Move & travel while on active US military service?

While you are actively serving in the military can you move across seas? What about when you are inactive?

Also, i think you can, but can you also just travel out of the country? These questions are for the U.S. military. Thanks.


ok thanks. Im just wondering for someone that would be coming with me. Im not in the military. Or I would know... maybe. haha

You can move across seas when you are going to PCS there on base or the vicinity! But if you are going to be inactive, no! You wouldn't qualify for 'area clearance' until your time of obligated service (TOS) is up!

Active Military can move overseas only when directed by the military. Active Military can travel overseas only when travel (Leave Form stating place of Travel) is approved by the Commander.

Inactive Military: Do you mean Inactive Ready Reserves (IRR where Soldiers are transferred until they complete the Military Service Obligation of 8 years? or the National Guard/Reserves?)

IRR: Can move only if Commander is kept informed.
National Guard: Cannot move overseas, but can move within states with Command and State level approval. Coordination must be done within the losing and gaining states.
Reserves: Can move within the States as long as approval from Commander's is obtained.

IRR: Can move overseas.
National Guard/Reserves: Cannot move overseas.

I spent over 20 years in the U.S. Navy. I was stationed in 3 countries (2 of those countries...Japan & Sardinia... my family was with me), and I visited over 30 (some more than once). I've been as far North as Nova Scotia, as far West as Thailand, as far East as Pakistan, and as far South as Antarctica (13 months there).
My brother did 20 years in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany (2 times) and Korea (2 times), plus several places around the U.S.
When you are on leave, you're eligible for what's called Space Available flights overseas (risky due to time restraints). If you travel overseas while on leave, it's best to have a round trip flight arranged.
You can also go on leave while stationed overseas (which I did several times).