How can I verify if I am authorized mileage when driving across country during a PCS? Does being on leave impact the authorization?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 04:59:12 -0400

I'm PCSing to CA from Germany. SATO can only fly me and my family to BWI (my pets can't fly cargo in the states), so I have no choice but drive from BWI to CA with my pets. I know I won't get reimbursed for a rental but normally would for gas. The issue is Finance claimed I won't get reimbursed for mileage due to me being on leave and it being "leisure travel". Is this true? Or what should I do?

Response by COL Randall C. made Sep 30 at 2022 9:41 AM

COL Randall C. — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 09:41:17 -0400

Airlines might not allow you to ship them as cargo, but you can still transport them in-cabin - but while there is no technical limit on the size, they usually limit by the carrier size (the pet must fit in the carrier such that they can stand up and turn around while inside and it must fit under the seat in front of you). So, if you have a large dog, you'll be out of luck going by air travel.

The JTR has one basic factor regarding pets - transportation costs for a household pet is not a reimbursable expense, except when the transportation is part of a PDS evacuation (which this isn't)*. The JTR does lay out exceptions that it will pay for (mandatory quarantine fees, etc.), but not everything is covered.

Regarding the flight change. The government will pay to transport your family from point A (Germany) to point B (your new duty station). Pets are not considered "part of the family" (I know many pet owners that would beg to differ) in the case that considerations for an EFMP (for example) would allow (e.g., special medical travel ... conditions which would prohibit air travel .. etc). They will pay you up to the cost it would take them to move your family, but any additional costs beyond that because of special considerations for your pet are at your own cost.

You might have some luck recooping the costs incurred if you do a constructed travel worksheet between flying from BWI to your PDS and that of driving from BWI to your PDS. You likely were prescribed air travel, so that's the default mode. Let's say it will cost the government $2000 to fly your family from BWI to your PDS and you've determined that driving will cost you $2800 to go by POV. You submit that cost comparison along with your DTS authorization and the government will reimburse you up to the cost it would be for the preferred travel.

If you haven't done it before, there are worksheets and instructions on the DTS site* you can use. Just make sure you throw in all the projected expenses you would have traveling in one mode.

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* JTR - Pet Transportation - Section 050106
https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/perdiem/browse/Travel_Regulations/Regulations_Changes/Monthly/2018/JTR(08-01-18).pdf
* DTS constructed Travel - https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/rssDetail.cfm?id=157

JTR(08-01-18).pdf

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2022 9:45 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 09:45:39 -0400

You can verify anything about travel by reviewing the Joint Travel Regulation. You may need a law degree to understand it, but it's all in there.

You are only authorized one day of travel to fly OCONUS. If you choose to take ten days, that is your choice and your financial liability. The DOD will pay you for the one day of travel that it takes.

You do not have "no choice but to drive", there are a lot of choices, you are simply choosing to drive. Other choices include, leaving the dog, flying back at a later day to bring it, having a professional service ship the dog, not having a dog that is too large to fly, etc. Bringing a pet to PCS is a personal financial liability, not financial liability for the DOD. You can expect to move about every three years, PCSing overseas with dogs can cost thousands of dollars. Set money aside for professional moving services for your return. From where I am in Italy, it is about $3,000 to $5,000 to ship a large dog back. The DOD is not obligated to pay for personal financial choices that incur an additional burden on the Service Member. In short, a dog is an expensive luxury, don't take one on if you can't afford it.

You are very mistaken that you would normally get reimbursed for gas, you are never getting reimbursed for gas unless you are on TDY, authorized a rental, and the gas is for the rental.

What you may be able to do is be reimbursed for up to the amount that your plane tickets to BWI would have costed. You would need a constructed travel worksheet showing how much you should have gotten for the mileage vs the ticket. You're not going to be reimbursed for gas, if you choose to drive across the country in a gas guzzling Silverado or a Civic Hybrid, you are going to get the same PCS mileage rate for your travel. If you choose to drive down I5, across I10 and up I95, or just drive straight across, you will still be paid for the shortest distance.