Free TSA PreCheck® for Uniformed Service Members and DOD Civilians

No, TSA PreCheck® benefits do not extend to non-DOD affiliated military adult dependents age 18 and over.  Be sure to enroll here for TSA PreCheck® benefits. Note: Also check Credit Cards and Loyalty Programs featuring TSA PreCheck® here for eligible credit cards and loyalty rewards programs featuring fee reimbursement.

Firearms, ammunition, and firearm parts are prohibited in carry-on baggage and may be transported in checked baggage only. If you have just returned from overseas duty or any assignment where you carried a firearm or ammunition, check your carry-on bag and other belongings to ensure firearms, parts, and ammunition are not present. Contact AskTSA or TSA Contact Center with questions you have regarding TSA firearm regulations and for clarification on what you may or may not transport in your carry-on or checked baggage. 

• Rules for individually transporting firearms and ammunition. 
• Rules for transporting sharp objects and tool. 
• List of prohibited hazardous materials. 

Yes. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces and DOD Federal civilians can use TSA PreCheck® benefits for both official and personal travel. Be sure to update all travel reservations with your DOD ID number listed as the Known Traveler Number (KTN)  to enjoy benefits. The KTN also can be added when booking reservations online via a participating airline website, by phone with an airline reservation agent or with the travel management company making reservations. Save your KTN to any frequent flyer profiles, employer booking systems or online travel websites that you use.

Yes. Cadets and midshipmen of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, and U.S. Coast Guard Academy receive free TSA PreCheck® benefits. Add your DOD ID number in the "Known Traveler Number" (KTN) field when booking flight reservations.

No. All members of the U.S. Armed Forces must include their DOD ID number in the Known Traveler Number field when making flight reservations and a TSA PreCheck® indicator must be visible on your boarding pass. The airlines will print a TSA PreCheck® indicator (such as TSAPRECHK, TSA PRE, or TSA PreCheck®) on boarding passes to help you recognize when you are eligible for TSA PreCheck® on your flight.

You cannot access the TSA PreCheck® lane by presenting your CAC or other documentation.

Yes, U.S. citizens and/or lawful permanent resident cadets and students of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and six State Maritime Academies are eligible to receive free TSA PreCheck benefits through the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program.  Students enrolled at these academies are eligible to enroll for TWIC, and most U.S. Merchant Mariners are required to maintain a valid TWIC to obtain their Merchant Mariner Credential. When making an airline reservation, enter the Credential Identification Number (CIN) which is the eight-digit number printed under the bottom left of the barcode on the back of the TWIC® card in the Known Traveler Number (KTN) field. For cardholders with the newest version of the TWIC card, the CIN is also embossed on the front of the card.

No, TSA PreCheck® benefits do not continue after leaving DOD.  Be sure to enroll upon retirement or leaving DOD to continue enjoying TSA PreCheck® benefits.

DOD federal civilian employees must opt-in to TSA PreCheck® at the ID Card Office Online. After selecting the "My Profile" and the "CIV" menu tab when logged into the website, users will be guided through the opt-in process for TSA PreCheck. Civilian employees need to opt-in only once. For more information about TSA PreCheck for DOD Civilian employees, please visit milConnect. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces do not need to opt-in.

Enter the DOD ID number from the back of your common access card (CAC) into the “Known Traveler Number” field of your flight reservations or when updating your Defense Travel System profile for official travel.

DOD federal civilian employees must opt-in via milConnect before using their Known Traveler Number.  

Inform the TSA officer that you have a metal implant or medical device.  If you have been issued a boarding pass with the TSA PreCheck indicator, you may request Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) screening, if available. Requesting AIT screening through a TSA officer, PRIOR to going through the walkthrough metal detector, may enable you to keep your shoes on throughout the screening process.  Individuals with an internal medical device such as a pacemaker should not be screened by a walk-through metal detector. Consult with your physician prior to flying.  If you choose not to be screened through the Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT), or a walk-through metal detector (WTMD), you will undergo a pat-down screening.

Click here for more information about special procedures for persons with disabilities or medical conditions.

• The unit must declare weapons and ammunition to the aircraft operator. 
• Weapons must be unloaded. 
• Weapons must be collectively secured in a crate and banded or individually locked in a hard-sided case. 
• Ammunition must also be securely packed in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes, or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. 
• Firearm magazines/clips for packing ammunition must be completely and securely enclosing any ammunition (e.g., by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder or holster). 
• You may carry ammunition in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, if you pack it as described above. 
• A unit representative must submit the unit's official travel orders and an inventory of weapons and ammunition being transported. 
• The unit representative must certify to TSA in writing that the weapons are unloaded. 
• Contact us through X (Twitter @AskTSA), Facebook Messenger (http://www.fb.com/AskTSA), Apple Business Chat or by texting "Travel" to AskTSA (275-872). You can also contact the TSA Contact Center at (866) 289-9673 or fill out an online form with questions you have regarding TSA firearm regulations and for clarification on what you may or may not transport in your carry-on or checked baggage.