Doc Jargon: Sometimes a little Space-A is just what the Doc recommends

Photo By Collen McGee | Doc Jargon, cutting through the jargon that is the U.S. Army.  

FORT RILEY, KANSAS, UNITED STATES

03.03.2023

Story by Collen McGee 

Fort Riley Public Affairs Office

Dear Doc Jargon,

My husband just came home and told me we have a benefit from his military service that he just learned about. He said we could fly Space-A. He was so animated and talking about the places we could go when he gets leave that I didn’t have the heart to interrupt the flow of excitement to ask what Space-A was. I know it isn’t something from the new Space Force that the White House is talking about. Just kidding. But I am curious as to what it is and how it works.

Sincerely,
Not Spacing

Dear Not Spacing,

Ha! Yes – you are right! Space-A is not something connected to the Space Force branch. The term stands for space available and it means if there is a seat on an aircraft operated by the military or contracted by the military, then military members and their families may use those seats at a low or sometimes at no fee.

There are some rules and restrictions and there are six categories of travel based on the military member’s status. Although the Air Force operates the majority of the flights available for Space-A travel, the Navy and the Army also have a few seats on their aircraft. The best way to find those seats is to visit either the official webpage or the Facebook page of the travel terminal you are hoping to travel out of. Most of those post a schedule of expected flights for the following 72-hour period.

The trick is to be flexible. That isn’t always easy when you are on a deadline for your leave. But if you are open-minded and prepared, the adventure could be worth it.

For more information on how to use this benefit, visit www.amc.af.mil/Home/AMC-Travel-Site/. This site lists the major air travel terminals operated by the Air Force. For Naval Air Stations, search those individually.

So, if you aren’t spacing yet, check it out, you might want to start – Space-A-ing that is.

Sincerely,
Doc Jargon

• Date Taken: 03.03.2023
• Date Posted: 03.02.2023 16:28
• Story ID: 439595
• Location: FORT RILEY, KANSAS, US