2.  The applicant requests that he be reimbursed for his emergency leave travel from Fort Bliss, TX to Hawaii.  He states that he did not know and he was not informed that he had to buy his and his spouse’s tickets only through the local government contract travel office or risk non-reimbursement of his airline costs.

3.  On 2 January 1998 (late Friday night), the applicant was notified by the Red Cross that he had an emergency situation at his home involving a person who stood in loco parentis for him. As the government travel office was closed for the weekend, the applicant bought airline tickets for himself and his spouse at a local commercial travel office.

4.  The applicant returned from emergency leave on or about 2 February 1998.

5.  When the applicant attempted to obtain reimbursement for his expenditure of personal funds for his airline tickets, he was informed that while the Joint Federal Travel Regulation authorizes government-funded travel from the international airport closest his location when notified of the emergency to the nearest international airport closest the location of the emergency, all official travel arrangements must be coordinated with the government contract commercial travel office  (CTO). 

6.  While the normal office hours of the Fort Bliss CTO are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., there is an 800 number, which all unit personnel offices should be aware of, to handle after-hours emergencies.  

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-10 prescribes the policies and mandated operating tasks for the leave and pass function of the Military Personnel System.  It establishes standards and provides an operational document in a logical sequence.  Table 12-10 of this regulation provides that if a soldier is traveling with or without dependents on emergency leave, the servicing Personnel Service Company (PSC) must complete Parts II, III and IV of the DA Form 31, as applicable.  The PSC will obtain and enter the orders number and follow the appropriate procedures.

8.  Total Army Personnel Command message, date time group 140645Z May 97, Subject:  Reimbursement for Travel and Transportation Expenses, requires the following statement to appear in all travel orders authorizing funded government travel (permanent change of station, temporary duty, emergency leave, etc):  “Official travel arrangements purchased through a commercial travel office (travel agency) not under contract to the government, is not reimbursable.”

9.  All units are staffed by staff duty personnel during off-duty hours who should be aware of the above emergency leave procedures.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence in the records shows the applicant apparently was misinformed as to the proper procedures to follow for departing on emergency leave, leading him to purchase airline tickets on his own, with an incomplete DA Form 31.

2.  Because of the misinformation and through no fault of his own, the applicant was not entitled to reimbursement for his overseas travel costs associated with his emergency leave.

3.  In view of the foregoing, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that:

    a.  the individual’s DA Form 31 was properly prepared, through block 30, showing authorized emergency leave for himself and his spouse; and

    b.  the individual is authorized reimbursement as if he had obtained his airline tickets through the Fort Bliss COT.  Reimbursement is limited to the amount the government would have spent had the government arranged his travel.

BOARD VOTE:

                       GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION

                                                                                                              
						    CHAIRPERSON