Commissioned Corps BulletinJanuary 28, 2015

JFTR-JTR Merger

Submitted by: LCDR Tracy Powell and LT Andrew Okolo

• On October 1, 2014, the Joint Federal Travel Regulations, Volume 1 (JFTR) and the Joint Travel Regulations, Volume 2 (JTR) officially merged into a single set of regulations called the “Joint Travel Regulations.” The consolidated version of the regulations is available at www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/travelreg.cfm.
• The merger of the JFTR and JTR into one volume of information simplifies and updates the regulations to be more easily accessible and understandable to travelers, and provides aligned language that highlights where allowances are different for uniformed members and civilians. This will ensure civilians and uniformed members receive the correct allowances without referring to two separate volumes.
• The merger allows for Uniformed Service Member and Civilian Employee regulations to be in ONE volume of regulations ("one stop shopping" for the user).
• The consolidation process compared parallel JFTR/JTR regulations, eliminated redundant information where possible, and revised outdated language/terms when legally possible.
• The merger was accomplished by:
  • Merging the regulations, where possible;
  • Rewriting the information using simpler, more easily understood wording;
  • Reformatting and reorganizing the information to allow for a better visual flow of the information;
  • Eliminating redundant information; and
  • Updating outdated language and terminology.
• This effort reduced the overall number of pages from 2,318 to 1,634.
• A single set of consolidated travel regulations is the first step in further simplifying DoD travel policy, which is the key underpinning to Travel Reform.
• Future steps include simplifying processes and standardizing allowances for uniformed members and civilians, and ultimately rewriting any remaining complex language.
• These efforts result in travel regulations that are simple, efficient, relevant and flexible.

For more information on this policy change, please contact the Commissioned Corps Military Advisory Panel Representatives LCDR Tracy Powell at tracy.powell@hhs.gov or LT Andrew Okolo at andrew.okolo@hhs.gov.