Out of country Travel

S

ServantoUSA

USAFA '22
Joined
Jun 8, 2017
Messages
19
I accepted my appointment and I think I've seen a post about this before but couldn't find it.
I want to travel out of the country to Jordan this summer between the end of school and the beginning of BCT -- Do I have to do anything special or can I just go?
 
Is there some pressing reason to go to the Middle East during those short weeks? Is grandma on her deathbed? Is it the only place on the planet where lil' sis can receive that medical treatment?

Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Israel, Egypt... sheesh.

Go to Dubai. They seem friendly.
 
I'm going to London, Barcelona, Seville, and Amsterdam with a friend who is also CO2022. I mean personally Jordan doesn't seem like the kind of place I'd want to go before reporting in, but to each his own. I don't see why you wouldn't be allowed to go to Jordan, but it doesn't hurt to ask your liaison officer or counselor.
 
fencersmother said:
Is there some pressing reason to go to the Middle East during those short weeks? Is grandma on her deathbed? Is it the only place on the planet where lil' sis can receive that medical treatment?

Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Israel, Egypt... sheesh.

Go to Dubai. They seem friendly.
Click to expand...
I appreciate your opinion, yet this is not the place for your remarks.

Without a large explanation, I am of heritage to one of the countries you listed. Quite frankly this is offending and uncalled for. Reading something like this is discouraging for those who aspire to join the military.

The military is structured around diversity. Rather than discourage students like myself, support them in all ways you can. I apologize ma'am, yet I can't let this slide.

Thank you.

*I'm sorry if I disrupted the purpose of this thread. Have fun on your trip!*
 
cash10 said:
Quite frankly this is offending and uncalled for.
Click to expand...

Uncalled for ? Not really.

On a practical level this will certainly trigger a delay and more scrutiny during an SF-86 investigation.

I've spent a big chunk of my civilian career working in the gulf states... there are huge risks to having an American passport there, especially with a commission and a clearance in my case. Given the massive OPM breeches I just operate under the assumption that my relationship with the Navy is known when I enter a foreign country. I'm not saying don't go... but I am saying that the OP probably doesn't fully understand how personal travel can impact a military career, and won't be able to fully understand until they go through the gate in Colorado Springs.
 
ServantoUSA said:
I accepted my appointment and I think I've seen a post about this before but couldn't find it.
I want to travel out of the country to Jordan this summer between the end of school and the beginning of BCT -- Do I have to do anything special or can I just go?
Click to expand...

Keep track of travel dates out of the US, locations, foreign nationals you spend time with. When it’s time to do the SF-86 security clearance work, you will have to list these things so many years back. More scrutiny is paid to some countries than others.

Here’s what you have to look forward to, 120+ pages of fun, though at least it’s done online these days:
https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf86-non508.pdf

Once in uniform, military personnel may be prohibited from visiting certain countries while on personal leave, due to current threat assessment. Leave requests for foreign travel are bounced against current no travel lists. Even while traveling under orders in civilian clothes, possession of a military ID can make a military member more attractive as a target. I have never forgotten the story of Petty Officer Robert Stethem, for whom USS STETHEM is named.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Stethem

This is a sample link on prohibitions for military personnel stationed in Europe:
http://www.eur.army.mil/TravelSafe/

As a complete civilian, you can travel as you like right now, paying attention to DOS advisories.
 
Oh please. You can be offended all you want @cash10
I'm with @fencersmother.
Staying out of the countries she listed is a good idea because the OP is traveling on a United States passport.
Having had a good friend singled out and murdered for this very reason, is my reason for siding with her sage advice.
 
^^^ I agree. It has nothing to do with diversity, but anyone who plans to travel outside the USA should have some basic awareness of places where travel could be problematic and why. It doesn't even have to be overseas, there are places in Mexico where travel is not recommended. You can check various govt. websites for the latest travel advisories.
 
Paris and Normandy France followed by Prague ok? I check the DOs website a while back and didn’t see any issues other than the normal ones you see.
 
Proudmama1103 said:
Paris and Normandy France followed by Prague ok? I check the DOs website a while back and didn’t see any issues other than the normal ones you see.
Click to expand...

Email the point of contact. My son didn’t want to have an issue later with 2 weeks in Thailand. He traveled on his own to visit an exchange student friend and had an amazing trip. They would be the most reliable information for your situation.

Thanks for the tip to keep track of where they go for the security clearance. He has a travel bug. Might have been genetic. [emoji51]

The original poster may be visiting family or friends and it’s a good time to do so before your time is limited.
 
Love4monsters said:
Email the point of contact. My son didn’t want to have an issue later with 2 weeks in Thailand. He traveled on his own to visit an exchange student friend and had an amazing trip. They would be the most reliable information for your situation.

Thanks for the tip to keep track of where they go for the security clearance. He has a travel bug. Might have been genetic. [emoji51]

The original poster may be visiting family or friends and it’s a good time to do so before your time is limited.
Click to expand...

Point of contact? Ours is a family trip. Make a difference he is with family?
 
My son emailed his RC at USMA before he proceeded with the trip. I am not sure which academy your child is going to attend.
 
"Hahaha! You meant that as a joke, right? No, it matters not."

Longtime lurker but I made an account for this.
It's great when you see a moderator belittling the (valid) question of a new member who is genuinely looking for help.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top