[Army Member's Claim for Reimbursement for Dependents' Travel Costs]

The Army requested a decision concerning whether an officer was entitled to reimbursement for travel costs for his two dependent children, over whom he obtained legal custody after his transfer overseas. GAO held that the claimant was entitled to reimbursement, since the: (1) purpose of the first trip was to establish residence with the claimant; (2) claimant obtained advance approval to return the children to his former spouse; and (3) return was in the children's interest, as they wished to reside with their mother. Accordingly, the claim was allowed.