DD 1610: Request and Authorization for TDY Travel
The SEP 2026 TDY request and authorization, all 20 blocks: itinerary, per diem, transportation modes, cost estimate, and the mandatory remarks statements.
Every block on the DD Form 1610
Laid out block for block like the official REQUEST AND AUTHORIZATION FOR TDY TRAVEL OF DOW PERSONNEL (SEP 2026 edition), with the instruction for each block. Name, rank, and unit prefill from your service profile.
Request for official travel
- 1Date of Request (YYYYMMDD)
- 2Name (Last, First, Middle Initial)
- 3Social Security Number
The full SSN is required (last four is not enough) unless the approving official decides it could endanger you. Don't store it in this draft. Write it on the real form.
- 4Position Title and Grade/Rating
- 5Location of Permanent Duty Station (PDS)
City and state (or country) of your PDS.
- 6Organizational Element (Indicate division, unit, and branch)
- 7Duty Phone Number (Include Area Code)
- 8Type of Authorization
Confirmatory orders are for travel already performed on verbal authority. Amendments and extensions reference the original order number in remarks.
- 9TDY Purpose
One of the standard trip purposes in 41 CFR 301 Appendix C: Site Visit, Information Meeting, Training Attendance, Speech or Presentation, Conference Attendance, Special Mission, and so on. Add detail in remarks if needed.
- 10aTrip Length: Number of TDY Days (Include travel time)
- 10bDeparture Date (YYYYMMDD)
- 11Itinerary (Specify)
Every authorized location: start, departure, arrival, TDY location, return departure, and return, with the daily per diem rate for each. Name the installation, not the nearest city.
- 11a–bVariation Authorized / a. Lodging and M&IE / b. Other Rate of Per Diem (Specify below)
Mark "Variation Authorized" only if you're likely to need to change the itinerary en route. Mark 11a for standard Lodging-Plus per diem. Mark 11b for a reduced or special rate (e.g., field conditions or AEA) and enter it in the itinerary. Leave both blank for FEML or R&R.
- 12Transportation Mode
Mark every mode the AO authorizes for the trip. Put any instructions and estimated costs in remarks.
- 12Privately Owned Conveyance (X one)
"Advantageous" pays full mileage and travel-day per diem. "Constructed cost" caps it at what the Government would have paid for the usual mode (usually a flight).
- Rate per Mile
- As Determined by Appropriate Transportation Officer (Overseas Travel Only)
- 13Official Travel Distance by Privately Owned Conveyance (Indicate miles)
Official distance between authorized points (DTOD) and the allowable travel days. Leave and personal convenience don't count toward extra time or distance.
- 14aCosts: Per Diem
- 14bEn Route Transportation
- 14cMisc. Expenses and Other Costs
Include local transportation at the TDY location, registration fees, and parking.
- 14dEstimated Total Cost
- 15Advance Authorized
Leave blank. The AO enters a finance-office advance here. GTCC ATM advances go in remarks.
- 16Remarks (special requirements, leave, excess baggage, accommodations, registration fees, etc.)
Must include: (1) "If the order conflicts with the JTR, the JTR prevails (CBCA 2143-RELO, January 11, 2011)." (2) Whether you are a GTCC holder or exempt. (3) The authorized ticket purchase method: GTCC individually billed, centrally billed account, or personally purchased.
Form details
- 17aTravel-Approving Official: Name and Title
The official who approves the trip (usually your commander or designated AO).
- 17bSignature
- 17cDate Approved (YYYYMMDD)
- 18Accounting Citation
Fund cite from resource management. Funds must be obligated against the order before travel.
- 19aAuthorizing or Order-Issuing Official: Name and Title
- 19bSignature
- 19cDate Issued (YYYYMMDD)
- 20Travel Authorization Number
Assigned by the issuing office. You'll need it on your DD 1351-2 settlement voucher.
How to fill out the DD Form 1610
The paper TDY order. The traveler (or admin) fills the request, the approving official signs block 17, and the order-issuing official signs block 19 with fund cite and order number. The SEP 2026 edition says "DOW" (Department of War) in the title. Blocks are unchanged in substance. When: Any temporary duty that can't be authorized in DTS: some invitational or group travel, when DTS is down or not fielded, or when your finance office directs a paper order.
Step by step
- Blocks 1–7: date, your name, SSN (write it only on the real form), position and grade, PDS, organization, duty phone.
- Blocks 8–10: type of authorization, the standard TDY purpose, number of days including travel, and departure date.
- Block 11: list every leg: start, departure, arrival, TDY location, return. Name the installation, not a nearby city. Mark per diem 11a (Lodging-Plus) or 11b (other rate) as the AO directs.
- Block 12–13: mark every authorized transportation mode and, for POC, whether it's advantageous to the Government or limited to the constructed cost. Enter POC miles.
- Block 14: estimate per diem, en-route transportation, and misc costs (including local transportation at the TDY site). Leave block 15 (advance) for the AO.
- Block 16: add the mandatory statements (JTR prevails; GTCC holder or exempt; ticket purchase method) and anything else: leave en route, registration fees, rental car justification.
- Route to the approving official (17), then resource management for the fund cite (18), then the order-issuing official (19–20).
What a strong one looks like
- Check the GSA/DTMO per diem rate for each location and put the lodging + M&IE figures in the itinerary. It makes block 14 easy to verify.
- If you need a rental car, say why in remarks (e.g., no government vehicle, training site 22 miles from lodging). Rental cars not on the order are hard to get reimbursed.
- TDY over 180 days at one location needs Secretarial Process approval before travel. Note the approval in remarks.
Common mistakes
- Missing any of the three mandatory remarks statements. Orders get kicked back for this more than anything else.
- Putting a GTCC ATM advance in block 15. It goes in remarks.
- Only the last four of the SSN. The form requires the full SSN unless the approving official exempts it for safety.
- Traveling before the order is signed and funded.