In an effort to ease the transition of families and their pets. The Passenger Travel Office has published the Pet Data Call.
PASSENGER TRAVEL OFFICE
The Passenger Travel Office (PTO) is committed to providing excellent customer service for all Permanent Change of Station (PCS), Separations, Retirements, and Temporary Additional Duty (TAD) travel needs for service members and Department of Defense (DOD) civilians.
TRAVEL FORMS
PASSENGER RESERVATION REQUEST FORM
COST COMPARISON REQUEST FORM
INCENTIVE PORT CALL REQUEST FORM
PETS TRACKER FORM
Hours of Operation:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 0730 - 1130, 1300 - 1630 (Closed 1130-1300)
Thursday 0730 - 1130, 1300 - 1630 (Closed for Training)
Location:
Camp Foster Bldg. 495, Rm 201
Camp Courtney Bldg. 4311 (TAD ONLY)
Contact Info:
DSN: (315)645-5330
COMM: 098-970-5555 ext. 645-5330
EMAIL: MCBBUTLERPTOFOSTER@USMC.MIL
Afterhours EMERGENCY LEAVE ONLY: 090-6861-4290
Upon receipt of PCS, Separation, or Retirement orders, uniformed members/DOD civilians and their command-sponsored dependents are authorized government transportation to the following locations:
Permanent Change of Station
- New Permanent Duty Station (PDS)
- Port of Debarkation (Seattle, WA) (POD) (AMC-PE ONLY)
- Designated Place (Official Orders)
- Vehicle Processing Center (VPC)
Separation
- Separation Site (Camp Pendleton or Camp Lejeune)
- Alternate Separation Site (Approval Required)
On-Island Separation
Retirement
- Home of Selection (HOS)
- Port of Debarkation (Seattle, WA) (POD) (AMC-PE ONLY)
Outbound Procedure
AMC Patriot Express is available in 90-day increments (i.e., October is available in July), hence the PTO can make AMC-PE reservations 90 days prior projected departure date. CWT SATO Travel will make reservation for all commercial travel at the latest of 21 days prior departure.
(MARINES ONLY PCS/SEP/RET)
- The process begins by completing your Outbound Interview (OBI) via Marine Online (MOL).
- Your unit's administration section (S or G Shops) then reviews the OBI and forwards it to the Installation Personnel Administration Center (IPAC).
- IPAC will review your request and generate a Port-Call Request for you and your command-sponsored dependents.
- PTO will procure government transportation based on availability and the requested departure window.
- Air Mobility Command Patriot Express (AMC-PE) is mandated for all DoD Personnel departing Okinawa, Japan, as the primary method of travel.
- Per the DTR Part I, Chapter 103, Para. J, In-lap passengers are not authorized on AMC flights. All passengers, to include infants and small children, will occupy a separate seat.
- PTO will book AMC-PE first. If AMC-PE is not available, PTO will issue a non-availability letter and proceed to book flights departing Okinawa, Japan, via commercial carriers.
- PTO will proceed to return all booked tickets to the IPAC and complete the Port-Call Request process.
(DOD CIVILIAN AND NAVY PCS/SEPS/RET UNDER MARINE CORPS COMMAND)
- Provide a copy of PCS, Separating, or Retirement orders to the PTO Office.
- PTO will provide the traveler with a Passenger Reservation Request (PRR) to begin the booking/ticketing process.
- PTO will procure government transportation based on availability and the requested departure window.
- Air Mobility Command Patriot Express (AMC-PE) is mandated for all DoD Personnel departing Okinawa, Japan, as the primary method of travel.
- Per the DTR Part I, Chapter 103, Para. J, In-lap passengers are not authorized on AMC flights. All passengers, to include infants and small children, will occupy a separate seat.
- PTO will book AMC-PE first. If AMC-PE is not available, PTO will issue a non-availability letter and proceed to book flights departing Okinawa, Japan, via commercial carriers.
- Once reservations have been made, PTO will email the traveler with all bookings and tickets.
Circuitous Travel - CMC MMIB-3 must approve this request for the transoceanic portion of the PCS travel. Travelers can use CTO for travel arrangements or self-procure if the Government Travel Rate is not exceeded. PTO will provide a cost comparison letter showcasing authorized travel locations. TMC will attempt to book your requested travel itinerary. If TMC is unable to assist in procuring your itinerary, TMC will provide you with the "TMC Non-availability letter." That letter will then authorize you to procure your itinerary using a U.S. flag carrier.
Ticket Exchanges - This request can be made directly with the PTO to exchange an already issued government ticket to a leisure ticket. This request must be submitted to the PTO 20 days before departure. Know that the PTO is limited on which airlines to use dependent on the desired location and must follow the Fly America Act. Requests that are submitted inside the 20 days will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and dependent on the CTO workload. Travelers may contact the airlines directly to make exchanges.
Procuring Leisure Airfare Travel
Travelers are now authorized to self-procure leisure airline tickets through their servicing Travel Management Company (TMC) using any U.S. flag carrier and are responsible for all up-front out-of-pocket expenses. Travelers will be reimbursed to the government's cost of normal direct point-to-point routing for official travel. All offsetting expenses will be reconciled and reimbursed through the PCS travel claim process. Per MARADMIN 470/23.
Traveling with Pets
Passengers traveling under PCS orders may be allowed to ship their pets at their own expense and are limited to two pets per family. Pets are dogs and cats only. Other animals, such as horses, fish, birds, rodents, ferrets, spiders, and reptiles, are excluded as pets under this authority because of their size, exotic nature, shipping restrictions, host-nation restrictions, or special handling difficulties that pose unavoidable safety or public health concerns. Passengers who desire to ship pets from Okinawa must have the request for pet shipment annotated in their Port-Call Request. PTO will make every effort to get reservations on AMC-PE. PTO will attempt to book pets via commercial carriers if pets spots are not available on AMC-PE. Pet + kennel weighing >150 lbs. will not be accepted for shipment.
In-Cabin Pets
In-Cabin pet kennels/carriers are treated like carry-on baggage and will be stowed under the passenger seat in front of you, and pets must remain in container for the duration of the flight. Passengers are responsible for providing an authorized kennel/carrier and ensuring your pet is transported in accordance with International Air Transport Association (IATA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines. Kennel size must not exceed 18 "L x 11" W x 10.5" H to ensure it will fit under the seat in front of you.
In-Belly Pets
In-Belly pet Kennels must be large enough for your pet to stand up, turn around, and lie down with normal posture and body movement. Pets will not be accepted if containers are too small. The maximum kennel size is 48” L x 32” W x 35” H. Plastic/nylon slides, clips, or screws/bolts are not authorized. The combined weight of your pet and kennel will not exceed 150 pounds.
Pet Travel Fees AMC-PE FY24
Fees are charged on a per-kennel/per-mission basis depending on the combined weight (pet + kennel)
- The combined weight of ≤70 lbs. will be charged $125 (one piece of excess baggage)
- The combined weight of 71-140 lbs. will be charged $250 (two pieces of excess baggage)
- The combined weight of 141-150 lbs. will be charged $375 (three pieces of excess baggage)
1 January 2024: New Reimbursement for Pet Travel Fees
- 2024 brings a new entitlement for personnel with pets during a PCS move. Service members and families may now submit associated expenses for reimbursement during their PCS voucher process. The entitlement is for only one pet (dog or cat) and is limited to $2,000 for an overseas move or $550 for movement within the United States. Travelers using AMC Patriot Express missions will receive a memo receipt for pet travel fees. Please ensure you receive a receipt for your pet's travel fees during check-in for your flight.
- For guidance on pet expense reimbursement due to a PCS, refer to the Joint Travel Regulations, Chapter 5, Part A, Paragraph 050107.
***Orders are not required to reserve a PET SPOT***
Pet Tracker Form Location: https://www.mcbbutler.marines.mil/Portals/189/PETS%20TRACKER%20FORM.pdf?ver=Pd8z7mcePiwCW1zxzVcXMg%3d%3d
Required paperwork includes:
- DD form 2209 United States Health Certificate (no more than ten days of departure)
- Vaccination records (can be more than 30 days but less than a year)
- Okinawa Inspection Certificate from the Okinawa Animal Quarantine Office: Must obtain from the QIA office at the Naha International airport.
CDC-INFO Update current as of 01 August 2024 Traveling with dogs
https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dogs.html --- Dog bot
https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/approved-labs.html - approved serology labs
https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/approved-care-facilities.html - approved CDC care facilities
Okinawa Veterinary Clinic notes:
- Dogs treated/vaccinated on-base, Okinawa VETAC will endorse the certificate
- Dogs treated/vaccinated off-base, Animal Quarantine Services in Naha will endorse for a fee
- Dogs that have been in Japan/Okinawa for more than 6 months (with records) or has the rabies endorsed, FAVN test not required
Contact: DSN 315-630-3990 or email usarmy.zama.medcom-ph-p.mbx.vra-j-okinawa-vetac@health.mil
Pet Shipment on Commercial Air
When the service member receives a commercial ticket, the PTO office will confirm the pet for the Okinawa - Mainland Japan portion. Member is responsible for confirming the pets from Mainland Japan to the destination. The service member will be responsible for all costs associated with pet transportation.
Pet Heat Embargo
Commercial airlines may not allow you to transport your pet in the cargo department from May through September. This restriction is because the heat on the tarmac can heat up the cargo hold quickly. Additionally, many airlines do not have air-conditioned holding areas for pets. This causes a risk to your pet when it is on the ground, not when the aircraft is in the air. Finally, most airlines will not accept pets flying in the cargo hold when the current or forecasted temperature at the arrival, layover or departure airport is above 84°F (29°C) at any location on the itinerary (the limit for snub-nosed dogs and snub-nosed cats is 75°F)
For more in depth information on the Air Mobility Command pet travel requirements please visit their website at: https://www.amc.af.mil/AMC-Travel-Site/AMC-Pet-Travel-Page/
Incentive Travel
Consecutive Overseas Tour (COT)
Current PDS to HOR – HOR to new PDS
In-place Consecutive Overseas travel (IPCOT)
Round Trip ticket from current PDS to HOR
Tour Conversion
Dependents travel from HOR to current PDS
Overseas Tour Extension Incentive Program (OTEIP)
Round trip ticket from current PDS to POE (Seattle)
Renewal Agreement Travel (RAT)
Round trip ticket from current PDS to HOR
For more information on what is required for travel please email MCBBUTLERPTOFOSTER@USMC.MIL
Temporary Additional Duty (TAD)
All TAD travel requests must be submitted electronically via Defense Travel System (DTS) and through Commercial Travel Office (CTO) for booking and ticketing. The PTO will perform an audit as a reviewer of the data submitted, ensuring all travel arrangements are prepared correctly. Verification of airfares is mandatory, and the final review is by the Approving Official (AO). Air Mobility Command Patriot Express (AMC-PE) is mandated for all DoD Personnel departing Okinawa, Japan as the primary method of travel.
Emergency Leave
Command-funded emergency leave must be submitted electronically via DTS and through CTO for booking and ticketing. PTO does not determine whether or not a service member is entitled to emergency leave. However, the service member is authorized to travel from the current PDS to:
- The international airport in the CONUS closest* to the location from which the service member or dependent departed and to which air transportation is available along a normally traveled international route. This is the only criterion for the cost limit to be used for transportation to another airport.
- Any airport in the CONUS that is closer to the service member’s or dependent's destination if the transportation cost is less than the transportation cost to the international airport closest* to the location from which he or she departed and to which air transportation is available along a normally traveled international route.
*The closest port of entry in the CONUS is the standard of measure for determining the cost limitation.
Space Available Travel
For question about Space A please contact
733d Air Mobility Squadron Kadena AB, Japan 96368
Service Counter: DSN 632-6487 Commercial: 011-81-611-732-6487
Fax: DSN 634-4221 Commercial: 011-81-611-734-4221
E-Mail: 733ams.space-available@us.af.mil
Hours of Operation: Monday - Sunday 0600 to 2200, Saturday PE Mission Check-in 0230-0600