Request for Opinion Concerning Renewal Travel

An opinion was requested in connection with a proposal by the Department of the Army for employees who are subject to a 5-year overseas service limitation. The Army proposed a change to the Joint Travel Regulations which would allow employees on a 36-month overseas tour to take renewal travel within a 1-year timeframe, that is, either 6 months before or 6 months after completion of the 36-month tour, provided that the renewal agreement is for duty in a 36-month or 24-month tour area. At the present time, the initial agreement period may be reduced up to 6 months, provided that the renewal agreement period is correspondingly increased, but the initial period may not be extended. GAO found no statutory or regulatory bar to the proposed flexibility in the length of overseas tours of duty for the purpose of renewal travel expenses provided it does not negate the employee's entitlement to separation travel at the completion of the prescribed tour of duty.