Summary of Changes
Improving conditions warrant a transition in the DoD approach to international and domestic travel
DoD transitioned away from the Stop Movement projected end date of 30 June 2020 to a conditions-based, phased approach to personnel movement and travel
Conditions to resume unrestricted travel are included in the Secretary of Defense 22 May 2020 memo titled, Transition to Conditions-based Phased Approach to Coronavirus Disease 2019 Personnel Movement and Travel Restrictions (Attachment 1)
Additional guidance to execute ‘conditions-based, phased approach to personnel movement and travel’ is under development and will be disseminated when available
Personnel movement and travel will continue under exemptions listed in Part I.3. and waivers as outlined in Part I.4
Recent OSD memo added travel exemption for Professional Military Education programs (Part I.3.I) and terminal leave/PTDY in conjunction with Retirements (Part I.6.C.)
Updated "File Atch 4. Questions and Answers (28 May 20)"
1. (UPDATED) Secretary of Defense 22 May 2020 memorandum titled, Transition to Conditions-based Phased Approach to Coronavirus Disease 2019 Personnel Movement and Travel Restrictions, reissued travel restriction guidance for DoD Components that will remain in effect until further notice (Attachment 1).
All uniformed personnel and their sponsored dependents will stop movement, both internationally and domestically, while this memorandum is in effect, subject to the exemptions and waivers described herein (see Part I, paragraphs 2-4). DoD family members, whose transportation is government funded, will also stop movement. Concurrent Travel is not automatically approved unless specifically exempted herein.
Except as provided below, this stop movement applies to all official travel, including temporary duty (TDY) travel; Government-funded leave travel; permanent duty travel, including Permanent Change of Station (PCS) travel; and travel related to Authorized and Ordered Departures issued by the Department of State. For DoD active duty service members and Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard members in a duty status, it also includes personal leave outside the local area and non-official travel outside the local area.
2. (NEW) Conditions for Unrestricted Travel:
Conditions to resume service member and dependent unrestricted travel rest on state and/or regional criteria and installation-level criteria based on conditions in and surrounding DoD installations, facilities, and locations as outlined in Attachment 1.
Unrestricted travel may resume between installations when criteria is met (subject to assessments by Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)), Secretary of the Air Force, and the Commanders of the Combatant commands).
Additional guidance to execute ‘conditions-based, phased approach to personnel movement and travel’ is under development and will be disseminated when available.
3. Exemptions:
The following exemptions apply to both member and dependents for international and domestic travel. Travel resulting from approved exemptions and waivers must follow guidance in paragraph 5 before initiating travel to ensure measures to enhance traveler safety are met:
A. Airmen and sponsored dependents are authorized to proceed/continue to their final destination on approved orders, with coordination from both losing and gaining installations, in the following situations:
1. Airmen and their dependents who upon Stop Movement implementation,
- were ordered to remain in place at their losing Permanent Duty Station –
AND
- who have final out-processed with the MPF;
OR
2. Airmen and their dependents who upon Stop Movement implementation,
- were imminently departing the losing installation,
- were ordered to remain in place at their losing Permanent Duty Station,
- have not final out-processed with the MPF,
- no longer occupy permanent quarters prior to the Stop Movement directive
- all Household Goods (HHG) were picked-up prior to the Stop Movement directive
3. Dependents were delayed from traveling concurrently with the Airman upon Stop Movement implementation;
4. Airmen and their sponsored dependents who were ordered to Stop Movement while enroute and placed in TDY hold status pending further transportation to their final destination.
Airmen and sponsored dependents who do not meet the above conditions should continue to elevate any mission essential, hardship or humanitarian requests through their chain of command in order to obtain a waiver as outlined in paragraph 4 below.
B. Authorized travelers whose non-GFM TDY ends while this directive is in effect are authorized to return to their permanent duty station.
Non-GFM ARC members must return to their home duty station prior to the end of their orders. No authority exists to involuntarily extend non-GFM ARC members. ARC personnel required to self-quarantine will extend an additional 14 days on the same set of TDY orders. AFR specific orders guidance will be provided in a separate document.
C. Unaccompanied Airmen to or from short tour location rotations:
1. Unaccompanied Airmen rotating to or from short tour locations and accompanied CENTCOM PCS rotations have been determined to be mission essential (Attachment 5).
Airmen rotating to or from short tour locations and are at/past original DEROS or at/past original RNLTD month, are authorized to proceed on assignment contingent on: gaining/losing command coordination and location-specific operating procedures listed in Attachment 6 (if applicable). Additional waivers are not required and travel will be IAW paragraph 5 below.
Losing Commanders remain responsible for tracking and documenting movement of their personnel.
Proceed time, a period of 4 consecutive days absence, is authorized in conjunction with PCS to/from an unaccompanied overseas assignment for individuals (regardless of marital status) who relocate dependents and/or household goods. Travel will be in IAW Paragraph 5 below. If the proceed time does not adequately cover the time required, leave enroute is authorized. Leave enroute must be limited to individuals who must assist their dependents to proceed to the next assignment/designated location and limited to one location with the expectation it is solely for the purpose of relocating their families. No other leave enroute is authorized.
2. Squadron Commanders (at short tour locations):
a. To ensure appropriate reception and bed down capacity exists at short tour location, squadron commanders at these locations may request adjustments to the impacted inbound Airmen RNLTDs.
b. Squadron commanders may have an Airman’s adjusted DEROS changed in order to facilitate accelerated travel.
c. Will coordinate with their servicing MPF to update DEROS and RNLTDs IAW Part I, paragraph 3.C.3. below.
3. MPFs at gaining short tour location will consolidate and submit batch DEROS and RNLTD changes via email to afpc.dp3am.workflow@us.af.mil marked “COVID-19 Short Tour Rotations” for update by AFPC/DP3AM after coordination with the losing commander.
4. Airmen inbound to short tour locations: Airmen that already had their RNLTD adjusted due to stop movement travel restrictions must remain in contact with their chain of command and supporting MPF Assignments counselor for a potential additional RNLTD adjustment. Airmen should begin preparation for travel IAW local out-processing procedures; travel will be IAW paragraph 5. Refer to Attachment 6 for location-specific operating procedures (if applicable).
5. Losing MPFs, non-short tour locations: After completion of the following, losing MPFs (non-short tour locations) are authorized to out-process Airmen:
a. The associated PCS requirements are followed.
b. Gaining/losing command coordination.
c. Compliance with location-specific operating procedures listed in Attachment 6 (if applicable).
d. Document exemptions or waivers IAW procedures outlined in Part I, paragraph 5.E. below.
If departing Airman are outside their adjusted 60-day RNLTD window and their gaining unit chain of command initiates contact to proceed to short tour location, the Airman may be out-processed. In these cases, a request to AFPC requesting an RNLTD acceleration is not required. Category 1 discrepancies will not be processed for members who report/depart outside the 60-day window of RNLTDs that were adjusted due to the stop movement order.
D. Travel by patients, as well as their authorized escorts and attendants, for purposes of medical treatment is authorized. Travel by medical providers for the purposes of medical treatment for DoD personnel and their families is also authorized.
E. U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) is authorized to continue execution of the Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise as required to project and sustain the Joint Force globally. This includes forces (aircrews and mission essential personnel) ordered on prepare to deploy orders (PTDO) alert status, air refueling, global patient movement, Mortuary Affairs support, inland surface, sea and air sustainment missions, support to other U.S. Agencies as approved by Secretary of Defense, and moves of personnel and equipment that support USTRANSCOM global posture requirements.
F. (UPDATED) Retirements and Separations: Airmen retiring or separating are exempt. Travel is authorized to take transition leave. All other leave not associated with transition leave is governed by existing travel restrictions. Airmen who are unable to schedule household good shipments or travel due to local restrictions or shelter-in-place initiatives may request changes to their retirement/separation dates via myPers.
G. Casualty and Mortuary Affairs programs have outlined exemptions for their mission sets in guidance dated 27 Mar 20. See Attachment 7.
H. Student and instructor travel associated with uniformed personnel Recruiting and Accessions activities, to include accessions, basic training, advanced individual training (Initial Skills Training (IST), Technical Training and Retraining), and follow-on travel to the first duty station. Coordination between losing and gaining commander before departure is required.
I. (UPDATED) The Air Force will continue to develop Airmen through technical and flying training and advanced academic education. Travel to and from Professional Military Education (PME) programs is authorized.
Military Instructors with a projected PCS who are supporting the following missions are authorized to PCS with dependents concurrently, however coordination between losing and gaining commander and/or owning organization is required before departure and organizations must be updated on travel itinerary: Technical and flying training and advanced academic education courses to include Officer Training School (OTS), Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), Basic Military Training (BMT), advanced academic education such as, the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies (SAASS), Air Command and Staff College (ACSC), Air War College (AWC), Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Fellowships, Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) and Sister Service schools.
Military Students with a projected PCS in-and-outbound who have been selected to attend technical and flying training to include SAASS, ACSC and AWC, AFIT-sponsored degree programs, Fellowships, JPME, Education with Industry (EWI), Sister Service and international schools and advanced academic degree/training (to include health professionals) are authorized to proceed with dependents concurrently, however coordination between losing and gaining commander and/or owning organization is required before departure and organizations must be updated on travel itinerary.
It is highly recommended units and students contact training squadrons and locations to check on any changes or new requirements that may arise during the on-going COVID-19 response.
If required for arrangement of out-processing requirements, waivers are available in Attachment 8.
J. (UPDATED) Evacuations: The Department of State (DoS) has terminated departure authority previously approved under Attachment 9 effective 7 May 2020. DoD eligible family members who did not have travel orders approved prior to 7 May 2020 may no longer travel under the previous authority.
DoS has extended entitlements until 11 June 2020 for those families currently at safe havens which traveled under the previous authority. If the service member has 60 or more days remaining on their tour, eligible family members are authorized return travel. If the service member has 59 or less days remaining on their tour, eligible family members are authorized travel to the next duty location. Refer to Attachment 9 (updated) for detailed guidance.
K. Global Force Management (GFM) Activities (Contingency Deployments): GFM activities are defined as deployments/redeployments ordered in the GFM Allocation Plan and Combatant Command Assigned Force Demand tasking, including 365-Day Extended Deployments (ED) and Service internal rotations to support and TDY used to source ordered capabilities.
Such travel to execute Operations, Activities, and Investments or Service-related training will be coordinated between the Combatant Command, the Joint Staff, and the appropriate Military Department.
The VCSAF has provided policy and guidance regarding Restriction of Movement procedures for service members traveling for pre-deployment training during COVID-19 restrictions (Attachment 10). This policy and guidance will reduce the requirement for the number of Airmen going TDY for pre-deployment training, and will eliminate the requirement to have to go to multiple training locations. Unit Deployment Managers (UDM) will verify that pre-deployment training requirements only require Airmen to travel to one pre-deployment training venue prior to deployment. If more than one TDY is showing required, the UDM will inform the unit commander, who will then seek clarification/additional waivers through their chain of command. It is important that deploying members remain in contact with their Installation Personnel Readiness (IPR), UDM and Chain of Command as there have been instances in which pre-deployment training and/or deployments have been delayed.
365-Day Extended Deployment (ED): If eligible and all PCS requirements have been met, dependent travel to the CONUS Advanced Assignment (AA) location is authorized. AA travel to OCONUS locations requires the use of already existing AA exception to policy procedures. Eligible families are authorized to proceed to AA before, after, or upon the Airman's departure from losing station. Movement will be IAW paragraph 5 below.
4. Waivers:
Waivers to this directive may be granted in writing in cases where the travel is: (1) determined to be mission-essential; (2) necessary for humanitarian reasons; or (3) warranted due to extreme hardship. Mission-essential travel refers to work that must be performed to ensure the continued operations of mission-essential functions, including positions that are deemed key and essential, as determined by the responsible DoD Component.
These waivers shall be coordinated between the gaining and losing organizations, are to be executed on a case-by-case basis, and must be determined to be in the best interest of the U.S. Government. Waiver template is at Attachment 12.
Approval authority for these and all other waivers belongs to:
A. Combatant Commander if the individual is assigned or allocated to a Combatant Command;
B. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff if the individual is assigned to the Joint Staff;
C. Secretary of the Military Department concerned for personnel under his/her jurisdiction;
This authority has been delegated by the Secretary of the Air Force (Attachment 3) to the first general, flag officer, or member of the Senior Executive Service in the traveler's chain of command or supervision;
D. Chief of the National Guard Bureau (NGB) for all personnel assigned, attached, or allocated to the NGB and, for travel using Federal funds, all travel by title 32 and title 5 personnel assigned throughout the National Guard; and
E. Chief Management Officer for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Defense Agencies, Defense Field Activities, and any other DoD entities not listed above.
Delegations previously authorized under previous guidance remain in effect until those delegations are rescinded or superseded. References in prior delegations to "member of the Senior Executive Service" are deemed to include equivalent personnel.
5. Additional Guidance:
The restrictions above give preeminence to the safety and security of our personnel, their families, and our communities. During this period of travel restriction, several measures must be taken to enhance traveler safety, lessen the burden on DoD personnel and their families, and ensure continued operations. Specifically, each organization, as applicable, will take immediate action to:
A. Clearly communicate the contents of this directive to those individuals affected by these travel restrictions.
B. Establish pre- and post-travel screening and reception procedures for all travelers as provided in Attachment 2 and any applicable subsequent guidance, to include establishing a means of communication with all personnel throughout the pre- and post-travel screening and reception process and providing information regarding prescribed actions for their particular circumstances.
C. Use military- or DoD-contracted end-to-end travel using aircraft or other conveyance for DoD sponsored travelers to the greatest extent practicable, unless between areas designated for unrestricted travel.
D. Inform all travelers of their responsibility to contact their gaining organization in advance of travel and to keep the organization updated on their travel itinerary.
E. MPFs will document exemptions or waivers via the Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Authorized Delay/Awaiting Transportation memo in lieu of an AF FM 973, Request and Authorization for Change of Administrative Orders (PCS order amendment). ARC members shall document TDY exemptions or waivers via copy of AROWS or AROWS-R orders.
F. MPFs will assist eligible Airmen with submitting assignment extension, deferment, or cancellation requests for PCS moves that cause Airman or family hardships. The Airman’s commander must endorse the request. MPFs will submit the member’s request with justification and commander’s endorsement to afpc.dp3am.workflow@us.af.mil.
6. Leave:
A. Leave: Until the prescribed travel restrictions are lifted, Airmen are only authorized local leave in accordance with AFI 36-3003, and local leave policies (see Attachment 11). This also applies to Regular (i.e. weekends) and Special Pass situations.
B. (UPDATED) Leave Enroute: Leave enroute is only authorized for short tour rotations IAW Part I, paragraph 3.C.1. above. Leave enroute is not authorized for any other category of move. Requests for waiver should follow guidance in paragraph 4 above. For Airmen desiring local leave, commanders are encouraged to allow Airmen to utilize local leave prior to out-processing or after arrival at gaining location.
C. (NEW) Terminal Leave and PTDY in conjunction with Retirement: IAW Part I, paragraph 3.F. above, travel is authorized for transition leave. All other leave not associated with transition leave is governed by existing travel restrictions.
7. (UPDATED) DEROS and RNLTD Extensions:
DEROS and RNLTD extensions due to previous COVID-19 Stop Movement and the associated “Re-Flow” plan have been made in accordance with the Assignment DEROS and RNLTD “Re-Flow” due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) Restrictions message.
8. TDY Hold and Airmen Status Reporting:
MPFs supporting RegAF Airmen will identify and report to AFPC all the Airmen placed on TDY hold.
Note: Airmen must be in enroute (away from losing location) to PCS location to be placed on TDY hold. MPFs will also report the status of Airmen impacted by Stop Movement and report TDY hold information to AFPC.DP3AM.Workflow@us.af.mil. Additionally, impacted Airmen will receive a direct message from myPers to provide the necessary information to AFPC/DP3AM. Further reporting information will be forthcoming via separate guidance.
9. PCS Amendments:
MPFs will utilize the Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Authorized Delay/Awaiting Transportation memo (in lieu of an AF FM 973, Request and Authorization for Change of Administrative Orders) for Airmen to resume travel.
1. Until further notice, except as provided herein, stop movement guidance restricts family members from government-funded travel. Concurrent official travel for family members of Total Force Military is authorized for exemptions listed in Part I, paragraph 3 and for waivers that have been approved IAW Part I, paragraph 4.
2. PCS Concurrent Travel Guidance for Military Airmen:
A. Family member travel delayed for ‘Less than 20 Weeks’: For Airmen currently with an exemption to stop movement guidance and traveling without their dependents, utilize the Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Authorized Delay/Awaiting Transportation memo (in lieu of an AF FM 973, Request and Authorization for Change of Administrative Orders) upon lift of stop movement to authorize dependent travel. Airmen currently assigned overseas must seek guidance for PCS options according to the applicable guidance for the country assigned.
B. Hardship Requests: If Airmen have a hardship based on the concurrent travel policy and desire to request a RNLTD/DEROS change or assignment diversion, MPFs will assist the Airmen with submitting the request. The Airman’s commander must endorse the request. MPFs will submit the member’s request with justification and commander’s endorsement to afpc.dp3am.workflow@us.af.mil.
C. Waivers to this Guidance: Requests for waiver must follow guidance in Part I, paragraph 4. The waiver authority may authorize concurrent travel for family members, but it must be addressed in the approved waiver letter (Attachment 12).
Modification and Reissuance of DoD Response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 - Travel Restrictions (20 April 20)
COVID-19 Travel Restrictions FAQs (20 April 20)