Military Travel Assistance
TSA provides airport security screening assistance and benefits for all members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The following information for screening your person, carry-on bags and checked baggage can help you have a smooth travel experience at the airport.
Assistance for Veterans and Wounded Warriors
Injured, wounded service members, veterans and wounded warriors may contact TSA Cares to request assistance with the security screening process. TSA Cares is a helpline to assist travelers with disabilities and medical conditions. Call TSA Cares 72 hours prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint at (855) 787-2227.
TSA verifies the status of individuals identifying themselves as a wounded warriors, through the appropriate military branch. Following verification, the travel information is provided to the departing/arriving U.S. airports where wounded warriors may use TSA Pre✓® expedited screening at available locations or experience other expedited screening procedures.
Injured service members/veterans requesting assistance will have their travel information and type of assistance required provided to the departing/arriving U.S. airports to ensure they receive proper assistance at the security checkpoint.
Expedited Screening Benefits
All members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including those serving in the Reserves and National Guard can benefit from TSA Pre✓® expedited screening at select airports when flying on participating airlines. Cadets and midshipmen of the U.S. Military Academy, Naval Academy, Coast Guard Academy and Air Force Academy are also eligible to receive TSA Pre✓® screening benefits. Use your Department of Defense identification number when making flight reservations. Accompanying family members ages 12 and under can be processed through expedited screening as well. Learn about TSA Pre✓®.
U.S. Armed Forces members do not need to be in uniform and may use TSA Pre✓® while on personal or official travel.
Enter the 10-digit DoD ID number located on the back of the common access card as your known traveler number when making flight reservations or when updating your Defense Travel System profile for official travel. If the number is not on your CAC, you may obtain it by logging on to milConnect. You will find your ID number under the “My Profile” tab. To ensure future airline reservations automatically include your DoD ID number, save it in your DTS profile. You may also save your DoD ID number in any frequent flyer program profiles of the participating airlines.
Transport of Weapons by an Individual Soldier
Firearms, ammunition and firearm parts are prohibited in carry-on baggage and may be transported in checked baggage only. If you have just returned from overseas duty or any assignment where you carried a firearm or ammunition, check your carry-on bag and other belongings to ensure firearms, parts or ammunition are not present.
Rules for individually transporting firearms and ammunition.
Rules for transporting sharp objects and tool.
List of prohibited hazardous materials.
Transport of Weapons by the Unit
The unit must declare weapons and ammunition to the aircraft operator.
Weapons must be unloaded.
Weapons must be collectively secured in a crate and banded or individually locked in a hard-sided case.
Ammunition must also be securely packed in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.
Firearm magazines/clips for packing ammunition must be completely and securely enclosing any ammunition (e.g., by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder or holster).
You may carry the ammunition in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as you pack it as described above.
A unit representative must submit the unit's official travel orders and an inventory of weapons and ammunition being transported.
The unit representative must certify to TSA in writing that the weapons are unloaded.