When it comes to tour duty tickets in the military, there are often questions around how many times they can be used. In the opening paragraphs, we’ll provide a quick answer to this question before diving into more details.
Quick Answer
The quick answer is that typically, tour duty tickets can only be used once. A tour duty ticket is essentially a voucher that allows a service member to take leave en route when moving from one duty station to another. It is usually valid for one set of leave orders as the service member travels between assignments.
What is a Tour Duty Ticket?
A tour duty ticket, sometimes referred to as a TDY ticket, is a document that authorizes military leave en route when PCSing (moving for a Permanent Change of Station) between duty stations. It allows the service member to take leave during the transfer and receive travel reimbursement.
Some key things to know about tour duty tickets:
- They are typically authorized for no more than 30 days of leave
- They cover authorized travel expenses for the service member, and in some cases, dependents
- They can only be used once per set of PCS orders
- They must be requested and approved in advance of the PCS
The purpose of the tour duty ticket is to allow the service member flexibility in moving between stations. It gives them time to go home, handle personal matters, or transition between locations before reporting to the new duty station.
Can It Be Used Multiple Times?
In most cases, a tour duty ticket can only be used once per set of PCS orders. The key phrase is “once per set of orders.” This means if a service member receives multiple sets of PCS orders within a certain timeframe, they may be eligible for more than one tour duty ticket.
For example, if a service member receives orders to PCS from Base A to Base B, they would be eligible for a single tour duty ticket to cover that move. However, if for some reason they then immediately receive another set of orders to PCS from Base B to Base C shortly after arriving at Base B, they may be eligible for a second tour duty ticket to cover that additional move.
So while tour duty tickets are typically “one and done” per set of orders, service members can sometimes qualify for multiple tickets in close succession depending on their particular PCS situation.
Are There Any Exceptions?
There are a few scenarios where a tour duty ticket may authorized for use more than once:
- Extended or Amended Orders: If the service member receives extended or amended PCS orders, they may be eligible for an additional tour duty ticket.
- PCS from Overseas: When returning from an overseas PCS back to the continental United States (CONUS), the service may authorize a second tour duty ticket.
- Unusual Circumstances: In rare cases, the service may approve another tour duty ticket if there are unusual circumstances outside the member’s control that require additional leave.
However, these are exceptions and not the norm. The approval authority for additional tour duty tickets in these situations is typically high (HQ level) to prevent abuse of the policy.
Tour Duty Ticket Use Case Examples
Here are several examples to illustrate tour duty ticket use:
PCS Move from Base A to Base B
- Airman Jones receives PCS orders to move from Base A to Base B
- He requests and is approved a tour duty ticket to cover his move
- Airman Jones may use this tour duty ticket once to take leave en route as he moves between bases
Back-to-Back PCS Moves
- Sgt Smith receives orders to PCS from Base X to Base Y
- She uses her approved tour duty ticket to take 20 days leave en route
- Shortly after arriving to Base Y, Sgt Smith receives another set of orders to PCS to Base Z
- Because these are new PCS orders, she is eligible to request and use a second tour duty ticket for this move
Overseas PCS Back to CONUS
- Lt Jones is stationed overseas in Germany
- He receives orders for a PCS move back to the United States
- Lt Jones may be eligible for one tour duty ticket for his move from Germany to the new U.S. base
- He may also be approved for a second ticket for travel from the U.S. base to his home of record for additional leave
This illustrates how in certain scenarios like an overseas move, a second consecutive tour duty ticket may be authorized.
Can a Tour Duty Ticket Be Extended?
In most cases, once a tour duty ticket has been used, it cannot be extended for additional leave time beyond what was originally approved. The service member must carefully plan their leave usage within the number of days authorized on the tour duty ticket.
There are limited exceptions where an extension may be granted, such as:
- Illness/injury – If the service member requires medical treatment/convalescent leave
- Emergency situations – Death in the family, crisis, natural disaster delaying travel
- Duty-related situations – Mission requirements that delay the service member’s travel
However, the approval authority for tour duty ticket extensions is very high and such cases are rare. Most of the time, the dates approved on the original ticket are firm, so the service member must plan carefully within those constraints.
Can Tour Duty Tickets Be Stopped/Delayed?
In certain situations, the military may temporarily stop or delay processing of tour duty tickets:
- High operational tempo/deployments – During major operations, PCS moves may be frozen
- Sequestration/budget constraints – Fiscal limitations can temporarily halt nonessential moves
- COVID-19 – Force health protection restrictions on travel
- Natural disasters – Hurricane, wildfire, or flooding disruptions
However, once conditions return to normal, tour duty tickets processing would resume. The authorized leave period may be adjusted if the PCS or leave travel was significantly disrupted.
When Should Tour Duty Tickets Be Requested?
To ensure proper authorization, tour duty tickets should be requested as far in advance as possible, typically as soon as PCS orders are received. The specific timeline may vary by service, but in general:
- Active Duty: Request at least 30 days prior to departure
- Reserve/National Guard: Request at least 60 days prior
This allows time for routing and approval. The service member should also work with administrators to secure any required follow-on transportation, lodging, and other administrative details.
Denied Tour Duty Ticket Appeals
If a tour duty ticket request is denied, the service member does have the right to appeal or re-submit with supplemental justification. Reasons for denial may include:
- Insufficient justification or documentation
- Exceeding maximum use limits
- Recent disciplinary issues
- Critical manning requirements
By providing additional context on family emergencies, health issues, or other factors, many initial denials can be successfully appealed or reversed.
Conclusion
In summary, while tour duty tickets are normally authorized for one period of leave use per set of PCS orders, there are some limited exceptions where more than one can be granted. Service members should request tour duty tickets well in advance, properly plan their leave use within the dates authorized, and retain their paperwork in case issues arise that require administrative corrections or appeals.
With proper coordination and understanding of the tour duty ticket policy, military personnel can reduce stress during PCS moves and successfully use their earned leave during the transfer process.
Scenario | Tour Duty Ticket Use |
---|---|
Standard PCS move from Base A to Base B | Typically one ticket authorized for leave en route |
Back-to-back PCS moves | May qualify for multiple tickets (one per order set) |
Returning from Overseas to CONUS | May authorize a second ticket for leave at home station |
Unforeseen circumstances | Second ticket may be granted on rare exception basis |
This table summarizes some of the scenarios discussed where use of multiple tour duty tickets may be permitted.
Some key tips for service members are:
- Request tour duty tickets as early as possible once receiving PCS orders
- Manage leave carefully within the number of days approved
- Save paperwork in case you need to appeal a denial or issues arise
- If denied, resubmit withamplifying details on your circumstances
- Unusual cases exist, but exceptions are limited
Following these practices will help maximize the flexibility and benefits provided by the tour duty ticket system during PCS moves.