Options for One Way Reimbursable Travel to College from ROTC Program(s)

Herman_Snerd

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The ROTC programs state they will reimburse the student to travel to campus this fall. DS is traveling a great distance, and well, has a fair amount of stuff. Just curious if anyone has experience with this from prior years- he does not own a car - we're dropping him off.

Do they cover mileage if we make the 1100 mile each way trip, or provide a one way airline ticket for him? Would they cover what I think will be about 3 checked bags? Whatever the limitations are we'll work within them - just curious how others tackled this. I would imagine we're not the only family trying to figure this out. thanks as always. Hermie
 
Wondering this for NROTC too since we don't know how much stuff they'll ge giving us at NSI?
 
They will reimburse you the government travel rate which for airline travel is determined by the airfare from the address they have on file to the college. This fare price is usually average and not always the cheapest so make sure you find a good deal. Luggage is not reimbursed but you could try to talk to the airline if they offer free baggage for military and state your case. They will also pay around $50-60 a day for meals and incidentals.
 
Luggage is not reimbursed but you could try to talk to the airline if they offer free baggage for military and state your case

I agree it doesn't hurt to ask, but I would give the chances of that occurring is on the lower end. Typically, to get the free luggage you will need a military ID and proof of orders.

We have in the past got our luggage waived, even on vacay, because at check in my husband shows his military ID. We don't ask them to waive the cost, but they do it on their own as a courtesy.
 
OBTW, if the reimbursement is like military PCS's, they will tell you how many travel days you are allowed. A travel day is considered 8 hrs of driving, so for your family it would be 2 nights/3 days to get there.
 
Had a similar situation with my DS a couple years ago. We opted to drive out to his school rather than fly and made a memorable road trip of it. He was reimbursed the price of an airline ticket, rather than a mileage, hotel, etc., since that was considerably less. Worth every penny of the trip. And notice I say HE was reimbursed; that's because I never saw that check o_O
 
OBTW, if the reimbursement is like military PCS's, they will tell you how many travel days you are allowed. A travel day is considered 8 hrs of driving, so for your family it would be 2 nights/3 days to get there.
They will only reimburse airline travel and not POV travel since airline is cheaper
 
Asked DS what happened last year going to/from Indoc (called NSI this year). He took a small, squishable gym bag with his stuff to Great Lakes. The Navy kindly geared him up, including a lovely sea bag to cart it all back home. So as he checked in at O’Hare to return home he spoke to the check-in counter, they checked with the manager, he showed his travel orders on his phone (he didn’t yet have any military IDs if I remember correctly), and at the discretion of the manager, the baggage fees he and the other inductees would have been charged were waived. This seems to fit with the ID and showing travel orders mentioned above. Also, a little bit of initiative to ask (never hurts), and whatever charm the exhausted inductee had in reserve didn’t hurt. I’d bring $25 just in case you get someone feeling a wee bit grouchy.

The squishable gym bag traveled under the seat on the way to Great Lakes, and within the sea bag on the way back home.
 
OBTW, if the reimbursement is like military PCS's, they will tell you how many travel days you are allowed. A travel day is considered 8 hrs of driving, so for your family it would be 2 nights/3 days to get there.
They will only reimburse airline travel and not POV travel since airline is cheaper

My school is within a 3 hour drive and I was told to drive for my O-week, and I was reimbursed for gas by being paid a standard per mile. For someone going to CORTRAMID this summer, the MIDN was told to drive because it was 45 minutes driving distance, and they are being reimbursed for the drive/gas.
 
OBTW, if the reimbursement is like military PCS's, they will tell you how many travel days you are allowed. A travel day is considered 8 hrs of driving, so for your family it would be 2 nights/3 days to get there.
They will only reimburse airline travel and not POV travel since airline is cheaper

My school is within a 3 hour drive and I was told to drive for my O-week, and I was reimbursed for gas by being paid a standard per mile. For someone going to CORTRAMID this summer, the MIDN was told to drive because it was 45 minutes driving distance, and they are being reimbursed for the drive/gas.

I would imagine they reimburse for shorter distances
 
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