Authority To Ship Military Members' Household Goods Without Issuance of Orders

An Assistant Secretary of the Navy requested an advance decision on the authority to ship military members' household goods without issuance of orders of permanent change-of-station (PCS). He suggested the amendment of Joint Travel Regulations to authorize the transportation of household goods of military personnel based on a statement of intent to change a ship's home port, but prior to issuance of permanent PCS orders, where a ship is scheduled for overhaul and the PCS cannot be timely issued. A similar amendment was proposed to provide that the costs of returning the goods to the members' old or a new local residence be at Government expense, in case the overhaul is cancelled and the home port change is revoked after the goods have been picked up and placed in storage. If such a payment for return shipment is not provided, it was suggested that the regulations be amended to provide authorization of an advance shipment of household effects, provided the member covered agrees in writing to pay the costs incurred in the event the scheduled overhaul is cancelled. In response, GAO stated that Congress has recognized and given authority for the movements of household effects and dependents in unusual or emergency circumstances incident to some military operation or requirement. Applying this criteria, GAO held that the situation in question may be regarded as unusual circumstances incident to military operations. On that basis, GAO has no objection to the proposed amendments necessary to cover the first two items in question. In the matter of the the third item, amendment is not necessary.