AR 600-20, Army Command Policy - Army Publishing Directorate ...

of all participants, perpetuate the best of the traditions that the Army embraces, and leave all participants and spectators
feeling proud to be a member of or associated with the U.S. Army.
d. Command options. This paragraph is punitive with regards to Soldiers. Violators of this policy may be subject to
UCMJ, ART. 92 (Failure to obey a lawful general order or regulation). Other applicable UCMJ articles include UCMJ,
ART. 80 (Attempts), UCMJ, ART. 81 (Conspiracy), UCMJ, ART. 93 (Cruelty and maltreatment), UCMJ, ART. 124
(Maiming), UCMJ, ART. 128 (Assault), UCMJ, ART. 133 (Conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman), and
UCMJ, ART. 134 (Drunk and disorderly conduct, and/or Soliciting another to commit an offense). Civilian employees
who violate this policy may also be subject to adverse action or discipline in accordance with applicable laws and
regulations. Commanders should seek the advice and counsel of their legal advisor when taking actions pursuant to this
paragraph.
4–21. Informal funds
Commanders may authorize informal funds. Examples of informal funds are office coffee, cup and flower, and annual
picnic funds. These funds are subject to the following guidelines:
a. Use is limited to expenses consistent with the purpose and function of the fund.
b. Only one individual is to be responsible for fund custody, accounting, and documentation. Annually, this
individual’s supervisor is advised of the fund’s financial status.
c. Operation of the fund will be consistent with Army values and DOD 5500.7–R.
d. Fund-raising solicitations conducted by organizations composed of civilian employees or members of the Uniformed
Services among their own members for organizational support or for the benefit of specific member welfare
funds are permitted, but they should be limited in number and scope during the official Combined Federal Campaign/
Army Emergency Relief periods in order to minimize competition with Combined Federal Campaign/Army Emergency
Relief.
4–22. Misuse of Government travel charge cards
Members of the Army are provided Government travel charge cards to facilitate official travel and official travelrelated
expenses away from the Soldier’s official duty station. Individual accountability for the management of the
Government travel charge card is vital for the continued success of the Government charge card program. The
Government travel card will not be used for personal, Family, or household purposes. Misuse of the Government
charge card is prohibited.
a. Definition. Misuse of a Government charge card includes any improper or fraudulent use of a Government travel
charge card, including any use at establishments or for purposes that are inconsistent with the official business of the
Army or with applicable standards of conduct. Improper use of the Government charge card is defined as using the
charge card for items or expenses that are not reimbursable as part of official travel or other official duties.
b. Scope. Government charge cards are to be used in accordance with the terms of the application agreement for the
Government travel charge card.
c. Command responsibilities. Enforcement of this policy is a responsibility of commanders at all levels. Commanders
will ensure that all Soldiers issued Government travel charge cards are properly counseled on the appropriate use of
the charge card. The best way to curtail charge card misuse is to prevent it through proper selection of cardholders,
training, and leadership by example. Commanders will further monitor use of the Government travel charge card to
detect abuse and take appropriate corrective or disciplinary action.
d. Command options. This paragraph is punitive with regards to Soldiers. Violators of this policy may be subject to
UCMJ, ART. 92 (Failure to obey a lawful general order or regulation), UCMJ, ART. 133 (Conduct unbecoming an
officer and a gentleman), and UCMJ, ART. 134 (Debt, dishonorably failing to pay). Commanders should seek the
advice and counsel of their legal advisor when taking actions pursuant to this paragraph.
e. Official travel related expenses. While these cards will be used only for reimbursable expenses associated with
official travel, the following (while not reimbursable) are considered to be related to official travel. Therefore, the
travel card may be used for the following purposes:
(1) Incidental expenses. The cardholder, while in a travel status, may use the card for non-reimbursable incidental
travel expenses, such as rental movies, personal telephone calls, exercise fees, and beverages, when these charges are
part of a room billing or meal and are reasonable.
(2) Expenses incurred during leave in conjunction with temporary duty. The travel card also may be used for
personal lodging or car rental charges, incurred in conjunction with otherwise authorized official travel expenses, when
such charges are an integral part of the billing for the period spent at the TDY location while on official travel (for
example, when a traveler spends a weekend or authorized leave at a TDY location before or after TDY, and a room or
car rental is continued into TDY, a weekend, or a period of authorized leave).
(3) Payments. The traveler will pay for incidental non-reimbursable personal expenses as part of the normal billing
process.
AR 600–20 18 March 2008
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