SOLDIERS and their families can plan their leisure trips easier with Offduty-travel.com. That's a new website created specifically for active-duty service members, Department of Defense civilians, retirees, their families and other eligible users.

Offdutytravel.com is online with special travel deals, free or low-cost trip arrangements, links to airlines, cruise lines, car rentals, train service, the Armed Forces Recreation Centers and even travel tips.

As Internet travel sites proliferate and as many travel agencies began to charge for services that were once free, the Army's leaders decided the military community needed an easy, inexpensive or even free way to make leisure travel arrangements.

"Offdutytravel.com gives information on the services available and offers links and phone numbers for providers. We've tried to put all the information at one convenient location, and we're working really hard to help soldiers so they aren't taken advantage of as the travel industry goes through a transitional period," said Dan Yount, leisure travel program manager in the U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center's Business Programs Directorate in Alexandria, Va. CFSC is the Army agency responsible for MWR programs and services.

In addition to fares, schedule information and links to other travel sites, there are links to companies that offer eligible users special rates on transportation services, and on travel and auto club memberships. Purchasing tickets or other travel services through those companies also returns a commission to the user's installation, money that helps pay for local MWR programs and activities.

"The website is there as a service to help you save money," Yount said. "We try to negotiate deals that will give either special values or a lower price for the service."

Yount said CFSC is also working to provide computers in on-post information, ticket and reservation offices so that everyone has access to the website. -- U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center Public Affairs Office