GTC do's and don'ts

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Wesley Wright
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  In today's increased operations tempo, Airmen are spending more and more time on the road, whether for relocation, training or in support of overseas contingency operations. That's why the Air Force gives members a convenient means of funding official travel through the Government Travel Card program.

The Government Travel Card is available to Department of Defense employees with the strict understanding that it will not be abused or misused in any way.

Use of the GTC is a benefit, not an entitlement, and misuse or irresponsibility can reflect negatively on an individual's credit and your career. Abuse of the GTC is punishable under DoD regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice, so understanding the responsibilities and limitations of using the card can save Airmen from serious legal and financial trouble.

The following points are important for Airmen to remember:

DO'S:

- Use only when on official travel
- Use it to pay for your lodging expense
- Use it to pay for a rental car, including operating expenses (gas, oil, parking, tolls, etc) when authorized per travel orders
- Can be used to pay for your meals while on official travel orders
- Use for expenses incurred while operating a privately owned conveyance when monetary allowance in lieu of transportation is authorized
- Use it for registration fees when authorized in orders
- Ask for and retain receipts whenever possible
- Contact your unit coordinator when PCSing to a new location
- Submit a travel voucher immediately after completing your official travel

DON'T USE THE CARD FOR THE FOLLOWING EXPENSES (USING THE CARD FOR THE BELOW ITEMS IS CARD MISUSE AND COULD RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY ACTION)

- Alcoholic beverages (unless part of a meal)
- Any item charged for personal use when not in a travel status or on official government business
- Any personal item generally not reimbursable (furniture, stereo equipment, mortgage payments, slot machines, etc.)
- Expenses incurred for other persons
- Entertainment expenses
- ATM withdrawals when not in travel status or on official business
- Meal procured at the permanent duty station or vicinity

POSSIBLE DISCIPLINARY ACTION: Misuse of the government travel charge card can result in the following actions under UCMJ, Article 92 or 134:

- Verbal Counseling
- Letter of Counseling/Reprimand (UIF/NO UIF)
- Control Roster
- Denial of Reenlistment
- Promotion Propriety Action (Removal from promotion list)
- EPR/OPR Comment/Rating
- Separation Actions
- Non Judicial Punishment
- Court Martial

For more information on the GTC, contact your local program coordinator or visit
http://www.dfas.mil/travelpay/governmentsponsoredtravelcard.html.

[Editor's note: Tech. Sgt. Melody Jackson, 5th Comptroller Squadron, contributed to this article.]