Payment of Travel Expenses To Receive Honor Awards

A decision was requested as to the propriety of amending the Joint Travel Regulations to authorize travel of military members and civilian employees of the Department of Defense in a temporary duty status at Government expense and to pay expenses of dependents for travel to certain awards ceremonies. Travel and transportation expenses of civilian employees and military members who travel on temporary duty to receive honor awards may be paid by the Government if the award is reasonably related to the duties and functions of the employee or member. If the travel to receive an award involves attending meetings or conventions, regulations which would authorize such travel must be in accordance with existing statutes. There is no statutory authority for travel of dependents or next of kin to attend such ceremonies.