Antiterrorism Office

Army personnel traveling in the European and African theaters must accomplish the following items to ensure they are adequately prepared for travel:

• Complete country clearance request as required by the DOD's Foreign Clearance Guide using the Aircraft and Personnel Automated Clearance Guide (APACS).
• Review country-specific information and any additional requirements in the DOD's Foreign Clearance Guide.
• Check the DoD Travel Advisory Level and learn about your destination on DOS' International Travel page.
• Register to receive alerts from DOS' Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP enrollment is required for your European home and all travel destinations.
• Do you have an SCI clearance? Foreign travel must be reported through the SSO Foreign Travel Reporting page. Please submit travel no later than 5 days prior to travel but no earlier than 30 days.
• Check for additional COVID-related restrictions, approvals, or entry requirements at: Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Seek necessary approval IAW the information below (AT Requirements for Unofficial Travel).
• Ask your unit about additional requirements and request a threat brief, e.g., Communication Plan and an ATO Level II Area of Responsibility (AOR) Travel Briefing.

1) Identify the threat & travel requirements.  The DOD Foreign Clearance Guide provides country specific official/unofficial travel requirements for DOD personnel. State Department travel advisories,  OSAC country crime and safety reports, USAREUR quarterly travel message, and foreign travel briefs. The local AT officer can provide additional travel information.

2) Identify vulnerabilities.  Vulnerabilities make you more susceptible to the terrorist threat. Some questions to ask when looking at your potential vulnerabilities: Will you be in areas frequented by Americans or other tourists? Do your clothes or luggage identify you as U.S. or DOD affiliated? Will there be large crowds that present a lucrative target? Is your travel mode or destination something terrorists previously targeted?

3) Assess risk and develop mitigation measures.  Determine actions you can take to mitigate risk, considering things like travel mode, destination, and events. Minimizing time in the non-secure area of an airport, for example, may reduce your exposure. The individual protective measures section of this pamphlet provides a few suggestions. Look at each step of your travel for potential risk reduction measures, and then decide whether the benefits outweigh the risk.

4) Make an AT travel plan.   Once you have identified measures to reduce your risk, document them in an individual AT plan—this may be as simple as making a wallet-size card that includes key POCs and individual AT measures. Share with fellow travelers, and ensure everyone knows the plan. To read the current quarterly AT Travel tri-fold.

• Use the internet and mapping functions to research destinations and the security environment, and to ID potential safe havens such as police stations.
• Know law enforcement and U.S. Embassy phone numbers. Always have an escape plan, in the event you find yourself in a bad situation.
• Establish alternative methods to contact family, friends, and unit personnel.
• Discuss security plans with your family and other travelers.
• Your safety begins with you!