Yeah, I am pretty sure I have read before that a valid military ID is a valid form of identification for entry to certain countries.

Will have to try and dig up the link.

This cannot be the first time this has happened, what with millions of US GIs overseas for the last 60 years.

Since the military operates around the globe, most GIs will see some overseas time while on duty. IIRC the Marines invade other countries, not the US. I would hope the US policy is to encourage soldiers to see neighboring non-war-zone countries on their R&R to get a broader view of the world while they are out and about.

For a military that loves paperwork and telling young recruits what to do, I find it amazing that no one in the Pentagon has ever made it a rule that everyone in basic training fill out a passport application as standard procedure. They should have all the necessary documents in their file, otherwise how were they let in the Army, as Undocumented Guest Workers? A 10 year passport will outlast the active duty time of the majority of the military, so it is a one time event in most cases. They should be able to get a huge "Group Discount" rate from the State Department on the filing fees, after all, they are the ones guarding those State Dept. bureaucrats paper pushing behinds at every embassy!

If for no other reason it would aid the soldiers travel via civilian routes without need for orders or special GI paperwork or on military planes.

Who's in charge of the War Department? Homeland Security? That could explain it.

Ughh, most soldiers DO travel the civilian route, and have little or no need for having a psasport when doing so, as stated above their Military ID's are enough.

I have a friend who works in and from the Green Zone with USAID. She was issued with an official (sort of like diplomatic) passport for travel. From that I assumed all personnel going to Iraq had some sort of passport, whether the civilian blue or something more official. Have to admit, I find it odd that they do not, if only to simplify travel or at the very least R&R.

Military personnel deployed overseas is a bit different. In any event, it's not like the Iraqi government gave US soldiers work visas in March 2003.

I agree, it is odd. I'd feel so uneasy to be in another country without a passport. Although if you consider that the cost of a passport application ($100ish?) is a lot of money for a newly enlisted soldier making $15K-$20K per year, coupled with the fact that many of the soldiers I've met don't really have an interest in international travel it makes a little more sense.

In hindsight, they should have had a passport before they left, but I think they were a bit distracted.

[OMNI]
As for the US Military being able to go where they want without passports: It's just another example of the US Government not following rules it expects the rest of the world to follow...
[/OMNI]

Actually for many/most personnel that I've met foreign travel was one of the reasons they signed up. For that matter NATO personnel from other countries with the correct papework do NOT require passports for travel to the US, so much of what gt writes is just a rant and what GU writes is pretty right on.

You've met a many people who signed up with foreign travel in mind, and I've encountered many people who care very very little about foreign travel. That does not make what I was saying a rant. I was simply stating anecdotal evidence. I apologize if something I said offended you.

I've spent a lot of time on army bases. I've met hundreds of soldiers. I've been exposed to a variety of individuals throughout my brother's career as he's advanced from an enlisted soldier to an officer. I don't think it's the least bit inaccurate to say that many many people who sign up for the army, especially enlisted folks are concerned far less with international travel than the average FT visitor.

Military recruiters often recruit using marketing lines related to "you'll see the world and more with us". Perhaps the typical member of the armed forces or national guard is less interested in travel than the typical active FTer -- or perhaps not -- but there are plenty of members of the armed forces/national guard who are more interested in travel than their average co-townie who is not a member of FT.

Did I say that the average GI is as interested/travels as much as an FT'er??? Thought not.

To confirm comments upthread, during my nine years of military service ending in the mid 1980s, a military ID and leave orders were all one needed to enter NATO countries, Australia, New Zealand, and other allied nations.

The U.S. still has some good recreation bases in Germany (Interlaken ?), not to mention the Hale Koa on Waikiki, etc. The active duty folks should check out their Welfare and Recreation office. There are travel books sold at Army and Air Force Exchange Service stores and Navy Exchange stores geared toward military folks.

In addition to commercial flights, they can catch space available flights (hops) with the Military Airlift Command, though it is tough during summer with all the PCS (Permanent Change of Station) family moves, who have priority over personnel on leave. Military bases throughout the world also serve as de facto hotels, with the BEQs (Bachelor Enlisted Quarters) and BOQs (Bachelor Officers Quarters) -- again, leave status having the lowest priority. Some are in quite nice locations. I made good use of this fringe benefit, also flying on reserve P-3s going transcon.

For many lower and middle class folks, the military is indeed their ticket to see the world.

Thanks for the info. I think between this and the website that LostInAmerica posted earlier I should be able to compile a list of places that my brother & wife can go for their mid-tour two-week break. ^