As global engagement increases for the Department of Defense (DOD) community, so does the potential risk of foreign intelligence targeting. Whether you’re aware of it or not, individuals within the DOD can become targets of foreign intelligence or security services at any time, in any location. However, this risk escalates significantly when traveling abroad. Foreign intelligence services often operate with greater freedom and access outside their own borders, making overseas travel a period of heightened vulnerability. Recognizing this evolving landscape, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) has enhanced its foreign travel briefing program to better safeguard active-duty Air Force personnel and Department of the Air Force civilian employees. This improved program incorporates both pre-brief and de-brief surveys, alongside a more efficient process for reporting foreign travel and securing essential AFOSI foreign travel briefings.
To mitigate these risks effectively, it is mandatory for all personnel undertaking overseas travel to participate in foreign intelligence threat briefings and anti-terrorism briefings provided by AFOSI before departure. But How Often Must You Receive A Defensive Foreign Travel Briefing? The answer lies in understanding the dynamic nature of global threats and the tailored approach AFOSI now employs.
Previously, foreign travel protocols were managed at the installation level, with individual organizations monitoring, reporting, and creating internal guidelines, often including ad-hoc briefings. Special Agent Peter Van Damme explained, “Communicating with these units revealed inconsistencies and a process not fully equipped to handle the volume of foreign travel undertaken by base personnel. Given AFOSI’s mandate to deliver foreign travel pre/de-brief services to protect service members, Air Force technology, and DOD assets, we recognized the need for a more robust and standardized system.”
In response, AFOSI collaborated with Headquarters Air Force to create a user-friendly, web-based interface accessible through the Air Force Portal. This collaborative effort resulted in readily available resources such as an unclassified foreign travel pre-brief slide presentation, unclassified pre-brief survey, unclassified de-brief survey, and the comprehensive AFOSI Foreign Travel Guide, all easily accessible via the Air Force Portal. The portal also provides links to other crucial websites relevant to your travel preparations and safety.
A cornerstone of the enhanced program is the mandatory foreign travel pre-brief survey. Personnel are required to complete this survey every time they travel abroad, detailing each country they plan to visit. The frequency of required briefings is directly tied to the evolving threat landscape. Threats against USAF personnel are constantly changing, and the pre-brief and debrief surveys are crucial tools for AFOSI to analyze data and determine the most appropriate briefing format based on current threat levels associated with specific destinations. This dynamic approach ensures that personnel receive the most relevant and up-to-date defensive foreign travel briefing necessary for their specific travel itinerary.
“These surveys are indispensable for safeguarding Air Force personnel and resources. Completing them before each instance of foreign travel is of utmost importance,” emphasized Van Damme. While the standard is to complete a survey for each trip, exceptions are considered. For instance, personnel with multiple overseas trips within a short period may consolidate multiple locations into a single pre and post survey, streamlining the process while maintaining essential security protocols.
This revamped survey program is fundamentally designed with the safety and security of Air Force members and civilian employees in mind, alongside the protection of critical Air Force technology and resources. Understanding potential threats is the first and most crucial step in effective defense. These surveys empower AFOSI to efficiently and effectively brief personnel based on the most current threat assessments.
For any inquiries or concerns regarding the foreign travel briefing program and how often you need to receive a defensive foreign travel briefing, individuals are encouraged to contact their local AFOSI office for personalized guidance and support.
The new foreign travel program resources can be accessed through the ACC website (http://www.acc.af.mil/index.asp) or directly via the Air Force Portal (https://www.my.af.mil/gcssaf/USAF/ep/globalTab.dochannelPageId=s88B4F00B2D70DF4E012DBE0975FE0BAB) by searching for “foreign travel” in the portal’s search field.
