I suppose for some countries (Afghanistan, Iraq) it's irrelevant, but what about U.S. bases in Germany or South Korea. Do U.S. soldiers enter those countries via immigration (as a business traveller would), or just sort of land.
And returning home ... even Bill Gates and Warren Buffet must be approved by a lowly immigration clerk when they fly into the U.S.
But are soldiers outside of that process?
2006-10-26 01:34:00 · 18 answers · asked by superstar dj 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Yes, we ALlLhave passports and must use them to go through any foriegn country. If it is for a deployment, to the middle east, they do not go through customs. If it is a family move, yes they do go through customs. My husband has a TDY's in the UK, Garmany, and Italy and has had to go through customs.
2006-10-26 06:49:27 · answer #1 · answered by mustangsally76 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It depends on what your job is with the military. Navy Intelligence Specialist have to have a passport. They tend to fly to different countries like a "regular" person. So the other country doesn't know they are in the US Military. For certain jobs in the military they don't want broadcast the fact that they are in the military. In some cases they fly so far on a "regular" plane and then fly to their mission on a military plane. It's always safe to be prepared and have one, rather than get stuck some place without one.
2006-10-29 17:03:19 · answer #2 · answered by confused 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. My husband was in the Marines for 4 years and traveled extensively. He was never required to have a passport. Your military ID is sufficient. You are processed by the military not by immigration.
2006-10-26 08:46:50 · answer #3 · answered by RelayLover 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, not if it's for the military. My husband and I currently reside in Germany, and he still doesn't have his passport. I have one, but he doesn't.
We landed at Frankfurt am Main International Airport. All he had to do was show his ID and orders. I had to show my ID and passport.
If it's just regular travel, then yes, a soldier does need a passport.
2006-10-26 08:37:08 · answer #4 · answered by The_Cricket: Thinking Pink! 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the SOFA (Status Of Forces Agreement)
We have treaty's with many countries deciding what military and family members need over seas. They are not all the same but for many countries you do not need a passport just a military ID Card and orders.
2006-10-26 08:46:30 · answer #5 · answered by MP US Army 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
When I was shipped over seas I was issued a govt passport as my duty station was in Bahrain in the Persian gulf so we were not supposed to travel in uniform. This requires a passport.
2006-10-26 15:30:48 · answer #6 · answered by brian L 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only problem with not having a passport when serving abroad is you are stuck, you cannot cross any international border unless under military orders to do so.
2006-10-26 09:42:18 · answer #7 · answered by tom l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was in the Marine Corps and we went to Japan, Australia, East Timor, Palau, Phillipines, Thailand and never had a passport. Discharged in 2003 so i dont know if it has changed.
2006-10-26 08:49:34 · answer #8 · answered by brenden b 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they have passports. And if they travel via commercial vehicles, they are processed the same as anyone else. If they travel via military means, they are processed by our military in accordance with treaties with the affected countries. For hostile countries (e.g. Iraq) they are only process by our military.
2006-10-26 08:41:29 · answer #9 · answered by ML 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
no passport required, military exempt,, now if you are in a country where there is no war,,, and you travel throught the country on your own time ,,, of course your commander will know where you are at,,,, because you are required to tell him...
the american emb.. wants to know where you are at.
but when you travel ,,, walk softly and carry a battilon of tanks
2006-10-26 09:34:31 · answer #10 · answered by RED WHITE AND BLUE 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋