[Request for Advance Decision on Air Force Member's Claim for Reimbursement of Emergency Leave Expenses]

The Air Force requested an advance decision concerning: (1) the propriety of a member's claim for reimbursement for transportation expenses he incurred by using his private automobile while on an emergency leave; and (2) whether it could amend the regulation authorizing reimbursement of costs for international emergency travel leave by automobile on a mileage or actual-expense basis. GAO held that the service member was not entitled to reimbursement for his travel expenses, since: (1) reimbursement for transportation expenses on an emergency leave was authorized only for air transportation; and (2) Congress did not intend to reimburse service members for all of their travel and transportation expenses associated with emergency leave. Accordingly, the claim was denied, and the Air Force should not amend the travel regulations.