Proposed Amendment to Joint Travel Regulations

An opinion was requested on a proposed amendment to the Joint Travel Regulations (J.T.R.) which would eliminate the necessity of travel orders for civilian employees participating in sea trial trips when the only per diem involved is that payable while the employees are aboard the government ship. The proposed amendment eliminating the requirement for written orders for sea trial trips would not be proper because the Federal Travel Regulations require that written orders be issued prior to incurring expenses unless prior issuance is impractical or travel is of a limited nature. However, J.T.R. may be amended to provide for general written travel orders and multiple payment procedures for sea trial trips.