[Decision Concerning Transportation and Travel Expenses of Service Members Testifying in Court Proceedings]

The Department of Defense: (1) requested a decision concerning uniformed services members' entitlement to reimbursement for expenses incident to duty as witnesses in criminal court proceedings in state or local courts; and (2) proposed a regulation change to allow authorization of travel expenses for members required to appear as witnesses in a state or local criminal proceeding. GAO held that: (1) members of the uniformed services are entitled to travel allowances when the travel is in the government's interest, but not for personal business; and (2) it would not object to an amendment to the Joint Travel Regulations to provide members of the uniformed services with travel expenses when they are required to testify in federal, state, or local courts as necessary witnesses.