Claim for Reimbursement of Cost of Dependents' Travel from Germany to the United States

Congressional intent and implementation of Joint Travel Regulations were examined with an emphasis on reimbursement of claims for travel by military dependents in a family emergency. Travel expenses were incurred when an Army member's dependents returned to the United States at no expense to the Government on a "space-available" basis due to a verified emergency. Upon arrival the situation was such that the dependents remained in the United States. The claimant sought reimbursement based on regulations which allow in certain situations the early return of a member's dependents from overseas even though the member's permanent station remains unchanged. Regulations state that the serious illness of a close relative qualifies as a situation within the purview of statutes, when the return of the dependents is determined to be in the best interests of the Government and the member or his dependents. GAO concurred with the Army's denial of this claim because no orders were issued authorizing travel pursuant to regulations. However, it seems that the situation presented in this case is a recurring one which might be a basis for an amendment or addition to the Joint Travel Regulations. The Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee of the Department of Defense has been asked to initiate changes which would permit travel at Government expense in future cases of this nature.