Defense Travel System

December 30, 2020

DTS Guide 1: Getting Started

Defense Travel Management Office
DTS Guide 1: Overview

 12/30/20 2 

This document is maintained on the DTMO website at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil. Printed copies may be obsolete.

Table of Contents

1 Introduction...................................................................................... 4

2 The DTS Home Page......................................................................... 5

3 Logging into DTS............................................................................... 7

3.1 Self-Registering and Activating a DTS Profile...................................... 8

4 The DTS Dashboard........................................................................ 12

4.1 Overview................................................................................................ 12

4.2 Login Information.................................................................................. 13

4.3 Administrative Functions Tool Bar...................................................... 17

4.4 Quick Links.............................................................................................. 19

4.5 My Travel Documents........................................................................... 20

4.6 What’s New Feature............................................................................. 21

5 Using Multiple Profiles................................................................... 23

6 Document Lock................................................................................25

7 Logoff Instructions..........................................................................26

8 Additional Resources......................................................................27

8.1 Component Representatives............................................................... 27

8.2 Helpful References................................................................................ 27
DTS Guide 1: Overview

 12/30/20 3 

This document is maintained on the DTMO website at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil. Printed copies may be obsolete.

Revision History

Revision 

No. Date Authorization Revision/Change Description Page, Section

1.0 08/11/17

Defense Travel 

Management 

Office (DTMO)

New Guide All

1.1 08/21/17 DTMO Updated link Section 10

2.0 01/19/18 DTMO

Jan 2018 limited DTS release (look-ahead):

1. Updated DTS home page

2. Updated self-reg info

3. Updated DTS log in process

Section 2

Section 3.1

Section 4

2.1 01/24/18 DTMO Jan 2018 limited DTS release (look-ahead):

Screenshot updates Sections 2-6

2.2 02/16/18 DMTO Feb 2018 full DTS release:

Removed look-ahead notice Cover

2.3 02/23/18 DTMO Updated login procedures Sections 2-4

3.0 08/17/18 DTMO 1. Updated URLs

2. Updated for new DTS Dashboard

Throughout

Sections 4-7

3.1 01/04/19 DTMO Updated text. Updated URL. Section 2

3.2 04/05/19 DTMO

General text updates

1. Updated Create document list 

screenshots

Throughout

Page 18

3.3 06/17/19 DTMO

Updated self-registration user activation 

screen 

Added Self-registration button screen

Added Welcome Self Registration Tool 

screen

Added Logout screens

Pages 8 – 12

Page 22

3.4 05/12/20 DTMO

Updated Homepage screen shot

Updated Document List screen shot

Added What’s New Feature

Page 6

Page 13

Page 21 -22

3.5 10/15/20 DTMO Updated Formatting

Updated Quick Links screen shots

Title Page

Page 19

3.6 12/04/20 DTMO Updated DTS Dashboard screen shots Throughout

3.7 12/30/20 DTMO Updated screen shots

Pages 14 -16

Page 19

Page 24
DTS Guide 1: Overview

 12/30/20 4 

This document is maintained on the DTMO website at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil. Printed copies may be obsolete.

1 Introduction

The Defense Travel System (DTS) is a fully integrated, electronic, end-to-end travel 

management system automating temporary duty (TDY) travel for the Department of 

Defense (DoD). It allows travelers to create authorizations, book reservations, receive 

approval, generate vouchers for reimbursement, and direct payments to their bank 

accounts and the Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC) vendor, via a single web 

portal. DTS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The information paper titled, Defense Travel System Overview*, provides more 

information on: 

• DTS features and benefits

• The trip planning process

• DTS roles

• Training resources, and 

• Help support

* This paper is available at:

https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/DTS_Background_Information_Paper.pdf

This guide provides “getting started” instructions for using DTS. This guide includes:

• The DTS Home Page

• Login Instructions

• Creating and Activating a DTS Profile

• The DTS Dashboard

• Navigating in DTS Documents

• Using Multiple Profiles

• Logoff Instructions

• Helpful References
DTS Guide 1: Overview

 12/30/20 5 

This document is maintained on the DTMO website at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil. Printed copies may be obsolete.

2 The DTS Home Page

The DTS Home page (Figure 1-1) is located at 

https://dtsproweb.defensetravel.osd.mil/dts-app/pubsite/all/view/. From top to 

bottom, it contains:

1. DTS and ETWS status icons (Indicator 1) let you know when the systems are 

working. When a yellow or red icon appears, select it to see specific system

statuses.

2. Travel alerts (Indicator 2), when posted, appear below the status icons to provide 

immediate information about current critical travel situations.

3. A Log In button (Indicator 3) allows you to launch DTS – the process may include 

creating and activating your own DTS account, if necessary.

4. A step-by-step travel process summary (Indicator 4) is especially useful if you’re 

new to DoD official travel.

5. DoD Travel News and DTS Notices (Indicator 5) open travel information that –

while important – is less urgent than the travel alerts, as well as important 

information about DTS. 

6. Buttons (Indicator 6) give you fast access to A) DTS Training, B) chat with a TAC 

(DoD travel Help Desk) analyst, C) TSA’s Pre program, and D) the Joint Travel 

Regulations.

7. Links (Indicator 7) lead to additional assistance and travel-related services.
DTS Guide 1: Overview

 12/30/20 6 

This document is maintained on the DTMO website at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil. Printed copies may be obsolete.

Figure 1-1: DTS Home Page

2

3

4

5

6

1

7
DTS Guide 1: Overview

 12/30/20 7 

This document is maintained on the DTMO website at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil. Printed copies may be obsolete.

3 Logging into DTS

You must have an active DTS profile to log into DTS. Although you can create your own 

profile as part of the login process, your organization may prefer to have a Defense 

Travel Administrator (DTA) create a profile for you. Contact a DTA at your site for 

guidance on this process. DTA contact information is available online at: 

https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/localSupport.cfm.

The DTS login process is as follows:

1. With your CAC into the CAC reader, select Log In in the large blue box near the top 

of the DTS Home Page (Figure 1-1).

2. Read and Accept the DoD Privacy and Ethics Policy statement.

3. Enter your PIN, then select OK. DTS compares the CAC certificate listing of the last 

name and SSN against the DTS database to try to find a match. The following

results are possible:

• DTS finds an active account registered under your last name and SSN. 

o The first time you log in, DTS assigns your account a User ID, which allows 

the system to log you on without checking the last name and SSN again. 

This status lasts until you reset your profile (see Section 5), which 

deactivates your account. Note: For an example of why you might reset 

your profile, see Section 7.

o The DTS Dashboard opens; go to section 4.

• DTS cannot find an account registered under your name and SSN (see example

below) or finds your account, but it is inactive (e.g., if you reset your profile as 

mentioned above).

o The Activate Account screen opens; go to Section 3.1.

• An error prevents DTS from creating an account for you. 

o DTS displays an error message. 

Example: You have a hyphenated last name Smith-Jones and that is how you 

(or the DTA) entered it in DTS when creating your account. Unfortunately, 

your CAC certificate reflects your last name differently, say with a space 

between the names or without the hyphen (i.e., Smith Jones or SmithJones). 

To a computer, Smith-Jones is not the same as Smith Jones or SmithJones, so 

DTS generates an error.
DTS Guide 1: Overview

 12/30/20 8 

This document is maintained on the DTMO website at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil. Printed copies may be obsolete.

 Try to resolve the problem using the actions listed below.

• Make sure you seat your CAC securely in the CAC reader and remains in place 

the entire time you are using DTS.

• If you receive an error message, regardless of the type of error message, select 

OK or Retry Login and begin again.

• If the problem persists, contact your DTA, local help desk, or travel office for 

assistance. Make sure you note the content of the error message DTS displayed, 

to help them troubleshoot the problem.

Note: If you ever enter your CAC PIN incorrectly three times, DTS locks you out. If 

this happens, you must contact your Local Registration Authority (LRA) or CAC 

Office to unlock your CAC.

3.1 Self-Registering and Activating a DTS Profile

When you try to log onto DTS, but DTS cannot find an account registered under 

your SSN or finds an inactive account, DTS displays the Activate Account screen 

(Figure 1-2).

Figure 1-2: Activate Account Screen

On the Activate Account screen:

1. Enter your Social Security Number (SSN) in both text fields.
DTS Guide 1: Overview

 12/30/20 9 

This document is maintained on the DTMO website at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil. Printed copies may be obsolete.

2. (optional) If you are in the Reserves or National Guard and want to use

your Reserve Component profile, check the Member of the

Reserves/National Guard box.

3. Select Activate Account.

• If you have an inactive DTS account, DTS activates it, opens the DTS 

Dashboard, and displays the tool bar for options. If your account is now 

activate, skip to Section 4, DTS Dashboard further below.

• If you don’t have a DTS account, the DTS provides a Self Registration 

option (Figure 1-3, Indicator 1). See Step 4, directly below to the 

complete self-registration process.

Figure 1-3: Self Registration Option

4. Select Self Registration (Figure 1-3, Indicator 1). The Welcome to the Self 

Registration Tool screen opens (Figure 1-4). There are four selectable tabs

across the top of the page: Home, Basic Information, Additional 

Information, and Submit Self-Registration to support a profile request.

• Home presents an overview of the tool and staging profile removal 

option (Figure 1-4, Indicator 1).

• Basic Information provides the required data fields, which are

necessary to support document processing, reservations, and ticketing

(Figure 1-4, Indicator 2).

• Additional Information permits residence data entry, travel 

preferences, frequent flyer, and rewards information. (Figure 1-4, 

Indicator 3).

• Submit Self Registration allows submission of the profile for DTA 

There are no document processing tools available. 

There are no documents listed.

1
DTS Guide 1: Overview

 12/30/20 10 

This document is maintained on the DTMO website at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil. Printed copies may be obsolete.

review and acceptance or rejection (Figure 1-4, Indicator 4).

Figure 1-4: Welcome Self Registration Tool Screen

5. Select Basic Information on the Navigation Bar (Figure 1-4, Indicator 2). The 

Basic Information screen opens (Figure 1-5). Enter your personal data. Fields 

with an asterisk or red triangle indicate mandatory information.

1

1 2 3 4
DTS Guide 1: Overview

 12/30/20 11 

This document is maintained on the DTMO website at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil. Printed copies may be obsolete.

Figure 1-5: Basic Information Screen

• The First Name, Last Name, and SSN (pulled from the CAC) automatically 

appear on the profile screen (view only). Other key data includes the email 

address, mailing address, duty station address,*DTS Organization, EFT 

(checking or savings), and Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC). Note: If 

you are unsure about any of the required information, contact your DTA 

before submitting the Self-Registration profile.

• Be sure to complete all required fields and then select SAVE AND 

PROCEED.

6. On the Additional Information tab, you must enter mandatory information 

and you may choose to enter optional data. 

7. Select Submit Self-Registration and the screen opens (Figure 1-6). Select 

SUBMIT. DTS emails the DTA, who will review and either accept or reject your 

self-registration request.

 Figure 1-6: Submit Self-Registration Screen
DTS Guide 1: Overview

 12/30/20 12 

This document is maintained on the DTMO website at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil. Printed copies may be obsolete.

 DTS emails the result to you.

• If accepted, log on again using steps 1-3 above.

• If rejected, correct the information and re-submit it following the 

instructions above.

Note 1: The most common reason for profile rejection is entering the wrong DTS 

Organization. If you enter the wrong organization, your self-registration request 

routes to the incorrect DTA, who does not know you, so the DTA will not accept

the request. The DTA will reject the submission, providing comments explaining

you selected the wrong organization, and advise you to contact your DTA or 

supervisor for assistance. Once you make the corrections, re-submit the profile.

Note 2: If you unintentionally create a self-registration profile, you can remove 

the entry. Select the here link on the Welcome to the Self Registration Tool

screen to remove the partial profile (Figure 1-4, Indicator 1). An information 

window opens (Figure 1-7). Select DELETE. This removes the staging profile. Close 

all browser windows, then log back into DTS to active your profile. 

Figure 1-7: Delete Partial Profile Screen

4 The DTS Dashboard

4.1 Overview

From the DTS main page, the DTS Dashboard (Figure 1-8) displays. It contains 

five primary sections:

1. Login Information (Indicator 1): See Section 4.2. 

2. Administrative Functions (Indicator 2): See Section 4.3.

3. Quick Links (Indicator 3): See Section 4.4.

4. My Travel Documents (Indicator 4): See Section 4.5.

5. Additional Information: These items are exactly as described in Section 1. 
DTS Guide 1: Overview

 12/30/20 13 

This document is maintained on the DTMO website at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil. Printed copies may be obsolete.

See Figure 1-1, Indicators 5-7 for specific details.

Figure 1-8: DTS Dashboard

4.2 Login Information

In the top right corner of every screen, DTS displays information about your 

current session (Figure 1-9a). It shows:

1. The current DTS System Status. A drop-down provides you the individual 

4

3

2

1

5
DTS Guide 1: Overview

 12/30/20 14 

This document is maintained on the DTMO website at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil. Printed copies may be obsolete.

system components status.

2. A bell icon lets you see organization alerts. The number tells you how many 

alerts are currently available.

3. Your name. A drop-down lets you see your last sign on date/time, assigned 

organization, organization and group accesses (if any), and your permission 

levels (Figure 1-9a). From this menu, you can also update your DTS profile,

reset your profile (Figure 1-9b - if dual profiles), and log out of DTS. For an 

example of when to use Reset Profile, see Section 5. For the Log Out process, 

see Section 7.

Figure 1-9a: DTS Dashboard – Login Information Expanded Screen
DTS Guide 1: Overview

 12/30/20 15 

This document is maintained on the DTMO website at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil. Printed copies may be obsolete.

 Figure 1-9b: DTS Dashboard – Login with Reset Profile Screen

My Profile (Figure 1-10) lets you update your DTS personal profile. It is 

comprised of multiple screens allowing you to change most aspects of your 

DTS personal profile. At any given moment, one screen is open, while access to 

the other screens is through links in the left column. Use these screens to 

update your:

• User Profile. Includes your name, addresses, contact information, 

emergency contact information, assignment information, and your form 

printing preferences (see Table 1-1).

• Accounting Information: Includes key information about your GTCC and 

personal bank accounts.

• Travel Preferences: Includes your TSA information and preferred travel 

choices (e.g., favorite airlines and hotels) and rewards program data.

• Additional Information: Details about your work: your Service or Agency, 

unit, work address, and phone number. Some details (e.g., rank) you can’t

change.

Contact your DTA for help updating any information you cannot modify

through these screens.
DTS Guide 1: Overview

 12/30/20 16 

This document is maintained on the DTMO website at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil. Printed copies may be obsolete.

Figure 1-10: My Profile Option – Personal Information Screen Open

The above option is available at any time. You can also change your profile 

when:

• You log onto DTS and a profile validation appears, as it does:

o The first time you log onto DTS.

o If you have not validated your profile in the past 60 days.

o If your GTCC has expired or is within 30 days of expiration.

• You are working on a DTS travel document.

Important: Changes to your personal profile do not affect existing travel 

documents. To apply profile changes to existing travel documents, you must 

re-sign each document after you make the change.
DTS Guide 1: Overview

 12/30/20 17 

This document is maintained on the DTMO website at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil. Printed copies may be obsolete.

Table 1-1

FORM PRINTING PREFERENCE OPTIONS

Section Options & Descriptions

AUTHORIZATIONS/ORDERS

Print Full SSN* • No masks the first 5 digits of your SSN (XXX-XX-6789).

• Yes displays your full SSN (123-45-6789).

Authorizations

• Default: Provides more details than the other options. Prints all available travel data 

without making it look like a DD Form 1610.

• Govt + Form: Prints a DD Form 1610 showing trip information from DTS onto blank printer 

paper. Use when you don’t have a blank DD Form 1610.

• Govt: Prints trip information from DTS onto a blank DD Form 1610 (which you’ve loaded 

into the printer).

Cash Advance • Default, Govt + Form, and Govt as described above.

• None: Do not print a cash advance summary.

Group Auth:

• Summary: Prints the group authorization and a cash advance summary showing the 

total amount of advanced all travelers received.

• Summary & Individual: As above, but it also includes the individual authorizations 

and cash advance totals for each traveler.

Itinerary Listing Check the box to print your reservations & itinerary.

VOUCHERS

Print Full SSN* As described above.

Voucher Options as in “Authorizations” above, except for DD Form 1610, substitute DD Form 1351-2.

Receipt Checklist Check the box to print a list of receipts that must be attached to the voucher.

ATTACHMENTS

Document History Check the box to print every step in the document’s electronic routing history.

Accounting Detail Check the box to print the document’s expenses listed by accounting code and category.

Privacy Act Check the box to print the Privacy Act Statement.

PRINT DOCUMENT NAME

Block 2 of SF1164 Do not check this box. (Note: OF1164 replaced SF1164 in Dec 2016.)

Block 22 of 

DD1610

Check the box to print the document name in block 22 of DD Form 1610. Do not check to 

display the TA Number.

*When a DTA with PL-5 prints a DTS document for a traveler, DTS applies the DTA’s Print Full SSN preference 

settings. If you do not have PL-5, you cannot print the traveler's full SSN. It is always masked.

4.3 Administrative Functions Tool Bar

These items (Figure 1-11) appear near the top of the DTS screen. Note: The 

Administration drop down menu does not appear for a traveler only role. This 

option is available for Routing Officials and DTAs.

Figure 1-11: Administrative Functions

1. Home: Return to the DTS Dashboard.

2. The Trips drop-down menu includes:
DTS Guide 1: Overview

 12/30/20 18 

This document is maintained on the DTMO website at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil. Printed copies may be obsolete.

• Trips Awaiting Action: Used to access documents in the routing process. 

Generally used by Routing Officials (e.g., Authorizing Officials, Reviewers).

• Traveler Lookup: Used to find travel documents belonging to other 

people. Generally used by Non-DTS Entry Agents and travel clerks.

• Cross Org Document Lookup: Used to find travel documents using crossorganization funding. Generally used by those assigned to monitor use the 

cross-organization lines of accounting and payments.

3. The Travel Tools drop-down menu includes:

• Distance Calculator: Connects to the Defense Table of Official Distances to 

look up official en route mileage.

• Government Meal Rate Table: Connects to the DTMO website to look up 

the current Government meal rate.

• Mileage Rates Table: Connects to the DMTO website to look up the 

current mileage rates.

• Per Diem Rate Lookup: Connects to the DMO website to look up the 

latest per diem rates.

• Per Diem Rate Notes: Connects to the DTMO website to see how per 

diem rates are calculated.

• Routing Chain Lookup: Use this to look up your organization’s available 

routing lists and see the personnel assigned to each.

4. Message Center provides access to DTS Travel News and DTS Notices.

5. The Administration drop-down menu (Figure 1-12) provides access to the 

administrative tools that are available to you. Depending on the access you 

have, this drop-down menu may not be available to you. Although others are 

possible, the most commonly available options are:

• Administration contains links to the:

o Budget Tool

o DTA Maintenance Tool

o Self-Registration Administration 

o Delegate Authority 

o Document Unlock Tool
DTS Guide 1: Overview

 12/30/20 19 

This document is maintained on the DTMO website at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil. Printed copies may be obsolete.

• Reports gives you access to the Report Scheduler and the BI and 

Reporting Tool.

• Read-Only Access (ROA) (not shown) gives you access to ROA Invoices 

and ROA Trip.

• Centrally Billed Accounts (CBA) (not shown) allows access to the CBA

Tool.

• Debt Management gives you access to the Debt Management Tool.

Figure 1-12: Administration Menu (Example)

4.4 Quick Links

These five shortcut tiles (Figure 1-13) lead to the same place as various other 

tools available elsewhere on the DTS Dashboard – they simply provide faster 

access to them. Your DTS permission levels and accesses currently determine

which shortcuts appear on your screen, but a future expansion may allow you to 

select which ones display. These Quick Links are only visible on the DTS 

Dashboard.

Figure 1-13a: Quick Links (Traveler Example)
DTS Guide 1: Overview

 12/30/20 20 

This document is maintained on the DTMO website at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil. Printed copies may be obsolete.

Figure 1-13b: Quick Links (DTA Example)

4.5 My Travel Documents

This section contains three primary areas: document types (with totals), document list

(with details), and document creation. Note: For full details on document processing 

steps for authorizations, vouchers, local vouchers, and group authorizations, refer to 

the DTS Guides.

1. Document Types: A Selector Bar (Figure 1-14) lets you select the type of travel 

document you want to display. Options include authorizations, vouchers, local 

vouchers, and group authorizations. It also tells you how many of each type 

are currently in DTS.

Figure 1-14: View Document Type Selector

2. Document List: The selected documents display in a column (Figure 1-15). 

Each entry displays the document’s name, departure date, TANUM (if 

available), current status, action buttons (e.g., View, Edit, Amend), and an 

Options icon that allows you to Print or Remove* a document (Figure 1-15, 

red highlight).

*Note: Remove is only available for documents in a CREATED status.
DTS Guide 1: Overview

 12/30/20 21 

This document is maintained on the DTMO website at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil. Printed copies may be obsolete.

Figure 1-15: Document List

3. Document Creation: A Create New Document function (Figure 1-16) allows 

you to build a new Routine TDY Trip, Voucher, Local Voucher, or Group 

Authorization.

Figure 1-16: Create New Document Options

4.6 What’s New Feature

DTS provides a What’s New feature alerting you when software changes occur.

After a system update, the first time you access an affected module, the What’s 

New feature activates. You readily receive a series of pop-up screens annotating 

any revisions. Once you proceed through the overview, you must select Got It to 

close the messaging. Your personal profile tracks your acknowledgement and 

then the What’s New feature inactivates. As this a one-time alert, unless there is 

another system change, you will not see the What’s New alert again.
DTS Guide 1: Overview

 12/30/20 22 

This document is maintained on the DTMO website at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil. Printed copies may be obsolete.

Note: If you have multiple personal profiles, each one will receive the What’s 

New communication, requiring your acknowledgement. Section 5, Using Multiple 

Profiles explains how to reset and log into DTS, when you more than one profile.

Here is an example of what you might see on the What’s New featured screens 

(e.g., expense and document attachment) (Figure 1-17a-d).

 Figures 1-17a-b: What’s New Screens – Expenses / Attaching Files Featured

 Figures 1-17c-d: What’s New Screens – Expenses / Attaching Files Featured
DTS Guide 1: Overview

 12/30/20 23 

This document is maintained on the DTMO website at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil. Printed copies may be obsolete.

5 Using Multiple Profiles

If you are a DoD civilian employee and you are also a member of the Reserves or 

National Guard, or if you serve administrative roles for DTS organizations in different 

hierarchies, you may need multiple DTS profiles. For those who have multiple 

profiles, the DTS Dashboard screen will display a Reset Profile button in the Login 

Information menu. As listed in Figure 1-9b, you can reset your profile.

 Figure 1-9b: DTS Dashboard – Login with Reset Profile Option

If you are using Profile #1 and want to continue using Profile #1, log out of DTS 

without hitting Reset Profile. When you log back into DTS, the DTS Dashboard for 

Profile #1 automatically displays.

If you need to access a different profile:

1. When you are ready to log out of DTS, select Reset Profile to deactivate your 

current profile (Profile #1 in this example) and log you out of DTS.

2. When you log back into DTS, the system will see that you have no active profile 

and launch the Activate Account screen (Figure 1-2). 
DTS Guide 1: Overview

 12/30/20 24 

This document is maintained on the DTMO website at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil. Printed copies may be obsolete.

Figure 1-2: Active Account Screen

3. To activate an alternate profile or Profile #2, enter the SSN associated with that 

profile twice, then place a check in the Reserve/National Guard box, if you need 

to access a profile under Reserve/National Guard organization or don’t check 

mark the box. When you select Activate Account, DTS activates the profile 

associated with Profile #2 SSN and opens the DTS Dashboard for that profile.
DTS Guide 1: Overview

 12/30/20 25 

This document is maintained on the DTMO website at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil. Printed copies may be obsolete.

6 Document Lock

When you perform any action altering a document, DTS locks the document to 

prevent others from creating modifications to it simultaneously. The document lock 

applies to all document types (i.e., authorizations and vouchers).

Important: Select Home at the top of the DTS screen to exit a trip and return to the 

DTS Dashboard. Using the browser’s “X” button causes DTS to lock the document for 

30 minutes or until a DTA manually unlocks it.

DTS locks travel documents when they are open in an editable mode, including:

• Manual processing, such as:

o Initial creation

o Adjustments and amendments

o Reviews and approvals

• Electronic processing, such as document:

o Reservation processing by the Travel Management Company (TMC)

o Document being removed

o Document being cancelled

o Reservations in document being auto-cancelled

Note: Viewing, printing, opening via Read Only Access (ROA), performing certain

Import/Export (I/E) options, or when interacting with the DTS Payment module will 

not lock the document.

A document can unlock when the following occurs:

• The person who locked the document:

o Leaves the document inactive for 30 minutes

o Closes the document properly

o Allows their DTS session to time out

o Logs off DTS

• A DTA uses the Document Lock Tool to unlock the document

DTS provides information regarding documents in a locked status:

1. If you try to open a locked trip, DTS informs you that you can’t and displays who 

locked the trip.

2. When a DTA unlocks your document, DTS alerts you of the action.

3. When a DTA unlocks a document, the person who had it locked gets an email on 

who unlocked it, and warns that unsaved changes have been lost.
DTS Guide 1: Overview

 12/30/20 26 

This document is maintained on the DTMO website at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil. Printed copies may be obsolete.

7 Logoff Instructions

Remember to logoff DTS when you complete all travel related actions. 

1. The best way to close an open DTS document is to select Home at the top of the 

screen to return to the DTS Dashboard.

2. To exit DTS, select your name at the top of the DTS Dashboard and then select Log

Out on the drop-down menu.

3. DTS provides a Confirm Log Out screen (Figure 1-18). Select Log Out.

Figure 1-18: Confirm Log Out Screen

4. A confirmation displays (Figure 1-19). Select Close Window to exit the browser.

Figure 1-19: Log Out Successful Screen
DTS Guide 1: Overview

 12/30/20 27 

This document is maintained on the DTMO website at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil. Printed copies may be obsolete.

8 Additional Resources

8.1 Component Representatives

Your Component Representatives can provide more information on DTS. You can 

find contact information for your Component Representatives at 

https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/dtsContacts.cfm.

This information is also available by selecting the Contacts link on the left side of 

the DTS Home page.

8.2 Helpful References

In addition to providing a wide variety of on-demand and scheduled training, 

DTMO publishes many useful resources such as Manuals, Guides, and Trifolds 

that clarify many aspects of official travel. The charts below provide a sampling of 

resources. For a complete listing of available resources, check the Training 

Resource Lookup Tool at: https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/training.cfm.

GUIDES

Title URL

DTS Guide 1: 

Getting Started https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/DTS_Guide_1_Overview.pdf

DTS Guide 2: 

Authorizations https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/DTS_Guide_2_Authorization.pdf

DTS Guide 3: 

Vouchers https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/DTS_Guide_3_Voucher.pdf

DTS Guide 4: 

Local Vouchers https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/DTS_Guide_4_Local_Voucher.pdf

DTS Guide 5: 

Group Authorizations https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/DTS_Guide_5_Group_Authorization.pdf

Desktop Guide for Authorizing 

Officials https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/Training/AO_CO_Guide.pdf

OTHER RESOURCES

Title URL

DTS Overview

Information Paper https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/DTS_Background_Information_Paper.pdf

Import/Export

Trifold

Information Paper

Trifold:

https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/Training/TriIEAuth.pdf

Information Paper:

https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/Import_Export_Information_Paper.pdf

Dependent Travel

Information Paper https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/Dependent_Travel_Information_Paper.pdf
DTS Guide 1: Overview

 12/30/20 28 

This document is maintained on the DTMO website at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil. Printed copies may be obsolete.

OTHER RESOURCES

Title URL

Renewal Agreement Travel

Information Paper

https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/Renewal_Agreement_Travel_Information_Paper

.pdf

*Adjustments & Amendment

Trifolds

Information Paper

Update Authorization Trifold:

https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/Training/UpdatingItineraryAuth.pdf

Update Voucher Trifold:

https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/Training/UpdatingItineraryVou.pdf

Information Paper:

https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/Adjustments_and_Amendments_Information_P

aper.pdf

Self-Approving Official

Information Paper https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/Self-Approving_Official_Information_Paper.pdf

Foreign Military Sales

Information Paper https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/Foreign_Military_Sales_Information_Paper.pdf

*Constructed Travel 

Worksheet (CTW)

Authorization Instructions

Voucher Instructions

Information Paper

Instructions for Authorization CTW:

https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/CnstTvl/CT_Authorization_Instructions.pdf

Instructions for Voucher CTW:

https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/CnstTvl/CT_Voucher_Instructions.pdf

Information paper:

https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/Constructed_Travel_Information_Paper.pdf

*Cancellation Procedures

Trifold

Information Paper

Trifold:

https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/Training/Cancel_A_Trip_Tri-fold.pdf

Information paper:

https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/Cancellation_Procedures_Information_Paper.pdf

* Web-based training module is also available in Travel Explorer (TraX) at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/passport