ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) --
Today, the Department of Defense released the memorandum guidance on mission-critical categories of exempted travel consistent with Executive Order 14222, “Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Cost Efficiency Initiative” and effective immediately, the Department of the Air Force will limit travel to only essential purposes. Essential travel shall include travel for:
(1) Professional military education
(2) Military training or exercises
(3) Training or education that directly supports or is a prerequisite for a military member or employee’s assigned duties
(4) Performance of an official duty or organizational mission requirement (e.g. negotiations, inspections, audits, etc.)
(5) Military members, civilian employees and dependents on Permanent Chage of Station orders
(6) Travel by members of the Air Reserve Component to perform duty or for training
(7) Other travel as deemed essential by the first General Officer in the chain of command, or Senior Executive Service supervisor
In addition to civilian travel authorized by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense Personnel and Readiness Memorandum (travel in support of military operations and PCS), the following categories of travel are deemed mission-critical (exempt) for DAF civilian employees:
(1) Travel required for the performance of official duties or organizational mission requirements (e.g. negotiations, recruiting activities, Congressional Delegation support, litigation, investigations, inspections, audits, details, etc.)
(2) Travel required to support a military exercise, military training, Professional Military Education, drill, or similar activity supporting the military readiness of a DAF component
(3) Travel to attend authorized Civilian Development Education
(4) Travel for education or training that is a prerequisite or requirement of an employee’s official duties
(5) Travel authorized in law for emergencies, or otherwise necessary to protect human life or property
(6) Travel by dual-status technicians
All exempted travel under this policy memorandum requires a determination that the activity cannot be effectively accomplished virtually and includes only the minimum number of civilian, in-person attendees. Determinations or questions concerning the application of these exemptions shall be resolved by the first general officer in the chain of command, Senior Executive Service supervisor or Air Force Reserve Command Numbered Air Force commander.