[Request for Reconsideration of Claims Group's Denial of Army Reserve Member's Claim for Travel Allowances]

An Army Reserve officer requested reconsideration of his denied claim for reimbursement for travel expenses he incurred incident to his active duty. GAO had held that the claimant's status as a standby reservist prohibited such reimbursement. In his request for reconsideration, the claimant contended that: (1) he was a ready reservist; and (2) the Army Reserve Personnel Center issued his active duty orders on a nonpay basis, citing lack of funds, but advised him that his unit would issue an active duty order authorizing travel. GAO held that the: (1) claimant was entitled to reimbursement for his travel expenses in conformity with the applicable regulations, since ready reservists' rights to travel allowances were not negotiable; and (2) Army Reserve Personnel Center should retroactively modify its orders to allow payment of his travel expenses. Accordingly, the claim was allowed.