safe is that the card is not turned on until its needed. As an MP heard a story about an SM who was wrongfully using his GTC and some governmental law enforcement personnel went looking for this SM and when they found him, he was apprehended for illegal use of the GTC.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2014 9:47 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 09:47:30 -0400

It crossed my mind to wonder how the GTC affects the individual Soldier's credit - having too many open credit accounts can be a negative mark on your credit rating and this seems to be one more open commercial credit account in the individual's name.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2015 2:22 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 02:22:19 -0500

I was going to ask this question but found this thread instead. I personally don't want one, and over the course of 17 years never needed one. From what I understand its mandated to be used, but if a Soldier doesn't have one then the only drawback is that they cant apply for a travel advance, which again I have never wanted or needed.

Guess I'm stuck getting one and losing out on point on my personal card...

Response by SSG Sean Garcia made Mar 3 at 2015 2:27 AM

SSG Sean Garcia — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 02:27:40 -0500

Funny story, I medically retired last June and I just got my new GTC in the mail. Haha

Response by SGT Micheal Adams made Mar 3 at 2015 2:39 AM

SGT Micheal Adams — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 02:39:57 -0500

I do not like them, I have had one I had to pay out of pocket, either my receipts were not handled correctly or something. I have never figured out what went wrong. No one can tell me what went wrong. I got no answers to questions fm that had to have a logical answer out there to the right person. I just never met that person.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2015 2:59 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 02:59:00 -0500

Better yet, Federal Travel Regulation:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/ext/public/site/FTR/file/Chapter301p051.html/category/21868/

Chapter 301 -- Temp Duty (TDY) Allowances

FTR Chapter 301 -- Temp Duty (TDY) Allowances