SM traveling TDY, alternate airport is $700 cheaper, unit is ordering SM to not use the alternate. Is this government fraud/waste/abuse?

2017-02-01T20:46:36-05:00

Seriously don't like this new question format. I have to post the question then add the details. Anyways, I haven't been given a reason/justification for why the unit is ordering the SM to not use the alternate airport, but it doesn't seem right to me. Additionally, they are refusing to authorize a rental car. I haven't found a regulation on reasonable walking distance, but the lodging is 2 miles from the place of duty, given the below freezing conditions in addition to snow, I don't see how anyone responsible leader would ask a soldier to do this multiple times a day when they are not acclimatized to the weather or that level of physical exertion in addition to PT. Thoughts?

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2017 9:46 PM

2017-02-01T21:46:26-05:00

I don't know the answer to your questions. But your best arguments are found here:
http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/travelreg.cfm

Travel Regulations

The Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) are applicable to uniformed members of the seven uniformed services ( i.e., Uniformed Members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps , Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, and Public Health Service Commissioned Corps), DoD civilian employees and others traveling at DoD expense. For DoD civilian employees, the JTR’s authority is primarily derived from U.S.C....

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2017 9:46 PM

2017-02-01T21:46:42-05:00

I believe there is definitely a case to be made about a cheaper route. As for the rental car, I suspect them to be SOL. I have bought pedal bikes, found buses...search local classifieds, craigslist, etc. Perhaps, if there are several in the same boat, they poor their own funds and rent a car.

Response by SFC George Smith made Feb 1 at 2017 11:42 PM

2017-02-01T23:42:35-05:00

that most interesting... we used to looks for ways to save Money and were allowed to make changes ...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2017 12:37 AM

2017-02-02T00:37:23-05:00

SGT Kristin Wiley big thing for the travel on post is there a internal bus system? I know that is where they got some people. The airport part is ridiculous. I know that sometimes the flights in DTS they want you to pick one as the government as already gotten seats and it would be a waste if they did not use them vs. the open market. I do not claim to be an expert of how much that is and if it is cheaper than the $700, but as a DTS approver in the past we reviewed and if proven it was cheaper we have a limited budget so we went with the cheaper one and paid for the difference in mileage for the traveler, especially if parking was cheaper too.

Back to the internal post see if you can get the bus schedule (if there is one) for the post and get a friend the first day of class to see if they have a rental to hitch a ride everyday. I have been there and it can be rough.

Response by 1SG Al Brown made Feb 2 at 2017 7:58 AM

2017-02-02T07:58:43-05:00

You can file an IG complaint. The Soldier will figure out the movement issues when they get there, just like we all have in the past.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Feb 2 at 2017 8:37 AM

2017-02-02T08:37:46-05:00

Rental cars are commonly not authorized when other lesser cost transportation are available.
On the other hand, the SM can justify the cost of a rental car when it it is shown the use of other available transportation (Taxi) costs exceeds the cost of the rental car.
I was unfortunately a DTS reviewer and approver at my last assignment..ugg, I do not Heart DTS...