You need to talk to your unit about reimbursement and liability. You will be on orders for your travel home so they can restrict the means by which you can travel. They *can* allow you to travel by car but for non-prior service enlistees returning from tech school they most often prefer that you fly commercial on orders. It's up to your unit.
Either way, DO NOT just do it on your own. Be sure you talk to your unit. If they specifically prohibit travel by personal vehicle from tech school you could get yourself in a bunch of trouble for no good reason.
You should talk to your unit about this for a couple of reasons. First is they will only reimburse you for the cost of your gas and mileage up to the cost of an airline ticket. Secondly and actually what is more important is that you are technically covered by your unit liability wise until you get back to your home unit and sign in off of active duty. Driving back to your unit carries more risks and a greater liability for them and so they might register some hesitation about you driving back instead of flying back.
Yes, you can drive it home. However, it might complicate things on your voucher.
1. Make sure that someone hasn't already booked a flight for you. If so, make sure it is cancelled.
1a. Verify that variations are authorized on your orders. If your orders are ending with tech school (ie you aren't continuing on orders when you get back), you are only funded for a certain number of travel days, which might not cover the drive home.
2. You may have to do a constructive cost worksheet (or something like that, I can't remember the exact term) to calculate the cost of driving versus flying. You will only be reimbursed up to the cost of plane ticket if driving is more expensive.
3. When you do your voucher when you get back, make sure that someone that understands DTS or whatever system you are using helps you fill it out (preferably someone at Finance).
Answers & Comments
You need to talk to your unit about reimbursement and liability. You will be on orders for your travel home so they can restrict the means by which you can travel. They *can* allow you to travel by car but for non-prior service enlistees returning from tech school they most often prefer that you fly commercial on orders. It's up to your unit.
Either way, DO NOT just do it on your own. Be sure you talk to your unit. If they specifically prohibit travel by personal vehicle from tech school you could get yourself in a bunch of trouble for no good reason.
You should talk to your unit about this for a couple of reasons. First is they will only reimburse you for the cost of your gas and mileage up to the cost of an airline ticket. Secondly and actually what is more important is that you are technically covered by your unit liability wise until you get back to your home unit and sign in off of active duty. Driving back to your unit carries more risks and a greater liability for them and so they might register some hesitation about you driving back instead of flying back.
if he brings it, then after you graduate, you can drive it home.
while in tech school, you have a limit on how far from the base you can go-- even on weekends
Yes, you can drive it home. However, it might complicate things on your voucher.
1. Make sure that someone hasn't already booked a flight for you. If so, make sure it is cancelled.
1a. Verify that variations are authorized on your orders. If your orders are ending with tech school (ie you aren't continuing on orders when you get back), you are only funded for a certain number of travel days, which might not cover the drive home.
2. You may have to do a constructive cost worksheet (or something like that, I can't remember the exact term) to calculate the cost of driving versus flying. You will only be reimbursed up to the cost of plane ticket if driving is more expensive.
3. When you do your voucher when you get back, make sure that someone that understands DTS or whatever system you are using helps you fill it out (preferably someone at Finance).
Since the vehicle is not in your name, it will be a pain to go on and off base. Make sure you are on the insurance and it shouldn't be a problem.
Once you leave the gate, no one cares if you then pick up a car at the nearest hotel.