(Editor's Note: Travelers should take direction from their commands.)
The Under Secretary of War, Personnel and Readiness issued memorandum “Updated Guidance on Department of Defense Civilian Travel” [PDF] on Sept. 15, 2025, lifting limitations placed on non-exempted travel for DOW civilians that were established on March 5, 2025. Agency Program Coordinators may restore DOW civilians’ Government Travel Charge Cards to the limits deemed appropriate by their Component.
The March 5, 2025, limits were imposed by Executive Order 14222 and the Office of USDPR memorandum “Guidance for Use of Government Travel Cards by DOW Civilian Employees,” which defined non-exempted travel as any travel not in direct support of military operations, permanent change of stations, and other mission-critical categories.
However, the new guidance requires Component Heads to establish and implement a process for requesting, approving/denying, and recording of conference and other “non-essential travel.” The new guidance defines non-essential travel as any travel not in direct support of military operations, permanent change of stations, and other mission-critical categories of travel specified by PSAs and DOW Component heads.
Check with your commands for new guidance and procedures for obtaining approval for travel.