Airports' Military Order Verification: What's The Process?

Military personnel and their families are often eligible for expedited screening at airports. However, it is not always clear how airports verify military orders. While some sources suggest that military ID is sufficient, others claim that a letter from a doctor is required. In some cases, military orders may be printed at home and could potentially be forged. This raises questions about the effectiveness of current verification methods and the potential security risks involved.

TSA verifies military ID

The TSA can and will verify military ID. This includes checking the status of individuals identifying themselves as 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 experience expedited screening procedures. Veterans who are not enrolled in TSA PreCheck will be screened in standard screening lanes.

TSA PreCheck is also available at small satellite airports and airports close to military bases. However, some people have expressed concerns about the ease of forging military orders, which are often just a PDF printed at home with a DOD seal at the top.

Military orders can be easily faked

In small satellite airports, military personnel may be asked to prove that they are flying on orders to check bags, but in big metro airports, this is unlikely to happen. If the airport is close to anything related to the military, they are more likely to be familiar with the process and will even do the TSA pre-check.

The new expedited screening for military and their family members is limited to folks in uniform, on active duty, travelling with orders. TSA suggests letters from doctors, but these are often ignored at the checkpoint.

TSA PreCheck for wounded warriors

Veterans who are not enrolled in TSA PreCheck will be screened in standard screening lanes. It is important to note that the new expedited screening for military and their family members is limited to those in uniform, on active duty, and travelling with orders. While TSA can verify military ID, some individuals have expressed concerns about the ease of forging military orders, which are often just PDFs printed at home with a DOD seal. However, in practice, TSA PreCheck for wounded warriors may be more readily available at smaller satellite airports with close proximity to military installations, as these airports are more familiar with the process.

Expedited screening for military in uniform

Military orders are verified by the TSA, who will check military ID. However, this is not always the case, as some airports will not ask to see military ID. Military personnel who are injured or veterans can request assistance and will be given expedited screening. This is also the case for those in uniform, on active duty, and travelling with orders.

Military orders are not always checked

It seems that the likelihood of military orders being checked depends on the airport. One source suggests that military orders are more likely to be checked at small satellite airports than at large metro airports. Additionally, if the airport is close to anything related to the military, such as a depot or a garrison, the TSA may be more likely to pre-check military personnel.

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