SUBCHAPTER I—TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITIES—NEW LAW
§451. Definitions
(a)
(1) The term "administering Secretary" or "administering Secretaries" means the following:
(A) The Secretary of Defense, with respect to the armed forces (including the Coast Guard when it is operating as a service in the Navy).
(B) The Secretary of Homeland Security, with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy.
(C) The Secretary of Commerce, with respect to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(D) The Secretary of Health and Human Services, with respect to the Public Health Service.
(2) The term "authorized traveler" means a person who is authorized travel and transportation allowances when performing official travel ordered or authorized by the administering Secretary. Such term includes the following:
(A) A member of the uniformed services.
(B) A family member of a member of the uniformed services.
(C) A person acting as an escort or attendant for a member or family member who is traveling on official travel or is traveling with the remains of a deceased member or as an escort or attendant for dependents of a member for necessary travel performed not later than one year after the member is unable to accompany the dependents who are incapable of traveling alone.
(D) A person who participates in a military funeral honors detail.
(E) A Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadet or midshipman.
(F) An applicant or rejected applicant for enlistment.
(G) Any person whose employment or service is considered directly related to a Government official activity or function under regulations prescribed under
(H) Any other person not covered by subparagraphs (A) through (G) who is determined by the administering Secretary pursuant to regulations prescribed under
(i) Transportation of survivors to attend burial services or transfer of deceased members after death overseas as provided in
(ii) Transportation of designated individuals incident to the hospitalization of members as provided in
(iii) Transportation of designated individuals incident to the repatriation of members as provided in
(iv) Transportation of non-medical attendants as provided in
(v) Transportation of designated individuals to attend Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program events as provided in
(vi) Transportation of a person with regard to a single event when the administering Secretary determines that the travel is necessary to ensure fairness and equity, respond to emergency or humanitarian circumstances, or serve the best interests of the Government.
(vii) Transportation of a dependent child of a member of the uniformed services to the United States to obtain formal secondary, undergraduate, graduate, or vocational education, if the permanent duty assignment location of the member is outside the continental United States (other than in Alaska or Hawaii).
(viii) Transportation of a dependent child of a member of the uniformed services within the United States to obtain formal secondary, undergraduate, graduate, or vocational education, if the permanent duty assignment location of the member is in Alaska or Hawaii and the school is located in a State outside of the permanent duty assignment location.
(ix) Transportation of a dependent to a location where a member of the uniformed services is on permanent duty aboard a ship that is overhauling, inactivating, or under construction.
(3) The term "family member", with respect to a member of the uniformed services, means the following:
(A) A dependent, as defined in
(B) A child, as defined in
(C) A parent, as defined in
(D) A sibling of the member.
(E) A former spouse of the member.
(b)
(1) The term "official travel" means the following:
(A) Military duty or official business performed by an authorized traveler away from a duty assignment location or other authorized location.
(B) Travel performed by an authorized traveler ordered to relocate from a permanent duty station to another permanent duty station.
(C) Travel performed by an authorized traveler ordered to the first permanent duty station, or separated or retired from uniformed service.
(D) Local travel in or around the temporary duty or permanent duty station.
(E) Other travel as authorized or ordered by the administering Secretary.
(2) The term "actual and necessary expenses" means expenses incurred in fact by an authorized traveler as a reasonable consequence of official travel.
(3) The term "travel allowances" means the daily lodging, meals, and other related expenses, including relocation expenses, incurred by an authorized traveler while on official travel.
(4) The term "transportation allowances" means the costs of temporarily or permanently moving an authorized traveler, the personal property of an authorized traveler, or a combination thereof.
(5) The term "transportation-, lodging-, or meals-in-kind" means transportation, lodging, or meals provided by the Government without cost to an authorized traveler.
(6) The term "miscellaneous expenses" means authorized expenses incurred in addition to authorized allowances during the performance of official travel by an authorized traveler.
(7) The term "personal property", with respect to transportation allowances, includes baggage, furniture, and other household items, clothing, privately owned vehicles, house trailers, mobile homes, and any other personal items that would not otherwise be prohibited by any other provision of law or regulation prescribed under
(8) The term "relocation allowances" means the costs associated with relocating a member of the uniformed services and the member's dependents between an old and new temporary or permanent duty assignment location or other authorized location. Such costs include pet quarantine expenses.
(9) The term "dislocation allowances" means the costs associated with relocation of the household of a member of the uniformed services and the member's dependents in relation to a change in the member's permanent duty assignment location ordered for the convenience of the Government or incident to an evacuation.
(10)(A) The term "permanent duty assignment location" means—
(i) the official station of a member of the uniformed services; or
(ii) the residence of a dependent of a member of the uniformed services.
(B) As used in subparagraph (A)(ii), the residence of a dependent who is a student not living with the member while at school is the permanent duty assignment location of the dependent student.
(Added
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2022—Subsec. (a)(2)(H)(i).
Subsec. (a)(2)(H)(ii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(H)(iii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(H)(iv).
Subsec. (a)(2)(H)(v).
2021—Subsec. (a)(2)(H)(vii), (viii).
Subsec. (a)(2)(H)(ix).
Subsec. (b)(8).
Subsec. (b)(10).
2013—Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Purpose of Consolidation and Reform of Travel and Transportation Authorities of the Uniformed Services
Transition Provisions
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(1) the Secretary of Homeland Security, with respect to the Coast Guard;
"(2) the Secretary of Health and Human Services, with respect to the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service; and
"(3) the Secretary of Commerce, with respect to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
"(d)
"(e)
§452. Allowable travel and transportation: general authorities
(a)
(b)
(1) Temporary duty that requires travel between a permanent duty assignment location and another authorized temporary duty location, and travel in or around the temporary duty location.
(2) Permanent change of station that requires travel between an old and new temporary or permanent duty assignment location or other authorized location.
(3) Temporary duty or assignment relocation related to consecutive overseas tours or in-place-consecutive overseas tours.
(4) Recruiting duties for the armed forces.
(5) Assignment or detail to another Government department or agency.
(6) Rest and recuperative leave.
(7) Convalescent leave.
(8) Reenlistment leave.
(9) Reserve component inactive-duty training performed outside the normal commuting distance of the member's permanent residence.
(10) Ready Reserve muster duty.
(11) Unusual, extraordinary, hardship, or emergency circumstances.
(12) Presence of family members at a military medical facility incident to the illness or injury of members.
(13) Presence of family members at the repatriation of members held captive.
(14) Presence of non-medical attendants for very seriously or seriously wounded, ill, or injured members.
(15) Attendance at Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program events.
(16) Missing status, as determined by the Secretary concerned under
(17) Attendance at or participation in international sports competitions described under
(18) Travel by a dependent child to the United States to obtain formal secondary, undergraduate, graduate, or vocational education, if the permanent duty assignment location of the member of the uniformed services is outside the continental United States (other than in Alaska or Hawaii).
(19) Travel by a dependent child within the United States to obtain formal secondary, undergraduate, graduate, or vocational education, if the permanent duty assignment location of the member of the uniformed services is in Alaska or Hawaii and the school is located in a State outside of the permanent duty assignment location.
(20) Subject to subsection (i), travel by a dependent to a location where a member of the uniformed services is on permanent duty aboard a ship that is overhauling, inactivating, or under construction.
(21) Presence of family members at the funeral and memorial services of members.
(22) Permanent change of assignment to or from a naval vessel undergoing nuclear refueling or defueling and any concurrent complex overhaul, even if such assignment is within the same area as the current assignment of the member.
(23) Current assignment to a naval vessel entering or exiting nuclear refueling or defueling and any concurrent complex overhaul.
(c)
(1) Allowances for transportation (including fares and tolls, without regard to distance travelled), lodging, and meals.
(2) Dislocation or relocation allowances paid in connection with a change in a member's temporary or permanent duty assignment location.
(3) A partial dislocation allowance paid to a member ordered to occupy or vacate housing provided by the United States.
(4) Passport and visa fees required for foreign travel.
(5) Other related miscellaneous expenses.
(d)
(1) as an actual expense;
(2) as an authorized allowance;
(3) in-kind; or
(4) using a combination of the authorities under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3).
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(1) The member of the uniformed services must be permanently assigned to the ship for 31 or more consecutive days to be eligible for allowances, and the transportation allowances accrue on the 31st day and every 60 days thereafter.
(2) Transportation in kind, reimbursement for personally procured transportation, or a monetary allowance for mileage in place of the cost of transportation may be provided, in lieu of the member's entitlement to transportation, for the member's dependents from the location that was the home port of the ship before commencement of overhaul or inactivation to the port of overhaul or inactivation.
(3) The total reimbursement for transportation for the member's dependents may not exceed the cost of one Government-procured commercial round-trip travel.
(Added
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2022—Subsec. (b)(18), (21).
Subsec. (b)(22), (23).
2021—Subsec. (b)(18).
Subsec. (b)(19).
Subsec. (b)(20).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(4), (5).
Subsec. (i).
2019—Subsec. (c)(3), (4).
§453. Allowable travel and transportation: specific authorities
(a)
(b)
(c)
(2) The authority in paragraph (1) includes the movement and temporary and non-temporary storage of personal property, household goods, and privately owned vehicles (but not to exceed one privately owned vehicle per member household) in connection with the temporary or permanent move between authorized locations.
(3) For movement of household goods, the administering Secretaries shall prescribe weight allowances in regulations under
(4) The administering Secretary may prescribe the terms, rates, and conditions that authorize a member of the uniformed services to ship or store a privately owned vehicle.
(5) No carrier, port agent, warehouseman, freight forwarder, or other person involved in the transportation of property may have any lien on, or hold, impound, or otherwise interfere with, the movement of baggage and household goods being transported under this section.
(d)
(e)
(1) A member who is retired, or is placed on the temporary disability retired list, under
(2) A member who is retired with pay under any other law or who, immediately following at least eight years of continuous active duty with no single break therein of more than 90 days, is discharged with separation pay or is involuntarily released from active duty with separation pay or readjustment pay.
(3) A member who is discharged under
(f)
(g)
(A) the member relocates to a new jurisdiction or geographic area as the result of—
(i) an assignment to a duty station;
(ii) a reassignment, either as a result of a permanent change of station or permanent change of assignment, between duty stations;
(iii) a transfer from a regular component of a uniformed service into the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve of a uniformed service, if the member is authorized a final move from the last duty station to the new jurisdiction or geographic area; or
(iv) placement on the temporary disability retired list under
(B) the movement of the member's dependents is authorized at the expense of the United States under this section as part of the relocation.
(2)(A) Reimbursement provided to a member under this subsection for qualified relicensing costs may not exceed $1,000 in connection with each relocation described in paragraph (1).
(B) Reimbursement provided to a member under this subsection for qualified business costs may not exceed $1,000 in connection with each relocation described in paragraph (1).
(3) No reimbursement may be provided under this subsection for qualified relicensing costs or qualified business costs paid or incurred after December 31, 2029.
(4) In this subsection, the term "qualified relicensing costs" means costs, including exam, continuing education courses, business license, permit, and registration fees, incurred by the spouse of a member if—
(A) the spouse was licensed or certified in a profession, or owned a business, during the member's previous duty assignment and requires a new professional license or certification, or business license or permit, to engage in that profession in a new jurisdiction because of the member's relocation described in paragraph (1); and
(B) the costs were incurred or paid to secure or maintain the professional license or certification, or business license or permit, from the new jurisdiction in connection with such relocation.
(5) In this subsection, the term "qualified business costs" means costs, including moving services for equipment, equipment removal, new equipment purchases, information technology expenses, and inspection fees, incurred by the spouse of a member if—
(A) the spouse owned a business during the member's previous duty assignment and the costs result from a the member's relocation described in paragraph (1); and
(B) the costs were incurred or paid to move such business to a new location in connection with such relocation.
(h)
(2) The Secretary concerned may reimburse a member for any cost related to the relocation of a pet that arises from a permanent change of station of such member to or from a duty station located outside the continental United States. Such reimbursement may not exceed $4,000 for each such permanent change of station.
(i)
(1) The Secretary of the military department concerned may authorize temporary duty status, and travel and transportation allowances payable to a member in such status, for a member under the jurisdiction of such Secretary who is reassigned—
(A) between duty stations located within the United States;
(B) for a period of not more than one year;
(C) for the purpose of participating in professional military education or training classes,
(D) with orders to return to the duty station where the member maintains primary residence and the dependents of such member reside.
(2) If the Secretary of the military department concerned assigns permanent duty status to a member described in paragraph (1), such member shall be eligible for travel and transportation allowances including the following:
(A) Transportation, including mileage at the same rate paid for a permanent change of station.
(B) Per diem while traveling between the permanent duty station and professional military education institution or training site.
(C) Per diem paid in the same manner and amount as temporary lodging expenses.
(D) Per diem equal to the amount of the basic allowance for housing under
(i) in the grade of such member;
(ii) without dependents;
(iii) who resides in the military housing area in which the professional military education institution or training site is located.
(E) Movement of household goods in an amount determined under applicable regulations.
(Added
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2023—Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(1)(A).
Subsec. (g)(1)(B).
Subsec. (g)(2).
Subsec. (g)(4)(A).
Subsec. (g)(4)(B).
Subsec. (g)(5)(A).
Subsec. (g)(5)(B).
2022—Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (g)(1).
Subsec. (g)(2).
Subsec. (g)(3).
Subsec. (g)(4).
Subsec. (g)(4)(A).
Subsec. (g)(4)(B).
Subsec. (g)(5).
Subsec. (h).
Subsec. (i).
2021—Subsec. (g).
2016—Subsec. (g).
2013—Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (g).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Storage of Household Effects
"(1) The Secretary of a military department shall exercise the authority provided by
"(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term 'involuntarily separated' has the meaning given that term in
§454. Travel and transportation: pilot programs
(a)
(1) Alternative methods for performing and reimbursing travel.
(2) Means for limiting the need for travel.
(3) Means for reducing the environmental impact of travel.
(b)
(2) The duration of a pilot program may not exceed four years.
(3) The authority to carry out a pilot program is subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
(c)
(A) The purpose of the pilot program.
(B) The duration of the pilot program.
(C) The cost savings or other efficiencies anticipated to accrue to the Government under the pilot program.
(2) Not later than 60 days after the completion of a pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the pilot program. The report on a pilot program under this paragraph shall set forth the following:
(A) A description of results of the pilot program.
(B) Such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate in light of the pilot program.
(d)
(Added
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Pilot Program To Reimburse Members of the Armed Forces for Certain Child Care Costs Incident to a Permanent Change of Station or Assignment
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(1)
"(A) the member is reassigned, either as a permanent change of station or permanent change of assignment, to a new duty station;
"(B) the movement of the member's dependents is authorized at the expense of the United States under
"(C) child care is not available at a military child development center at such duty station not later than 30 days after the member arrives at such duty station; and
"(D) the dependent child is on the wait list for child care at such military child development center.
"(2)
"(A) $500 for a reassignment between duty stations within the continental United States; and
"(B) $1,500 for a reassignment involving a duty station outside of the continental United States.
"(3)
"(4)
"(d)
"(e)
"(f)
"(1) The term 'authorized traveler' has the meaning given such term in
"(2) The term 'designated child care provider' means an adult selected by a member of the armed forces to provide child care to a dependent child of such member.
"(3) The term 'military child development center' has the meaning given such term in
§455. Appropriations for travel: may not be used for attendance at certain meetings
Appropriations of the Department of Defense that are available for travel may not, without the approval of the Secretary concerned or his designee, be used for expenses incident to attendance of a member of an armed force under that department at a meeting of a technical, scientific, professional, or similar organization.
(
| Revised section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 412 | 5:174a. | Aug. 1, 1953, ch. 305, §605, |
The words "may not . . . be used" are substituted for the words "shall not be available". The words "on and after August 1, 1953" are omitted as executed. The words "Secretary concerned" are substituted for the words "Secretary of the department concerned" to conform to other sections of this revised title and to the definition in section 101(5) of this revised title. So much of the source statute as relates to civilian employees is omitted as superseded by the Act of July 7, 1958,
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Act Aug. 1, 1953, cited as the source of this section in the Historical and Revision Notes above, is known as the Department of Defense Appropriation Act, 1954. Similar provisions were contained in the following prior appropriation acts:
July 10, 1952, ch. 630, title VI, §606,
Oct. 18, 1951, ch. 512, title VI, §606,
Sept. 6, 1950, ch. 896, ch. X, title VI, §607,
Oct. 29, 1949, ch. 787, title VI, §607,
June 24, 1948, ch. 632,
July 30, 1947, ch. 357, title I,
July 16, 1946, ch. 583,
July 3, 1945, ch. 265,
June 28, 1944, ch. 303,
Amendments
2011—
§456. Managed travel program refunds
(a)
(b)
(c)
(1)
(2)
(Added