Nato Travel Order - Any Use At All??
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When I was LO to the French Air Force a couple of years ago, I had to go back to Strike for a meeting. I left my passport at home but got through UK passport control on my 1250 no bother. At Strike, I went straight round to SHQ, got issued a NTO which I presented with my 1250 to the French passport control and was waved through straightaway.
Thing is, I don't know if the NTO really worked or not, 'cause in the EC, we seem to be the only country that really bothers about passports. It's entirely possibly that all the Frenchman wanted to see was some sort of identification.
Thing is, I don't know if the NTO really worked or not, 'cause in the EC, we seem to be the only country that really bothers about passports. It's entirely possibly that all the Frenchman wanted to see was some sort of identification.
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Isn't the point of the NTO to verify one's credentials to be actually on NATO business, in conjunction with one's service ID card? In other words, it validates the use of the service ID for international travel within NATO countries.
I'd guarantee trying to use a MOD90/F1250/Navy whatever at a US POE without the NTO would be fruitless, and result in a) a long trip back and b) difficult questions next time.
As for the "eye scan" and bit of paper to give back, it's a) a photo, and b) a departure record, as it says clearly on it. If you overstay, you are likely to be banned, length of ban varying by length of overstay. Since the departure record is the document that determines whether or not you overstayed, it is a tad important. Of course people genuinely lose them, and don't get screwed, as long as they report it and do the paperwork thing. The airlines won't accept you for travel without one, if you need one.
I'd guarantee trying to use a MOD90/F1250/Navy whatever at a US POE without the NTO would be fruitless, and result in a) a long trip back and b) difficult questions next time.
As for the "eye scan" and bit of paper to give back, it's a) a photo, and b) a departure record, as it says clearly on it. If you overstay, you are likely to be banned, length of ban varying by length of overstay. Since the departure record is the document that determines whether or not you overstayed, it is a tad important. Of course people genuinely lose them, and don't get screwed, as long as they report it and do the paperwork thing. The airlines won't accept you for travel without one, if you need one.
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I visited a B52 base in Georgia - Robbins AFB - in 1982, on NATO business to brief crews on MRR techniques. Flew in on civilian airlines via JFK, then the other NY airport (La Guardia?), Atlanta, Warner-Robbins. This must have been pre-visa days, although I was carrying a valid NTO that I do not recollect showing to anyone.
After a week of intensive training
of the crews (alright, took a couple of days and the remaining time was more usefully filled) , I flew back in a B52H (I think it was a H, tail gunner sat with the rest of the crew up front, but irrelevant to the point) to Fairford. So according to the US system I am still in the country, having overstayed by 24 years.
Subsequently managed to sneak back undetected to Las Vegas for a couple of flagex in the mid-80s, despite going through immigration channels at Washington airport; so maybe the system was not so tight back then, or was I just lucky?
After a week of intensive training
of the crews (alright, took a couple of days and the remaining time was more usefully filled) , I flew back in a B52H (I think it was a H, tail gunner sat with the rest of the crew up front, but irrelevant to the point) to Fairford. So according to the US system I am still in the country, having overstayed by 24 years.Subsequently managed to sneak back undetected to Las Vegas for a couple of flagex in the mid-80s, despite going through immigration channels at Washington airport; so maybe the system was not so tight back then, or was I just lucky?
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K3K3 - Also returned from Tijuana with 6 mates from the Desert Survival Cse very drunk without passports and the NTO got us through.
Mova - I really do worry about you, it is clear that a state education was totally wasted in your case...............
Mova - I really do worry about you, it is clear that a state education was totally wasted in your case...............
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Totally agree with above, passport with NTO sticking out, through empty channel, quick glance from customs, no finger prints/eyescan/questions. 
Wish I could have one for holidays as well as work!
Wish I could have one for holidays as well as work!
Join Date: Jul 2006
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I regularly use my NTO combined with my F1250 for:
1. At Virgin check-in use the Premium Economy desk which is usually quieter. The staff say its because they recognise our need for privacy????
2. On arrival in the US use any queue you want Oh and you won't need the green visia waiver form.
3. When going through the security screening at Washington Dulles flash your NTO and you won't get selected for the full shoes off, body search. When I went through, the supervisor told the searcher to leave me alone as 'He might be carrying'. I was, 2 days dirty washing!!
4. My NTO also got my luggage upgraded to Upper class although I remained in cattle. The girl at the desk said it was the least she could do for the HM Forces. It did mean my bags were off first which combined with para 2 saved loads of time.
All that from a form that you can download off the intranet.
1. At Virgin check-in use the Premium Economy desk which is usually quieter. The staff say its because they recognise our need for privacy????
2. On arrival in the US use any queue you want Oh and you won't need the green visia waiver form.
3. When going through the security screening at Washington Dulles flash your NTO and you won't get selected for the full shoes off, body search. When I went through, the supervisor told the searcher to leave me alone as 'He might be carrying'. I was, 2 days dirty washing!!
4. My NTO also got my luggage upgraded to Upper class although I remained in cattle. The girl at the desk said it was the least she could do for the HM Forces. It did mean my bags were off first which combined with para 2 saved loads of time.
All that from a form that you can download off the intranet.
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Is it that simple?...!
Had to use Tne Nato Order recently,after the professionals at the home office lost my passport in the mail..the only problem i had was actually trying to leave and reentering Heathrow,even after producing my I.D. The good people at U.K border Agency didnt let me down with the lamest question i've ever heard,(how long have you lived here?)
Is it me,or is it they recruit a bunch of morans at these desks? Funny i could enter the U.S on my Army I.d without any problems....
Is it me,or is it they recruit a bunch of morans at these desks? Funny i could enter the U.S on my Army I.d without any problems....
Exactly the same with us. Day trip across the border to Tijuana, never thought about passports. On the way back into USA NATO travel order was all we had, got whisked through the throng trying to get into the USA with no problem at all, so worked well for us.
Last edited by HaveQuick2; 25th Apr 2009 at 10:23. Reason: Spelling, thumbs faster than brain!
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I've a sneaking feeling the NTO works well in/around US facilities because Americans equate it to 'orders' - their official tasking letter to go somewhere and do something - so whether you're after a room in the Ramstein Inn, or arriving at Newark Intl, they think you're on official business and therefore afford the holder some priority.
I'm sure in many other places it's not worth the paper it's written on...
I'm sure in many other places it's not worth the paper it's written on...
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I've used a NTO various times to get in and out of Cyprus/Italy/USA.... but the only time I have had a problem has been at Heathrow, when they took 40 minutes and half a dozen phone calls before they let me in to the UK! After that my boss paid for a passport out of the section fund.
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Be warned though - we were informed that a NTO would mean you don't have to enrol in the ESTA programme when flying to the states, even civvy. However, when just flying via LAX Air NZ couldn't print a boarding pass without the ESTA number, regardless of me showing them the NTO and ID - I had to go online and do all the mickey mouse questionnaire to get the number before they'd let me board! 
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Slightly off topic, but it would be even better if the ESTA system was up and running, last month flying LHR to LAX after producing the ESTA number was told to fill out the green I-94 as the ESTA system was still not in use.
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^^I had to do the same last week. Bit annoyed as I had already filled it in online and been approved... apparently the system will be up and running paper free soon. Luckily they'd informed us this would be the case so didn't lose my space in the line or anything.
Any more gen on the A2 visa? Do you have to be on 'business' or has the MOD got some deal going with the US?
Any more gen on the A2 visa? Do you have to be on 'business' or has the MOD got some deal going with the US?
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Yes its a very useful document even though you can print it out yourself - has to be accompanied by a F1250 or F90 for the brown-jobs to make it valid.
As well as USA it gets you in to Turkey without paying the £10 for a visa at the entry port which normal EU peeps have to fork out for. I've also used one on BA from LHR to Frankfurt when my passport was away getting visa'd up for a different trip and for entry to Romania when arriving by Crab-Air.
Top tip for US trips (or visits to US bases in Germany et al) make sure you have a specific NTO for the duration of the trip and that it specifies the locations you're visiting. Blanket orders such as All Countries, All Borders and valid for a year (all perfectly kosher elsewhere) don't cut so much ice with The Cousins - all akin to US Mil Orders as has been mentioned.
As well as USA it gets you in to Turkey without paying the £10 for a visa at the entry port which normal EU peeps have to fork out for. I've also used one on BA from LHR to Frankfurt when my passport was away getting visa'd up for a different trip and for entry to Romania when arriving by Crab-Air.
Top tip for US trips (or visits to US bases in Germany et al) make sure you have a specific NTO for the duration of the trip and that it specifies the locations you're visiting. Blanket orders such as All Countries, All Borders and valid for a year (all perfectly kosher elsewhere) don't cut so much ice with The Cousins - all akin to US Mil Orders as has been mentioned.
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A wise word of caution:
I went through the fast channel at Washington once with ID and NTO and the officer asked if I had a passport too? I replied yes and he asked to see it. Once handed over he promptly stamped it with his immigration stamp and then wrote in big blue pen NATO right across it.
Interestingly I have used the NTO in this way about 20 times and he was the only one to ask and I have never had a problem getting through.
I went through the fast channel at Washington once with ID and NTO and the officer asked if I had a passport too? I replied yes and he asked to see it. Once handed over he promptly stamped it with his immigration stamp and then wrote in big blue pen NATO right across it.
Interestingly I have used the NTO in this way about 20 times and he was the only one to ask and I have never had a problem getting through.
A Flt Cdr on a large aircraft squadron (ex-F4 pilot, who went by the nickname 'Thrombo' or 'AWF' - you would have known him at WTM, Impiger), got himself all wound up and hot under the collar at a squadron meeting once about how important the NTO was and the dire penalties which one would face were it to be lost. After several minutes of this nonsense, a Wise Old Air Engineer interrupted by saying "In that case, Sir, perhaps we'd better take a few spares in the imprest pack-up whenever we go away!".
Collapse of self-important personage!
Another of his paranoias was people using the Sqn Ops direct line for private phone calls. To the extent that he demanded that the phone was to be locked up after working hours, in case those nasty,oily groundcrew people used it....
One day the boss landed late and went to use the phone. Finding it missing he asked "What silly bugger has pinched the phone?". Having been told, he said "Well, plug another one in then - I will be in the deep and smelly if I don't tell my wife that I'm going to be late!"
It seemed that 'Thrombo' had no idea that the phones were fitted with new-style BT plugs and sockets - and had been for some time...
NTOs - only really of any use to placate Spams who need written 'orders' for everything they do (including going for a dump, probably) and can't understand that the RAF doesn't.....
Collapse of self-important personage!
Another of his paranoias was people using the Sqn Ops direct line for private phone calls. To the extent that he demanded that the phone was to be locked up after working hours, in case those nasty,oily groundcrew people used it....
One day the boss landed late and went to use the phone. Finding it missing he asked "What silly bugger has pinched the phone?". Having been told, he said "Well, plug another one in then - I will be in the deep and smelly if I don't tell my wife that I'm going to be late!"
It seemed that 'Thrombo' had no idea that the phones were fitted with new-style BT plugs and sockets - and had been for some time...
NTOs - only really of any use to placate Spams who need written 'orders' for everything they do (including going for a dump, probably) and can't understand that the RAF doesn't.....
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Had to use one once, as a civilian, asked to go to he Azores at very short notice, ( I happened to be on a tasking in Glasgow at the time, so was nearest to my point of departure).
Not sure if it did any good, but the det commander used to wave it as we went on and off the base, if we were challenged, as my passport was in my desk in London !
Not sure if it did any good, but the det commander used to wave it as we went on and off the base, if we were challenged, as my passport was in my desk in London !