DTS for 91b alc. How is lodging supposed to be handeled?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 23:20:03 -0500

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

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 11:28 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 23:28:27 -0500

It sounds like you need a statement of non availability for you lodging. Good luck with the rental car!

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 11:32 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 23:32:07 -0500

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

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 11:32 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 23:32:54 -0500

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.

Response by SFC David McMahon made Feb 18 at 2016 12:10 AM

SFC David McMahon — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 00:10:43 -0500

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.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 12:55 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 00:55:44 -0500

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.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 2:25 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 02:25:58 -0500

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.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 5:49 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 05:49:58 -0500

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.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 9:49 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 09:49:42 -0500

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.

Response by 1SG(P) Charles Graeser made Feb 18 at 2016 10:57 AM

1SG(P) Charles Graeser — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 10:57:22 -0500

Go see you brigade DTS guy!! Your getting screwed.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 18 at 2016 2:04 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 14:04:19 -0500

If the situation means you need off post lodging and a rental because they are mission essential then so be it. We don't send soldiers TDY on their dime. That is just asinine. You are getting the royal run around. This is not rocket science.

Those time limits by Brigade are their internal constructs, not DTS. Go talk to your DTS person and I will like to see what transpires.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 18 at 2016 7:04 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 19:04:09 -0500

The USG and Military can't force an agent of the Federal Government to TDY and not pay for the necessities. This appears to be a break Fiscal Law case, which the government has to abide by or a Fiscal Law is broken. It sounds like the DTS Admin does not know travel regulations, has too much power, and or is a jackass first class.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 18 at 2016 7:09 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 19:09:34 -0500

Their top managers need to be fired for corruption.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2016 10:17 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 10:17:23 -0500

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.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2017 7:16 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 07:16:38 -0400

You will stay in the hotel on Ft. Lee, you will not get paid for that.