26 - JTR Chap. 3c - Weekend Warriors and Guest Stars

Chapter 3, Part C of the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), titled “Deployments, Exercises, Maneuvers, War Games, and Contingency Operations,” establishes the comprehensive travel and transportation allowances for personnel participating in readiness and operational missions. Generally, military members and civilian employees involved in these activities are placed in a field duty or group travel status, meaning per diem is typically not payable when adequate government lodging, meals, and incidentals are provided. However, advance and rear parties may receive standard travel allowances, and the Combatant Commander (CCDR) or Joint Task Force (JTF) Commander holds the authority to establish specific per diem rates, direct the use of no-cost government quarters, or mandate the Government Meal Rate (GMR) to ensure equitable reimbursement across an Area of Responsibility (AOR). The regulation outlines specialized rules for computing per diem during travel between locations within the same AOR and indefinitely waives the standard 180-day Temporary Duty (TDY) limit for civilian employees deployed to combat zones in support of ongoing contingency operations. Finally, it dictates the strict criteria under which deployed personnel may be reimbursed for retaining lodging during an authorized absence and governs the commercial storage of Household Goods (HHG) and Privately Owned Vehicles (POVs) for personnel assigned to contingency operations or temporary changes of station (TCS) for 31 or more days