About the Defense Travel Management Office

The Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) was formed in 2006 to centralize the various disparate, stove-piped programs that previously governed travel policy, regulations and directives. Through this consolidation, the Department is able to standardize management practices, leverage economies of scale, reduce administrative costs, and work towards common goals.

Today, DTMO supports the $11.1 billion Defense Travel Enterprise by maintaining functional oversight of the Defense Travel System and central oversight for defense travel programs, travel policy and implementation, travel card program management, and customer support and training.

DTMO works across Government and private sector to maintain an in-depth understanding of the travel industry and the needs of military and civilian travelers. DTMO also receives guidance from the Defense Travel Governance Board and its Defense Travel Advisory Panel.

DTMO is a directorate of the Defense Support Services Center which receives oversight from the Defense Human Resources Activity (DHRA). DHRA is a DoD Field Activity of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (OUSDP&R).

DTMO’s authority is granted by Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 5154.31, "Travel Programs".

DoD Travel Governance Bodies

The Defense Travel Management Office coordinates and engages with travel and allowance governance boards to oversee the management of the Defense Travel Enterprise, providing us with strategic guidance in the performance of our mission.

The Defense Travel Governance Board (DTGB) is a Tier 2/O-8 level body that sets strategic direction and manages the execution of change across the Defense Travel Enterprise. The DTGB makes decisions and/or forwards recommendations regarding travel policy and regulations, processes, travel system changes, and legislation.

The Director of the Defense Support Services Center chairs the DTGB. The board is comprised of the Per Diem Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee principal members; Service transportation executives; Service Financial Management and Comptroller representatives; Director, Business Integration, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller); Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment; Director, Defense Travel Management; Director, Defense Finance Accounting Service; Director, Defense Manpower and Data Center; Director, Defense Logistics Agency.

The DTGB serves as a governing body for appeals submitted by Defense Travel Advisory Panel (DTAP) members and provides oversight of DTAP activities. The final decision authority is the Director, Defense Human Resources Activity.

The Defense Travel Advisory Panel (DTAP) is an O-6/GS-14/GS-15 level body that integrates policy, financial, and systems personnel to manage changes to current and future DoD travel requirements. The DTAP make decisions and recommendations on travel enterprise business processes as appropriate, and makes recommendations on travel policy and regulations, legislation, and travel system changes.

The Deputy Director of the DTMO and the Program Manager, Project Management Office-Defense Travel System from the Defense Manpower Data Center co-chair DTAP. It is comprised of Service Financial Management and Comptroller representatives, PDTATAC Military Advisory Panel and Civilian Advisory Panel members, a senior transportation executive, and representatives from the Defense Information Systems Agency, Defense Logistics Agency, Defense Finance and Accounting Service, U.S. Transportation Command, and Reserve Integration. The co-chairs have final decision authority.

The Per Diem Travel, and Transportation Allowance Committee (PDTATAC) has oversight of the Joint Travel Regulations, per DoD Instruction 5154.31, Volume 5. The committee is responsible for implementing and publishing the Joint Travel Regulations for Uniformed Service members, Department of Defense civilians, and others authorized to travel at the DoD’s expense. The committee ensures uniform, fair, and equitable travel and transportation allowances for those under official travel orders.

The committee is chaired by the Director, Defense Human Resources Activity and includes a Deputy Assistant Secretary from each of the Military Departments; the Director, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Corps; the Director, Military Personnel U.S. Coast Guard; the Director, Commissioned Corps U.S. Public Health Service, who serve as principals. Two advisory panels – the Military Advisory Panel and the Civilian Advisory Panel, support the PDTATAC.

The Military Advisory Panel (MAP) generates and evaluates issues pertaining to per diem, travel, and transportation allowances for Uniformed Service members. The MAP meets monthly and includes representatives from the eight Uniformed Services, non-voting representatives, and invited guests.

Membership includes: Action-officer level members from each of the eight Uniformed Services, A non-voting chair from the PDTATAC’s staff, and non-voting representatives from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), and the Office of Military Personnel Policy (Reserve Integration).

This Civilian Advisory Panel (CAP) generates and evaluates issues pertaining to per diem, travel, and transportation allowances for DoD civilian employees. The CAP meets monthly and includes representatives from the Military Services and the Office of Secretary of Defense, non-voting representatives, and invited guests.

Membership includes: Action-officer level members from four of the Military Services, a member from the Office of the Secretary of Defense representing fourth estate components, a non-voting chair from the PDTATAC’s staff, and non-voting representatives from DFAS and USTRANSCOM.

Mission

Serve as the single focal point for commercial travel within the DoD to establish strategic direction, set policy, and centrally manage commercial travel programs

Vision

A Defense Travel Enterprise incorporating government and industry best practices to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of our customers

Goals

  • Maximize travel policy understanding
  • Optimize cost effective travel
  • Improve delivery of travel services

Guiding Principles

  • Customer Focused
  • Fair Compensation
  • Do No Harm
  • Duty of Care
  • Evidence-based Decision Making
  • Simple Travel Solutions