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News | May 9, 2022

Employees required to report foreign travel

By DLA Installation Management, Security and Emergency Services

Employees going on temporary duty to foreign countries must do more than just complete travel orders in the Defense Travel System. 

The Defense Department’s Foreign Clearance Guide outlines requirements employees must complete before traveling. The requirements vary by combatant command and country, and they change continually based on current threats and COVID-19 conditions.

The DoD FCG is broken down by combatant command and the countries in each. Requirements for some countries include:

•    Country clearance in the Aircraft and Personnel Automated Clearance System
•    Antiterrorism Level I within 12 months before travel;
•    Isolated Personnel Report training within 12 months before travel;
•    Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape training within 36 months before travel; 
•    An Individual Antiterrorism Plan in some instances; and
•    A travel threat briefing from an antiterrorism officer.

Requirements must be met 45-60 days before travel. The lead time for completing country clearance in APACS varies by country and ranges from 21-45 days. All DTS orders for foreign travel are routed to the local antiterrorism officer, who certifies that the traveler has received a travel threat briefing for each country.

Employees with a top secret or sensitive compartmented information clearance have additional requirements for official or unofficial travel and should consult their special security officer for guidelines.  

All employees traveling to a foreign country for pleasure are also encouraged to receive a travel threat briefing from their local ATO.

The State Department’s website includes travel alerts and warnings for countries with an elevated threat. The site also has information on embassies and consulates; entry, exit and visa requirements; local laws and special circumstances; and health and medical facilities for every country.

The State Department encourages U.S. citizens to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program before traveling to receive embassy alerts and be contacted in the event of a natural disaster, civil unrest or family emergency. Enrollment can also help family or friends reach employees in an emergency.