Military travel policy
UTD FOR MAP 26-26(R), Travel for Family Members of a Service Member in Hospice Care
This item authorizes travel and transportation allowances for up to three family members to visit a Service member in hospice care with a prognosis of nine months or less to live, under the authority of 37 U.S.C. § 452(b)(12). Currently, the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) par. 033201 narrowly authorizes family travel and transportation allowances to seriously ill or injured Service members at a medical facility. This proposal alleviates the emotional and financial burden on families of terminally ill Service members. Effective September 9, 2026.
Traveler brief
What changed
Defense Travel Management Office published or updated “UTD FOR MAP 26-26(R), Travel for Family Members of a Service Member in Hospice Care.”
Why it matters
The update has a direct connection to a traveler-facing military travel decision, rather than merely mentioning military aviation or an installation.
What to do
Read the primary source for dates, eligibility, exceptions and implementation details, then verify the rule or operating condition again before a time-sensitive trip.
Defense Travel Management Office has issued a new traveler-relevant update. This item authorizes travel and transportation allowances for up to three family members to visit a Service member in hospice care with a prognosis of nine months or less to live, under the authority of 37 U.S.C. § 452(b)(12). Currently, the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) par. 033201 narrowly authorizes family travel and transportation allowances to seriously ill or injured Service members at a medical facility. This proposal alleviates the emotional and financial burden on families of terminally ill Service members. Effective September 9, 2026.
For military travelers, the practical issue is a traveler-facing military travel decision. That distinction matters because MilVoyage's Travel Desk is intended for information that can change a travel decision, not every story involving an aircraft, base or military unit.
Travelers should pay particular attention to effective dates, who the rule applies to, location-specific exceptions and whether the issuing agency directs users to a separate operating notice or policy document.
Official travel information can change after publication. A useful plan should therefore treat the source as current evidence, not a permanent guarantee, and should preserve a fallback when timing or access is uncertain.
MilVoyage will continue monitoring Defense Travel Management Office for material changes to this item. The primary source linked with this story remains the controlling reference.