Can I bring my family with me to GTMO?

2020-05-10T20:38:06-04:00

I am going to GTMO this June as a reservist with a 31E unit. Is there any way I can bring my wife and child and how do you recommend I do that?

Response by LTJG Robert M. made May 10 at 2020 8:40 PM

2020-05-10T20:40:04-04:00

In my memory, no, but that’s 35 years ago I believe It was an unaccompanied billet.

Response by SFC Ocie Conner made May 10 at 2020 8:55 PM

2020-05-10T20:55:47-04:00

I believe, at least when I was there was a restricted tour!

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made May 10 at 2020 9:19 PM

2020-05-10T21:19:51-04:00

Unless things have recently changed it’s a unaccompanied tour.

Meaning no, you can’t bring them.

Response by 1SG Tommy McGee made May 10 at 2020 9:45 PM

2020-05-10T21:45:58-04:00

Some of my close friends just came back and they were all unoccumpanied.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2020 9:49 PM

2020-05-10T21:49:59-04:00

No. This is a TCS deployment. Not a PCS.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made May 10 at 2020 9:54 PM

2020-05-10T21:54:01-04:00

Your orders should be clearly designated as being accompanied or unaccompanied. That dictates everything else

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2020 11:31 PM

2020-05-10T23:31:37-04:00

Looks like the destination is Cuba or OCONUS. Your family members need to be on your orders. Otherwise you will have to pay out of pocket for their expenses and there are visas requirements and other things that you will have to do it on your own.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2020 2:45 AM

2020-05-11T02:45:57-04:00

I served there myself as active duty and if my memory is correct, Active duty can as its considered a PCS assignment, but for Reserves and Guard you are on deployment orders or TCS, so no you won't be able to bring family. GTMO has great cell service with TMobile though so you can stay in touch with your family throughout your tour.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2020 4:17 AM

2020-05-11T04:17:49-04:00

I do know someone who had his family fly down for a 4 day pass. With COVID I doubt that would be possible now. For a reserve tour getting command sponsorship isn't going to happen.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2020 5:11 AM

2020-05-11T05:11:55-04:00

GTMO is a restricted base. I’ve only been there twice, a few days. It wouldn’t make much sense for them to allow dependents there. There’s no where to go off base (foreign country, not our best friends). Those reserve slots are shorter rotations for a reason. Don’t know if my answer helps you or not. It’s a nice base though, try the jerked chicken spot and watch out for those fat ass banana rats running around. There’s a ton of scenery and wildlife out there to spot. The gym is nice but might be closed cause of COVID. Not sure.

Response by CPO Arthur Weinberger made May 11 at 2020 2:04 PM

2020-05-11T14:04:30-04:00

Of course, you can. They could share space with the inmates. The prisoners are partial to the US Army. Family picnics are a favorite.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2020 9:55 PM

2020-05-11T21:55:00-04:00

Think of the question you just asked.

Response by SPC William Carter made May 12 at 2020 12:55 PM

2020-05-12T12:55:46-04:00

There are ways to get around it if your unit does not allow it since, technically, you won’t be on a company tour and more than likely you won’t be sponsored. What I did when I was in Germany was find a place in town. Now that Americans can travel to Cuba, you could possibly do the same thing with your family. I also had school aged kids, so I put them in a German school and it didn’t cost anything but for school supplies. Most countries have foreign exchange students so it was no problem making it happen. I urge you to research how safe the community is outside of the compound before you make that decision because you want your family to be safe. Many told me it couldn’t be done but I made it happen.