R 121716Z FEB 18
MARADMIN 100/18
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC PR WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/2017 UPDATE ON GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CHARGE CARD USE DURING PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION TRAVEL//
REF/A/MARADMIN 001/16//
REF/B/ MCTIM HQMC-P&R (RFF) 4650.37A//
REF/C/ DODFMR//
REF/D/ JTR//
REF/E/ MCO 4600.40B //
NARR/REF A IS MARADMIN 001/16 WHICH DIRECTED USE OF THE GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CHARGE CARD DURING PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION TRAVEL.  REF B IS THE MARINE CORPS TRAVEL INSTRUCTION MANUAL.  REF C IS THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT REGULATION.  REF D IS THE JOINT TRAVEL REGULATIONS.  REF E IS THE GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CHARGE CARD (GTCC) PROGRAM MARINE CORPS
ORDER.//
POC/SCOTT COCHRAN/MSGT/HQMC-RFF/TEL: 703-432-9139 (DSN 378)//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Purpose.  This MARADMIN reiterates the requirement established by REF A to use the Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC) during Permanent Change of Station (PCS) travel and clarifies some misconceptions regarding its use and the impact on travel entitlements.  This message also authorizes use of the GTCC for Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) related expenses at overseas locations.   A new YouTube video has been created covering family member travel which can be viewed at: https(slant) (slant)www.dvidshub.net/video/532049/government-travel-charge-card.
2.  This policy applies to all Marines in receipt of operational or rotational PCS orders who complete an outbound interview using Marine Online (MOL) as directed by their servicing administrative center.  This policy also applies to General Officers in receipt of PCS orders even though an outbound interview (OBI) is not required.  This policy does not apply to Marines in receipt of the following types of orders:
    a.  Accession pipeline
    b.  PCS orders that include periods of Temporary Duty Under Instruction (TEMINS) enroute
    c.  Reserve call to duty PCS orders issued in Marine Reserve Order Writing System (MROWS)
    d.  Separation orders.
3.  Background.  During initial implementation of this policy in 2016, a few areas of concern surfaced which were addressed through the dissemination of a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document which is published in REF B and can be found at the following WEB site:https:(slant)(slant)www.manpower.usmc.mil/webcenter/portal/oracle/webcenter/page/scopedMD/s0e167c42_23fc_4b6e_837b_d20be8bb2574/Page5.jspx?showFooter=false&wc.contextURL%3D%2Fspaces%2FFinance%26=&leftWidth=0%25&showHeader=false&rightWidth=0%25&centerWidth=100%25&_adf.ctrl-state=7vvmqa4bb_49&_afrLoop=162568234940535#! The following concerns were heard most frequently:The misconception that GTCC use impacts travel entitlements, GTCC use by families not traveling together, the timing of port call requests, and passing GTCC account information to the Travel Management Company (TMC, previously referred to as CTO).  Each of these concerns is addressed below.
    a.  PCS Travel Entitlements and GTCC use.  Use of the GTCC has no impact on PCS travel entitlements.  Travel entitlements remain the same and are based on the Marine’s individual circumstances.  Travel advances are not authorized because the GTCC must be used for official travel related expenses.  There was some confusion that if the GTCC was not used for Dislocation Allowance (DLA) related expenses then all or a portion of DLA was forfeited.  That is not accurate.  DLA remains unchanged if the Marine is otherwise qualified.
    b.  GTCC use when families travel separately from the Marine.  Marines can request and receive travel advances for family member travel when the Marine travels apart from the family.
    c.  Port Call Requests.  GTCCs are automatically activated 10 days prior to the estimated date of departure (EDD), or when the OBI is certified by the administrative center, if within the 10 day window prior to the EDD.  If travelers are required to make travel arrangements earlier than 10 days prior to the EDD, the unit Agency Program Coordinator (APC) should be contacted for assistance in activating the GTCC and placing the account in a PCS/Mission Critical status.
    d.  Passing GTCC Account Information to the Travel Management Company (TMC).  During the travel arrangement process the traveler must contact the TMC and pass the GTCC account information.
4.  Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA).  TLA is paid through the Marine Corps Total Force System (MCTFS) as a pay entitlement.  Unlike travel settlement systems, MCTFS does not have the capability of split disbursing a portion of the payment to the card provider.  Therefore, Marines must submit TLA reimbursement claims promptly as required by local business rules and are responsible for ensuring timely payments are made to the card provider.
   a.  Cardholder.  Marines must self-register on www.citimanager.com/login for access to Citimanager in order to receive online GTCC statements.  Marines must check in with their command Agency Program Coordinator (APC) upon reporting and indicate that they are in a TLA status.
   b.  APC.  The receiving command APC will ensure the Marines GTCC is added to their hierarchy, remains active, is in a PCS/Mission Critical status, and credit limits are adjusted to the level necessary for the duration of the TLA period.  The APC will closely monitor accounts in a PCS status and ensure Marines are paying balances when due.  Detaching APCs will inform Marines who are PCSing to TLA locations of the new requirements to use GTCC for TLA.
   c.  Disbursing and Finance offices will process TLA claims in accordance with local business rules and ensure Marines are reimbursed timely for properly submitted claims.
4.  Any cardholder who requires assistance during the PCS travel period should contact the APC from their former command. If already reported to the new PDS, contact the APC of the new PDS.  If the cardholder is unable to reach the APC, Citi Customer Service should be contacted by calling the number on the back of the GTCC.
5.  Agency Program Coordinator (APC) instructions.  Upon check-out, APCs must counsel cardholders concerning proper use of the GTCC and who they should contact if issues arise.  Upon check-in and after the traveler has established a new address, APCs will advise cardholders to update their contact information and address in Citimanager.  If the cardholder does not have a Citimanager account, the APC should make the necessary changes or assist the cardholder in creating an account.  APCs will advise cardholders concerning proper split-disbursement and remind them that they must review their GTCC statements to ensure there is a zero balance upon final settlement.
6.  Applicability.  This policy does not apply to accession, separation, or retirement travel, nor does it affect the payment of advance pay in accordance with REF C or advance Basic Allowance for Housing to pay for rental deposits as outlined in REF D.  Additionally, this policy does not apply to PCS travel for civilian personnel, Selected Marine Corps Reserve, Individual Mobilization Augmentee, or Individual Ready Reserve Marines as these populations do not use the same order writing and outbound interview processes.  Additionally, this policy does not apply to U.S. Navy personnel assigned to Marine Corps commands.
7.  This policy will be incorporated into REF E and the Inspector General and Marine Corps checklist.
8.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General Gary L. Thomas, Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources.//