A major change in Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) for household goods (HHG) transportation was announced on June 24. Previously, members had a year following retirement to coordinate their HHG transportation. Now, members have three years to schedule their HHG after retirement.
“This is a big JTR change for all people retiring,” said Webb H. Moore, chief of Military Compensation for the U.S. Coast Guard (CG-1332). “It is pivotal because previously you had to request a HHR allowance each year.” With the change, retirees are automatically allowed up to three years after their retirement date to move their HHG.
Chief Petty Officer Brittney C. Gatewood, a yeoman assigned to the Office of Military Personnel, Travel, and Transportation, added, “A person could have served for 20 or 30 years, and it can be difficult to transition into civilian life because you have a loss of comradery and a loss of routine. This new HHG change provides more time for members to ease into retirement and find their forever home.”
This JTR amendment is among a robust list of programs designed to help service members ease into their post-military life. Other recent efforts include the SkillBridge Program — which facilitates job placement within the civilian sector — as well as the launch of Long Blue Line Magazine, a publication dedicated to preserving the Coast Guard’s rich history and stories of members.
The one-to-three year time change of HHG transportation is scheduled to go into effect on July 1, and it is reflected in the JTR manual. This reform does not apply to non-temporary storage (NTS), which will remain as currently written in the JTR. Further extensions of HHR transportation can be granted on an annual basis should members need more time to ease into their forever home.
“Something that is important to keep in mind,” concluded Moore. “Members need to ensure that their order notes include their three years as well as the JTR reference 052013.” Once these order notes are in place, retirees can breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy more time to transition in their life’s next chapter.
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