Who should do DTS, Soldier or NDEA?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 11:28:03 -0400

With reservist and guardsmen traveling but not being full time should they be responsible to do their own DTS authorization and vouchers or is that the NDEA's job?

I will withhold my thoughts to see what others think first.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2015 10:51 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 10:51:47 -0400

LTC Private RallyPoint Member ,

It is the Soldier's responsibility, but I am not certain what guidance/regulation states it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2015 9:49 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 09:49:37 -0400

Soldiers shouldn't trust the approval chain to have all the answers. Reserve members should (my opinion) to do their own DTS, provided they are compensated (if completed outside of normal drill) for the time it takes to bounce up and down the approval chain, research the regulations, and provide supporting documentation. Otherwise, whoever asked the soldier to complete the authorization/voucher is in violation of 31 USC § 1342, Limitation on voluntary services, (part of the Antideficiency Act, Pub.L. 97–258, 96 Stat. 923) - punishable by fines, imprisonment, or both.

Response by MSgt Aaron Brite made Jul 27 at 2015 7:02 PM

MSgt Aaron Brite — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 19:02:23 -0400

Well having traveled twice in 7 years the DAS goat rope is the most frustrating aspect of the whole thing. First, my travel did not end with a duty day at the base. That meant any accomplishment of DTS was on my own time and a commute to the base. Second, a couple hours were spent on the phone with tech support because DAS security setting in I conflict w web mail security settings. Combine those and expecting a reservist to do their own DTS is down right cruel. Glad I will never have to deal with it again.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2015 7:18 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 19:18:04 -0400

I believe that Soldiers should complete there own DTS. It gives them a better understanding of what the travel regulations are and a better understanding of what is acceptable and not acceptable while TDY. I have noticed that there are too many Soldiers today that have no idea what the travel regulations is. This can leads to a lot of miss interruptions of the rules and a lot of guessing and a general fear of using a government credit card.