Heading out to JBSA Randolph for a TDY or pilot training comes with a long checklist. One of the most common points of confusion for incoming military members is the Letter of Non-Availability (Non-A).
Many travelers mistakenly believe that if they don’t get a Non-A from base lodging, they are strictly forced to stay on base.
But what does the actual military travel policy say? Let’s take a look at the official guidance, the Joint Travel Regulations.
What the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) Says
According to the official Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), Table 2-14, you are allowed to choose off-base lodging as a personal preference. Source: https://www.travel.dod.mil/Policy-Regulations/Joint-Travel-Regulations/
This JTR rule states that if adequate government quarters are available on the installation to which a service member is assigned TDY, but the service member chooses to use other lodging, “the Service member is limited to the reimbursement cost of Government quarters on the assigned TDY installation”.
In other words: No, you do not need a Non-A letter to stay off-base. If you choose to book an off-base military crash pad or off-base accommodations by choice, the government will still reimburse your lodging costs—it just caps your nightly rate at whatever the base would have charged you for an on-base room.
How TDYBox Pricing Aligns with the JTR
This is where booking off-base accommodations becomes a major benefit. Base lodging rates fluctuate over time based on local policy and fiscal updates.
At TDYBox, our properties simply to track exactly along with whatever the active on-base lodging per diem rate happens to be.
Because our nightly rate matches the government cap precisely, you get to bypass the hassle of fighting for a Non-A while without incurring any out-of-pocket expenses.
Upgrade Your Stay at One of Our Houses
If you are ready to trade a cramped base room for a spacious home with a full kitchen, private yard, and zero shared-wall noise, you can upgrade your TDY experience easily.
Check out our popular Spring House property to see what fully equipped, family-friendly off-base living looks like just minutes from the JBSA Randolph gates. Before you book, feel free to review our General Information page or browse our FAQ page to learn more about how we set up our stays.
Ready to check our active availability or secure your dates? Head right over to our Reservation Page to get started.
Important Caveat: Check with Your AO
While the JTR explicitly outlines your right to choose alternative lodging up to the on-base cost limit, local unit policies or specific travel orders can sometimes feature unique constraints.
If you have any questions, it is always a smart and practical move to confirm with your Approving Official (AO) or local finance office to clear up any lingering unit or situation specific inquiries.