About the Defense Travel Management Office

In February 2006, the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) was established as the single focal point for commercial travel within DoD. Previously, several disparate, stove-piped programs governed travel policy, regulations and directives, with no "single face" for commercial travel within the Department. Leadership recognized the need to streamline and consolidate the various pieces of this multi-billion dollar travel enterprise. In response, the Deputy Secretary of Defense directed the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness to consolidate, reorganize, and centrally manage commercial travel policy.

Through this consolidation, the Department is able to standardize management practices, leverage economies of scale, reduce administrative costs, and work towards a common set of goals. DTMO accomplishes this through central oversight for: commercial travel management, travel policy and implementation, travel card program management, customer support and training, functional oversight of the Defense Travel System (DTS), and allowance and entitlement program management.

DTMO partners across the government and private sector to maintain an in-depth perspective of the travel industry and determine the best practices and standards for DoD travel. DTMO must consider guidance from the Defense Travel Steering Committee (DTSC) and the Defense Travel Improvement Board (DTIB). These two boards set strategic direction and manage change regarding DoD commercial travel requirements, including systems, software, policies and/or procedures.

DTMO has embarked on a major initiative to transform the Defense Travel Enterprise. As our new strategy and way ahead, this effort is designed to improve delivery of travel services, maximize policy understanding and compliance, improve cost-effectiveness across the Defense Travel Enterprise; provide a positive customer experience that drives high satisfaction, and maximize control and visibility into travel spend.

Within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, the DTMO receives direct oversight from the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Personnel Policy, and is administratively serviced by the Defense Human Resources Activity.