Chapter 1 of the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), titled “General Policy,” establishes the foundational rules, responsibilities, and financial controls for official Department of Defense travel. It emphasizes the guiding principle of traveling responsibly, requiring travelers to exercise prudence, minimize costs, and adhere to ethical standards, while holding them financially liable for unjustified or luxury expenses. The chapter defines the roles of key participants, including travelers, Authorizing/Approving Officials (AOs) who ensure travel is mission-essential, and Travel Management Companies (TMCs) that arrange the travel. Furthermore, it outlines the specific parameters of being in a "travel status," mandates the use of the Defense Travel System (DTS) and Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC), and enforces the strict requirement for approved  ...