FORT JACKSON, S.C. (Dec. 4, 2014) -- Soldiers and Department of the Army civilians must use their individually billed account government travel charge card, or GTCC, to pay for permanent-change-of-station expenses. However, help is available to Soldiers and civilians who may need to prepare to use their GTCC for moving expenses, said Edward Hinson, director of the Fort Jackson Defense Military Pay Office, or DMPO.
"The first thing they have to do when they receive their orders is contact their local agency program coordinator to sign up for the PCS program, and when they get to their next duty station they have to contact the APC there and inform them of their arrival," Hinson said.
Tarsha Purnell, financial management analyst and agency program coordinator for the Army Training Center, said Soldiers will need to fill out a memorandum of enrollment form when visiting the APC office to sign up for the PCS program.
"This form allows us to have forwarding information to ensure the cardholder's new unit has transferred the card account into its hierarchy upon the reporting date or within 10 days of reporting," Purnell said.
Purnell said the cardholder's enrollment in the PCS program also provides protective measures on the account.
"Registration into the PCS program places the cardholder's account into 'PCS status,' which prevents any monthly late fee penalties (after 30 days) for delays in settlements with travel vouchers as a result of a delinquent account," Purnell said. "The program also helps track PCS-related expenses that are reimbursable when finalizing travel vouchers. Travelers will need to maintain all receipts to justify and support entitlements."
Hinson said there are other benefits to using the travel card.
"When Soldiers enroll in the PCS program they do not have to wait around for the dislocation allowance and travel advances," he said. "They can withdraw up to the limit that they are authorized for the dislocation allowance and the advanced travel from the ATM."
Hinson said that Soldiers are potentially cutting 10 days off their wait time for dislocation allowance and travel advances by using the government travel charge card.
"The Soldiers can receive these funds immediately, whereas before they would have to probably wait a few days for that money," he said.
Hinson said that he is aware that some Soldiers prefer the old system.
"We have Soldiers who will come in and flat-out say they do not want to use the card and they want their advance. Well, we cannot do that. If you have a card, you have to use it," he said. "Soldiers who travel more than twice a year are required to have a card. If they refuse to get one, then that's something they need to refer to their chain of command. If they refuse to get a travel card they will not receive a (temporary duty) travel advance because they should have had a card and chose not to get one."
Hinson said it is important for Soldiers to keep in mind that the mandate is for those with an individually billed account, or IBA, and that the guidance does not say Soldiers must obtain an IBA for a PCS move. Hinson said Soldiers who do not have a travel card should take their travel orders to the DMPO office. The staff will verify that they do not have a card, and PCS travel will be reimbursed as before.
The mandate for Soldiers to use their travel cards went into effect in July, and Hinson said he asks Soldiers to be patient.
"Some of the issues we are having are because Soldiers are not receiving the right information about the government travel card process," he said. "We are here to answer any questions you may have about using the GTCC. If you are having issues while on travel, contact your point of contact for the government travel card or us ... we'll help you."
Related Links:
DOD News: Travel Regulation Changes Affect PCS Moves, Travelers
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