Posted on Dec 6, 2017
Is there anything I need to know to study Abroad in Ireland for one month while in the National Guard?
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i am interested in studying abroad with my university for one month in Ireland i am about to put in a split train request to my unit and was wondering if there will be any other forms i need to fill or training that is required to go abroad. i don't think anyone in my unit has ever done this so i just want to be prepared knowing exactly what i need to do encase they don't know.
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Army Regulations
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 6
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You will need to complete a SUTA request, and get it approved through your CoC. They will probably advise you to go to the US State Dept website to research any known travel issues in the country. Shouldn't be an issue if you start it 60-90 days out.
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SPC David Willis
Main reason being not so much for safer travel but if you have any run ins with police or civilians abroad it's much better they think you're a dumb tourist instead of picking up the phone and calling the embassy saying "hey we got a soldier of yours"
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MSG (Join to see)
Wrong answer. You can be accused of spionage if you fail to reveal your military background. They will call the embassy is you get in trouble regardless if you are a tourist. You do not have to share any information, and for safety you can say that you are a student and that's it.
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CPO (Join to see)
SPC David Willis - I disagree. I would definitely bring my CAC and CAC reader with me, an emergency contact list for CoC, and maybe my official passport packed away just in case, but I would likely avoid hooah shirts and any other "I'm a US Soldier" identifiers. (i.e. duffel bag, UCP/OCP camo items, combat boots, dog tags, gortex, tight reg hair, etc.)
Remember to back up your laptop/phone/camera before you travel and delete things that might get you in trouble or prove embarrassing when inspected by US, UK, or Irish customs enforcement. Log out of all accounts (email, facebook, cloud, twitter, banking, amazon, wifi, etc) and remove all auto-connect/auto-login options (erase usernames and passwords). Enable all password options during travel (power-on, desktop login, screen lock/screensaver, apps, account access, wifi, etc) and disable file-sharing. Consider a burner phone instead of your US smartphone. Encrypt data if possible. (Its often better to put sensitive info on a well hidden small encrypted thumb drive/SD card secured within your checked luggage than saved on your laptop's hard drive or phone's memory -- but I'm just weird like that.)
https://www.eff.org/wp/digital-privacy-us-border-2017
https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/qkvmvq/you-have-no-right-to-electronic-privacy-when-you-cross-the-us-border
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/cbp-search-authority
https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/inspection-electronic-devices-tearsheet.pdf
Contrary to what CBP often claims, you are *not* required to provide them your PIN or password to assist them in searching your electronic devices. However, that tactic might also extend your border delay, especially if they want to get even with you for knowing you are not required to unlock your devices.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/14/business/border-enforcement-airport-phones.html
Remember to back up your laptop/phone/camera before you travel and delete things that might get you in trouble or prove embarrassing when inspected by US, UK, or Irish customs enforcement. Log out of all accounts (email, facebook, cloud, twitter, banking, amazon, wifi, etc) and remove all auto-connect/auto-login options (erase usernames and passwords). Enable all password options during travel (power-on, desktop login, screen lock/screensaver, apps, account access, wifi, etc) and disable file-sharing. Consider a burner phone instead of your US smartphone. Encrypt data if possible. (Its often better to put sensitive info on a well hidden small encrypted thumb drive/SD card secured within your checked luggage than saved on your laptop's hard drive or phone's memory -- but I'm just weird like that.)
https://www.eff.org/wp/digital-privacy-us-border-2017
https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/qkvmvq/you-have-no-right-to-electronic-privacy-when-you-cross-the-us-border
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/cbp-search-authority
https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/inspection-electronic-devices-tearsheet.pdf
Contrary to what CBP often claims, you are *not* required to provide them your PIN or password to assist them in searching your electronic devices. However, that tactic might also extend your border delay, especially if they want to get even with you for knowing you are not required to unlock your devices.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/14/business/border-enforcement-airport-phones.html
Digital Privacy at the U.S. Border: Protecting the Data On Your Devices and In the Cloud
by Sophia Cope, Amul Kalia, Seth Schoen, and Adam SchwartzDownload the report as a PDF.EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThe U.S. government reported a five-fold increase in the number of electronic media searches at the border in a single year, from 4,764 in 2015 to 23,877 in 2016.[fn] Gillian Flaccus, Electronic...
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SPC David Willis
I should have been more specific in my post. I would also bring my CAC with me, I was more referencing ACU/Multicam backpacks, military themed shirts, desert boots etc...
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I know his might perhaps sound like a trivially unrelated question, however, I have an interest in such things...what major are you? What is the program in Ireland for, so far as you might care to say? How does it relate to your degree, presumably a bachelors, I'm assuming? Also, are there any possibly simpler CONUS substitutes that might make your finishing your program easier, or is your eagerness to go a matter of personal preference? I only ask that out of curiosity, as I found your problem of interest, as I'd said...obviously, I realize you might not be able to or prefer to not answer any or all of my thought questions, however, I merely ask of, as I hadn't heard quite that scenario asked about on here before, I'd be most eager to hear more, many thanks...interesting question....
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Yes, especially if you have a security clearance. As a USAR or ARNG Soldier, when traveling off duty as a civilian you still need to do almost everything required when traveling on duty as a Soldier. Contact your unit security manager for details. I doubt the DoD FCG for Ireland requires an ISOPREP and I don't think you need a DA 31, but may need to request RST. You will likely require annual Level 1 anti-terrorism training, SERE 100, and annual OPSEC training. Submit a foreign travel memo/form, receive a foreign travel briefing, register your travel dates with State Dept's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), current on all medical immunizations (DoD, EUCOM, US CDC, and Ireland). Definitely need a valid passport. Doubt you'll require EUCOM theater clearance.
Or you just ignore all military travel requirements and hope your next background investigator renewing your security clearance (or fed employment) does not check your passport travel log and discover you traveled abroad without properly reporting it. Again, contact your unit security manager for guidance
Additionally, see if you can get the military to pay for your school (i.e. tuition assistance) You will likely run a debt with SGLI so check on that. Are you in TriCare? How is your medical covered in Ireland? I'd have a plan instead of rolling the dice. What about a phone/internet plan? Carry a credit card and leave the debit card at home (ATM card is okay). Credit cards have far more legal protections, max loss is $50, and often free buyer protections/insurance. Debit cards have few legal protections, fewer overseas, and you can lose more than everything in your account. Have copies of your passport data page available to share instead of handing over your actual passport at commercial establishments. Have an electronic copy on your phone/laptop to assist in obtaining a replacement if your passport is lost.
DoD Foreign Clearance Guide (FCG) https://www.fcg.pentagon.mil
https://command.eucom.mil/J4Home/Pages/MR-FHP.aspx
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/ireland
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/step.html
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Ireland.html
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_recreation/travel_to_ireland/
http://www.eur.army.mil/TravelSafe/
Or you just ignore all military travel requirements and hope your next background investigator renewing your security clearance (or fed employment) does not check your passport travel log and discover you traveled abroad without properly reporting it. Again, contact your unit security manager for guidance
Additionally, see if you can get the military to pay for your school (i.e. tuition assistance) You will likely run a debt with SGLI so check on that. Are you in TriCare? How is your medical covered in Ireland? I'd have a plan instead of rolling the dice. What about a phone/internet plan? Carry a credit card and leave the debit card at home (ATM card is okay). Credit cards have far more legal protections, max loss is $50, and often free buyer protections/insurance. Debit cards have few legal protections, fewer overseas, and you can lose more than everything in your account. Have copies of your passport data page available to share instead of handing over your actual passport at commercial establishments. Have an electronic copy on your phone/laptop to assist in obtaining a replacement if your passport is lost.
DoD Foreign Clearance Guide (FCG) https://www.fcg.pentagon.mil
https://command.eucom.mil/J4Home/Pages/MR-FHP.aspx
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/ireland
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/step.html
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Ireland.html
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_recreation/travel_to_ireland/
http://www.eur.army.mil/TravelSafe/
DoD Electronic Foreign Clearance Guide
If you are on a non-.mil/.gov domain and require access to the site as a DoD employee, US military member, DoD contractor supporting a DoD contract, or for official DoD or government business, please request a username and password from the webmaster at EFCG@leidos.com.
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You need to create an account with the APACS website, notify the nearest embassy or consulate. You need travel clearance from your S2. You need to have approval from your unit. I had a Soldier who went permissive TDY to Ireland for one semester back in 2011, if my memory is correct, he also had something from the ed Center for the GI Bill. Good luck in Ireland.
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Assuming you have a security clearance you also need to submit a foreign travel report through your unit security manager. That covers you in case of future reinvestigations or if any issues were to arise.
V/r
V/r
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SFC (Join to see)
This includes tasks for you to complete before travel and a briefing by your MSC J2. Part of what Sir below is referring to.
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