[Decision Concerning Transportation of Dependents and Household Goods of Court-Martialed Service Members]

The Department of Defense requested a decision on whether it could amend the Joint Travel Regulations to authorize the transportation of dependents and the shipment of household goods of service members stationed in the continental United States who are court-martialed and sentenced to confinement. GAO noted that: (1) a transfer to a facility for a period of confinement cannot be considered a move to a new permanent duty station and; (2) a service member cannot receive the transportation entitlements unless ordered to relocate. GAO concluded that there was no statutory authority that would allow for the payment of transportation expenses for the dependents and household goods of a court-martialed member stationed in the continental United States who is sentenced to confinement.