Space-A
Checklist

Required Documents for Space-A Travel

Arriving at an AMC passenger terminal without the correct documents means you will be turned away—no exceptions. Unlike commercial air travel, military terminal personnel follow strict regulatory requirements under AMC Instruction 36-3802 and cannot make accommodations for travelers who are missing paperwork. Missing a single required document, even after spending days waiting at the terminal, results in losing your seat and your place in the queue. This reference covers every document category so you can prepare correctly before you ever leave home.

Documents Required for All Travelers

Every Space-A traveler—regardless of category, destination, or branch of service—must present a valid military ID card at check-in. For active duty service members this is the Common Access Card (CAC). For dependents it is the DD Form 1173 (tan or blue dependent ID). The ID must be valid for the full duration of your planned travel, not just the departure date.

Children under 10 years old do not receive a DD Form 1173 automatically. To travel Space-A, they must be listed on a milConnect printout (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System — DEERS) confirming their enrollment and relationship to the sponsoring service member. Download this from milConnect before departing and keep a printed copy with your travel documents.

Documents by Category

In addition to the universal ID requirement, each Space-A eligibility category has its own specific documentation. Bring originals and at least one photocopy of each.

Category I — Emergency Leave

Category I travelers receive the highest boarding priority for genuine family emergencies. Required documents include an approved leave form (DA Form 31 for Army, AF Form 988 for Air Force, NAVMC 3 or equivalent for Navy/Marine Corps) and an American Red Cross emergency message verifying the nature of the emergency. The Red Cross message must be current and command-endorsed. Without both documents, you cannot board as Cat I and will be reclassified to a lower category.

Categories II and III — Accompanied and Ordinary Leave

Category II travelers are those on Environmental and Morale Leave (EML) from an overseas assignment, traveling with their command-sponsored dependents. Category III covers active duty members on ordinary leave. Both categories require an approved leave form: DA Form 31 (Army), AF Form 988 (Air Force), or NAVMC 3 / equivalent (Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard). The leave form must show the authorized leave period and must be signed by the appropriate authority. An unsigned or expired leave form will disqualify you.

Category IV — Unaccompanied Dependents and Designated Travelers

Unaccompanied Category IV dependents—those traveling without the active duty service member—must carry a commander authorization letterfrom the service member's commanding officer explicitly authorizing the dependent's Space-A travel. This letter must include the service member's name, rank, unit, and contact information, and should be on official unit letterhead. Some terminals also require the service member's leave form or orders. Check with the specific terminal for its current requirements.

Category V — Command-Sponsored OCONUS Dependents

Category V covers dependents of active duty members stationed OCONUS who travel unaccompanied (without the sponsor). The key document is a commander authorization letteron official letterhead authorizing the dependent's Space-A travel. Note: Reserve and Guard members not on active duty orders are Category VI, not Category V.

Category VI — Retired Military & P&T Disabled Veterans

Retired service members travel under Category VI with the lowest boarding priority. Retirees receiving pay need a DD Form 2 (Retired)and can fly worldwide. For 100% Permanent & Total (P&T) disabled veterans, you need a DOD ID card (DD-2765) plus a VA Benefits Summary Letterconfirming 100% P&T status — travel is limited to CONUS and US territories. Gray area retirees need a DD-2765 or Notice of Eligibility letter and are also restricted to CONUS + US territories.

Documents for International (OCONUS) Travel

Traveling to any location outside the continental United States adds a layer of documentation requirements beyond your military ID and leave form. Failure to have these documents does not result in a waiver—you will be denied boarding.

Passport

A valid U.S. passport is required for all OCONUS Space-A travel, including travel to Hawaii (which, as a U.S. state, is CONUS) versus Guam, Japan, Korea, Germany, or Spain. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended return date. Terminals will check expiration dates at check-in. Apply for a renewed passport well in advance—processing times vary and expedited renewal is not guaranteed.

SOFA Stamp

The Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) stamp is required for entry into countries where the U.S. has a SOFA that grants military travelers expedited entry without a tourist visa. The three most common destinations requiring a SOFA stamp are Japan, South Korea, and Germany. The stamp is placed in your passport by your unit's travel office or the installation's Military Personnel Flight (MPF) before departure. It cannot be obtained at the terminal or upon arrival. Allow at least 5–10 business days for processing.

Visas

For destinations not covered by a SOFA or U.S. visa-waiver agreement, you may need a country-specific visa. Requirements vary based on your destination, the purpose of your visit, and your personal status (active duty vs. retired vs. dependent). Check the U.S. Department of State travel website and your installation's travel office for current requirements before booking.

Immunization Records

Some OCONUS destinations require proof of vaccination. The standard document is the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), also known as the yellow card (Carte Jaune). Yellow fever vaccination proof may be required for travel through or to certain African and South American countries. Verify specific requirements through your installation's public health office or travel medicine clinic well before your departure date.

Baggage Rules

Space-A baggage allowances are set by AMC and are strictly enforced. The standard allowance is two bags, maximum 70 lbs each (approximately 32 kg). Total checked baggage must not exceed 140 lbs combined. Carry-on allowances vary by aircraft type.

On cargo aircraft (such as the C-17 Globemaster III or C-5 Galaxy), passengers ride in the cargo bay and must wear closed-toe shoes—sandals, flip-flops, and open-toe footwear are prohibited for safety reasons. Dress comfortably but conservatively; cargo aircraft can be loud, cold, and unpressurized at altitude.

Pets are not permitted on Space-A flights. Firearms may be transported only in a hard-sided, locked case in checked baggage, declared at check-in, and in compliance with all federal and host-nation laws. Verify current firearms policies directly with the terminal before traveling.

What Happens if You Are Missing a Document?

AMC terminal personnel are not authorized to waive documentation requirements under any circumstances. If you arrive at the terminal without a required document, you will be turned away from that flight. You do not retain your roll call position—you lose your spot entirely. There are no emergency exceptions, no “I'll bring it next time,” and no way to have documents faxed or emailed to the terminal on your behalf.

Always bring originals plus at least one photocopy of every required document. Store originals and copies in separate bags in case luggage is lost or delayed. A common practice among experienced Space-A travelers is to keep a complete document packet in a waterproof folder that travels with them at all times during the trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a passport for CONUS travel?

No. A passport is not required for travel within the continental United States (CONUS), Alaska, or Hawaii. However, Guam—while a U.S. territory—is considered OCONUS for Space-A purposes, and a passport is required. Always confirm with the terminal for any mission that crosses international boundaries, even briefly.

What ID do children need?

Children under 10 do not receive a DD Form 1173. They must be represented by a milConnect DEERS printout showing their name, date of birth, and enrollment status. Children 10 and older should have their own DD Form 1173. Bring both the ID card and the milConnect printout when traveling with minors to avoid any ambiguity at check-in.

Is a leave form the same as orders?

No. A leave form (DA Form 31, AF Form 988, etc.) is an internal authorization document granting a service member time away from duty. Travel orders are official government travel directives authorizing funded travel to a specific location. Space-A travelers use leave forms, not orders—orders would make the travel TDY or PCS, not Space-A. If you are traveling on funded orders, you are not traveling Space-A.

How do I get a SOFA stamp?

Contact your unit's S1 (Army), MPF (Air Force), or equivalent personnel office. They will process the SOFA stamp into your no-fee or personal passport. Processing typically takes 5–10 business days but can take longer during peak PCS season (May–August). Do not wait until the week before your planned travel to start this process.

Can I bring prescription medications?

Yes, but keep all medications in their original labeled pharmacy containers. For international travel, carry a physician's letter for controlled substances and verify that your medications are legal in your destination country. Some medications that are common in the U.S. are controlled or prohibited in Japan, South Korea, and other SOFA countries. Check with the destination country's embassy for current regulations.

This page is an unofficial reference guide for Space-A travelers. All document requirements should be verified with your installation's travel office and the destination terminal before travel. The authoritative regulatory source is AMC Instruction 36-3802 (Space-Available Travel Program). Requirements change periodically — always confirm current policies directly with AMC.