97 AMW implements local DTS help desk

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cody Dowell
  • Altus Air Force Base Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Travel in the military happens sporadically throughout an individual’s career. Ranging from days to months anywhere across the globe, travel is almost inevitable. When Airmen are traveling, they must keep track of their travel costs while performing their duties. That is accomplished through the Defense Travel System. Anyone who has used DTS knows the struggle using the system because of general updates and information required for filing a voucher.

As a result to save Airmen time, the 97th Comptroller Squadron has set up a new local DTS Help Desk program, which started Oct. 30, 2018, at Altus AFB. The program allows walk-ins and will be available every Tuesday and Thursday, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., in the 97th CPTS conference room in building 52.
This program is not designed to take over duties that are already being performed by squadron DTS representatives, but rather to assist individuals with complex travel.
“These sessions are mainly design for those who have longer travel dates, like returning from longer TDYs or a deployment,” said U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Joseph Gehringer, financial analysis flight commander. “Since people are away for longer periods of time, they will have more to input in DTS when they come back.”
The longer someone is traveling, the more paperwork can build up. That’s why longer trips can become more difficult to file through DTS.
“The longer the trip, the more it costs and it’s difficult to work through all the documents one has acquired,” said Gehringer. “So if you seek out our help, make sure you have any and all supporting documents like receipts and tickets.”
Supporting documents are all that is required since the session provide laptops, printers, document scanning ability and subject matter experts available to assist members with the whole process.
“In the end, these sessions are designed to help Airmen with accomplishing the mission”, said Gehringer. “If someone can’t focus on their job because they can’t file their voucher, nobody wins.”
If you are returning from a TDY, deployment or having complex travel issues with DTS that your unit representative cannot assist with, visit the 97th CPTS for assistance.