If you are active duty stationed in Europe, do you need a passport to travel or just a leave form and military orders?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 12:51:47 -0400

If you are active duty stationed in Europe do you need a passport to travel or just leave form and military orders?

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Aug 18 at 2018 12:59 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 12:59:10 -0400

Good question. When I was serving (and the Earth was without form) my military ID was the equivalent of a passport.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2018 1:10 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 13:10:08 -0400

Don't know anymore, but orders and ID used to fill the bill. Passport is helpful if one plans non-military travel later. If mission requires one, a brown US passport will usually be issued vice a personal blue one.

Response by SPC Joseph Wojcik made Aug 18 at 2018 1:16 PM

SPC Joseph Wojcik — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 13:16:20 -0400

It would be wise to use a passport and civilian ID card when traveling for personal reasons. Don't want to risk being a bigger target, you know.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2018 2:34 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 14:34:41 -0400

For official travel, your orders and ID. For leave travel, use your passport. You are not on official business when you go on leave. Only use your ID if it becomes necessary and you need to identify yourself to customs officials.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 18 at 2018 9:38 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 21:38:37 -0400

Ask your command!

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Aug 19 at 2018 2:15 PM

SGT Matthew S. — Sun, 19 Aug 2018 14:15:26 -0400

Check with your command; it depends on the country you are going to (I assume this is for leave/ a pass?). For non-official travel, a passport and civilian ID is your best bet and should get you in to most countries. A word of warning, though: Make sure your passport was stamped when you entered Europe, even though you just needed your military ID. Me and another guy were nearly detained at the Czech border while returning to Germany. Our story was that we were college kids traveling around (despite military haircuts and bearing), and we had a stamp from Germany in to the Czech Republic - but on further inspection he noted there was no entry stamp in to Germany.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2020 7:49 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 19:49:12 -0500

Ask your squad leader.