Pre-Travel

Request Travel Orders

If you are a new DoDEA employee, your HR representative will do this for you.

If you are a current DoDEA employee, you may initiate your travel orders by accessing the Travel Order Processing System (TOPS). TOPS allows DoDEA employees to create, track, and view completed travel orders.

Complete the Anti-Terrorism Training

If you are a new DoDEA employee, one of the first steps in the HR process is to complete the online Anti-Terrorism Training course. The link below is for new DoDEA employees and family members.

https://jkodirect.jten.mil/Atlas2/faces/page/login/Login.seam

Sign the Transportation Agreement

Apply for an Official Passport

As an overseas employee with the U.S government, you are eligible for a no-fee, official passport. This is a maroon-colored passport, different from your blue tourist passport. Entering your foreign host country with your official passport and your orders usually makes things go smoother. Please email hqpassports@dodea.edu for details on the passport documents and to find a local "acceptance agent."

You (and any dependents) will need to appear before an "acceptance agent" at a local military base with the following:

• Passport Form DS-11

• Evidence of U.S. citizenship (original birth certificate or tourist passport)

• Valid photo identification (CAC, driving license, etc)

• Single-sided photocopy of the front and back of the identification

• One passport photo

• Authorization document(s) (Your official offer letter and transportation agreement will work)

Gather together important documents: originals and color copies

There are many different in-processing steps and offices, and they will all want different documents. It is important that you have originals and at least 5 copies of each of the following:

• Orders

• Travel agreement

• Tourist passports

• Official passports

• Birth certificates

• Marriage certificates

• Vehicle title

• Vehicle registration

• Vehicle inspection

• International Driving Permit (available through AAA)

• If you're currently employed by the federal government, print your last two LESs

Get your move on! (Ship your household goods and vehicle)

One of the most important steps once you have been issued your travel orders is to go to the nearest installation and set up your Household Goods (HHG) shipment and travel arrangements. Use the portals at move.mil and Defense Personal Property System. Be sure to call the local military installation to find out how to access these offices if you do not currently have a government ID. If you do not live close to a military installation, call the closest location and discuss how they might be able to help you and you might be able to still make these arrangements with them by faxing over needed documents.

If you have been authorized to ship a vehicle, you can make those arrangements through International Auto Logistics (IAL) at PCSmyPOV.

Up, up, and away! (Request your travel arrangements)

If you are a new DoDEA employee, your HR contact will work with you to make travel arrangements. You should wait until your HHG and POV move dates are confirmed.

If you are a current DoDEA employee, you can make travel arrangements through CWT SATO or book your flights yourself.

STEP it up! (COVID and State Department)

Please read DoDEA's COVID Travel Requirements and check with your airline.

Please create an account and enroll at the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).

Shop 'til you drop! (Request your APO mailbox)

One benefit of working overseas with the U.S. government is access to the U.S. Postal Service abroad. You will have an APO box which can receive U.S. mail at U.S. postal rates. Most online shopping platforms can make arrangements to ship to APO addresses.

Send a copy of your orders to your sponsor. They will get you all set up at your installation post office.

Get ready to eat! (Food delivery apps)

During your quarantine, you can go out for essential shopping. Restaurants and bakeries are available for take out and delivery only.

You may want to download these delivery apps to your phone and activate accounts for:

• Uber Eats

• Deliveroo

Activating delivery accounts usually requires sending an activation code to an active phone number. It's best to do that before you arrive, since your US phone number is likely not to work here.