Defense Travel System will make Reserve travel easier
by MC2 Ryan Hill
The Navy Reserve is making an effort to save money and make Reservists' jobs easier by using the Defense Travel System (DTS). The Reserve Force has already rolled out DTS at Navy Operational Support Center Everett, Wash., and plans on making it operational nationwide by the end of May 2010.

The Department of Defense uses DTS to book travel related expenses for temporary assignments. Military members use it to book flights, hotels and rental cars for work-related assignments.

Presently, the Reserve is only required to use the Navy Reserve Order Writing System (NROWS) to bring Reserve Sailors on active duty for short periods. The requirement to use both DTS and NROWS will shorten the time to book travel and receive travel claims.

"A Reservist will put their orders in NROWS and go through the standard approval process," said Cmdr. Donald Ross, director of Force travel for Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command (CNRFC). "Once the orders are fully approved, NROWS will export the approved orders and related data into DTS. The Reservist will then log into DTS and select their desired airline flight, lodging and rental car in accordance with requirements of the Joint Forces Travel regulations. This new system will replace the much more labor and manpower-intensive Legacy travel system."

Using DTS in conjunction with NROWS will also make any needed changes in travel plans a lot easier.

The DTS will also make it more convenient when a Reservist returns home from traveling. When a Reservist comes back from their trip, they will no longer have to file a paper travel claim. They will be able to document their expenses on a voucher in DTS. They will then be able to fax their receipts in to a computer that will scan and attach them to the voucher. This will all amount to the Reservist being reimbursed within 72 hours. This quicker repayment of funds may lead to a greater willingness to travel in support of Navy missions, which in turn leads to more Reservists being ready now, anytime, anywhere.

CNRFC is currently on schedule to roll out the new NROWS DTS to the Northwest Region by the end of July, with subsequent staggered rollouts to Regions Midwest, Mid Atlantic, Southeast and Southwest.

For more information on the Navy Reserve Force, visit the Navy Reserve Web site at https://www.navyreserve.navy.mil.>