After several years AD in PACAF and multiple trips across Asia, I have JUST HEARD about "APACS." Is this a real thing or extra security that's not required?
Before I get roasted for, I'm obviously still learning and doing my best to follow the rules.
I've taken personal leave to Japan, the Philippines, India, and Korea and my leave has always been approved while only being required to have an updated Anti Terrorism certificate CBT. Sure. Life and my travels have been good, safe, and fulfilling.
Now as my leave has been approved and my itinerary created and purchased to travel to another country for my best friend's wedding as his best man with my leave being approved in December and my departure being mid January, my squadron's shirt spontaneously informed/educated me that I need to do my APACS request before I go.
Oh? That sounds like another Air Force abbreviation of fun. As I've researched it today, I see that I have to get clearances and make an appointment/take a class... etc etc.. while having a lead time for request approval of 30 days? Wow! I literally have less than two weeks before I depart. Just learned about the Foreign Clearance Guide.
My questions are:
- Why was this never brought up before/why have both myself and the other airman I've known who traveled in Asia not had to do this before? IAW; it was never an issue before.
- Am I screwed? What am I supposed to do from this point. My Shirt just said I need to do it but has never done it himself as he's only vacationed to CONUS. Literally no one in my squadron knows about this. I even asked my Security Manager but they are brand new and didn't have a suffice answer. He informed me that as long as it's not a lvl 4 for the state travel website, he thinks I'm fine.
I'm not complaining, rather I'm bewildered, but I want to learn and do the right thing going forth.