## Department Of Defense Instruction


NUMBER 5525.14
March 22, 2011
Incorporating Change 4, Effective October 1, 2020


## Usd(I&S)

 SUBJECT: DoD Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) Flying Armed

References: See Enclosure 1
1.  PURPOSE.  In accordance with the authority in DoD Directive 5143.01 (Reference (a)) and June 29, 2018 Deputy Secretary of Defense approval of the Under Secretaries of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and Intelligence Memorandum (Reference (b)), this Instruction establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes procedures for DoD LEOs flying armed (LEOFAs) aboard commercial aircraft in accordance with the guidance in section 1544.219 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) (Reference (c)). 2.  APPLICABILITY.  This Instruction:
a.  Applies to:

(1)  OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the DoD (IG DoD), the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other organizational entities within the DoD (hereafter referred to collectively as the "DoD Components").


(2)  DoD Component LEOs as defined in the Glossary.


(3)  Flight on commercial aircraft.

b.  Does NOT apply to DoD personnel not considered to be DoD Component LEOs or Federal LEOs and not authorized to fly armed:

(1)  Security officers (military and civilian in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management Handbook of Occupational Groups and Families, GS 0080 series (Reference (d)) or Civilian Security Guards (GS 0085 series of Reference (d)).


(2)  Antiterrorism and force protection officers (military and civilian security officers, in accordance with GS 0080 series of Reference (d)).



(3)  Counterintelligence officers who are not also DoD Component LEOs.


(4)  Corrections specialists who are not LEOs in the DoD as defined in the Glossary. 3.  DEFINITIONS.  See Glossary. 4.  POLICY.  It is DoD policy that:
a.  DoD Component LEOs shall only fly armed on commercial aircraft when there is a need to have their weapons accessible from the time that they would otherwise check the weapons until the time they would be claimed after deplaning.

b.  The need to have a weapon accessible shall be authorized for the following categories of DoD Component LEOs, under Reference (a):

(1)  Protective duty, in accordance with DoD Instruction O-2000.22 (Reference (e)).


(2)  Official travel required to report to another location, armed and prepared for duty.


(3)  Employment as a DoD Component LEO, whether or not on official travel, and armed in accordance with an agency policy governing that type of travel, established by the employing agency by directive or policy statement.


(4)  Prisoner escort in accordance with section 1544.221 of Reference (c), or on a round trip ticket returning from escorting, or traveling to pick up a prisoner.


(5)  The conduct of surveillance operations.

c.  DoD Component LEOs must:

(1)  Successfully complete the Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS), Federal Law Enforcement Officer Flying Armed (FLEOA) Training Program in order to be qualified to fly armed on commercial aircraft, in accordance with the procedures in this Instruction.


(2)  Meet all other Transportation Security Administration (TSA)/FAMS procedural requirements, as described in Enclosure 3 of this Instruction.

d.  DoD law enforcement agencies and entities shall meet commercial air carrier requirements when such requirements exceed Federal standards.

5.  RESPONSIBILITIES.  See Enclosure 2.

Clifford L. Stanley Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness 6.  PROCEDURES.  See Enclosure 3 for flying armed procedures.  See Enclosure 4 for prisoner escort procedures. 7.  INFORMATION COLLECTIONS.  DD Form 2708, "Receipt for Inmate or Detained Person," referred to in Paragraph 6.c.(1) Enclosure 4 of this issuance, does not require licensing with a report control symbol in accordance with Paragraphs 1.b.(1) and 1.b.(13) of Volume 1 of DoD Manual 8910.01 (Reference (f)).

8.  RELEASABILITY.  **Cleared for public release.**  This Instruction is available on the Directives Division Website at https://www.esd.whs.mil/DD/. 9.  SUMMARY OF CHANGE 4. This administrative change updates the title of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence to the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security in accordance with Public Law 116-92 (Reference(k)). 10.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Instruction is effective March 22, 2011.

Change 2 Approved by:

Joseph D. Kernan Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Enclosures
1.  References

2.  Responsibilities

3.  Flying Armed Procedures

4.  Prisoner Escort Procedures Glossary

## Enclosure 1 References


(a) DoD Directive 5143.01, "Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security
(USD(I&S))," October 24, 2014, as amended
(b) Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and Under Secretary of Defense
for Intelligence Memorandum, "DoD Directive 5525.IC, Protection of Buildings, Grounds,
Property, and Persons, and Implementation of Section 2672 of Title 10, United States
Code," May 21, 20181
(c) Sections 1544.219 and 1544.221 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (d) U.S. Office of Personnel Management, "Handbook of Occupational Groups and Families,"
May 2009
(e) DoD Instruction O-2000.22, "Designation and Physical Protection of DoD High-Risk
Personnel," June 19, 2014, as amended
(f)
DoD Manual 8910.01, Volume 1, "DoD Information Collections Manual: Procedures for
DoD Internal Information Collections," June 30, 2014, as amended
(g) DoD Directive 5210.56, "Arming and the Use of Force," Novemeber 18, 2016 (h) Chapter 47 of title 10, United States Code (also known and referred to in this Instruction as
"The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)"
(i)
DoD Instruction 1325.02, "Desertion and Unauthorized Absence (UA)," November 16,
2012, as amended
(j)
DoD 7000.14-R, Volume 7A, Chapter 29, "Department of Defense Financial Management
Regulation (FMR):  Military Pay Policy - Active Duty and Reserve Pay - Clothing
Monetary Allowances," current edition
(k) Public Law 116-92, "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020,"
December 20, 2019


## Enclosure 2 Responsibilities

 1.  UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY (USD(I&S)).  The USD(I&S) shall:
a.  Develop policy and provide guidance for DoD Component LEOFAs.


b.  Act as DoD lead agent for interagency coordination on FLEOFA.
c.  Monitor compliance with this Instruction.


2.  IG DoD.  The IG DoD shall monitor compliance with this Instruction as it relates to the Defense Criminal Investigative Organizations (DCIOs). 3.  GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.  The General Counsel of the Department of Defense shall provide advice and assistance on all legal matters, including the review and coordination on all proposed policies, DoD issuances, and proposed exceptions to the DoD policies regarding DoD LEOFAs. 4.  HEADS OF THE DoD COMPONENTS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.  The Heads of the DoD Components with law enforcement agencies shall:
a.  Ensure compliance with this Instruction.

b.  Publish implementing regulations for their respective Component for the management of all FLEOFA procedures.

c.  Ensure that DoD Component LEOs (except those in DCIOs) are armed in accordance with DoD Directive 5210.56 (Reference (g)) and that DCIO LEOs are armed in accordance with their agency's authorities, policies, and rules.

d.  Ensure adherence to these procedures and the establishment, administration, deployment, and utilization of their Component's armed escort teams (AETs).

e.  Provide requests for exceptions to this Instruction to the USD(I&S) if they are other than a Secretary of a Military Department.  Secretaries of the Military Departments are authorized to approve such exceptions for law enforcement agencies within their Departments.

f.  Coordinate with the FAMS to establish a unique Federal agency number (UFAN).

5.  SECRETARIES OF THE MILITARY DEPARTMENTS.  The Secretaries of the Military Departments, in addition to the responsibilities in section 4 of this enclosure, shall act as approval authority for all law enforcement personnel flying armed on commercial aircraft under the authority of their respective Military Departments.


## Enclosure 3 Flying Armed Procedures

 1.  UFAN PROGRAM
a.  The TSA will issue a specific alpha-numeric UFAN for each Federal law enforcement agency or entity or other organization, including those performing personnel security detail
(PSD) missions, as approved by the TSA.  This number will be known only to the respective agency and TSA.  This identifier will be verified at the airport LEO checkpoint prior to granting the DoD Component LEO or other authorized personnel access to the sterile area for the purpose of flying armed.


b.  For security purposes, the UFAN will be changed periodically; upon compromise, by either TSA or agency/entity request; or when requested by the agency/entity.

c.  The TSA will provide authorized agency/entity recipients with the new agency UFAN, and effective date, approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to the expiration of the old UFAN.

2.  DoD COMPONENT LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.  DoD Component law enforcement agencies or other TSA authorized agencies shall:
a.  Request a UFAN by submitting a Federal Law Enforcement Agency Contact Worksheet
(see Appendix) to the FAMS at LEOFA@dhs.gov.

b.  Provide an agency/entity representative and a 24/7 point of contact to the FAMS.

c.  Validate that the UFAN is current and distribute it to each DoD Component LEO
authorized to fly armed. 3.  DoD COMPONENT LEOs.  DoD Component LEOs must:
a.  Meet the requirements of section 1544.219 of Reference (a), unless otherwise authorized by TSA.

b.  Present an agency issued credential, badge, second form of government identification, LEOFA paper work obtained from the airline ticket agent, and their agency's UFAN at the airport LEO checkpoint.

4.  FLEOFA TRAINING PROGRAM
a.  Program training material may be obtained by e-mailing the Office of Law Enforcement/FAMS, Office of Training and Workforce Programs, Training Policy and Development Division, Operations Branch at LEOFA@dhs.gov with the following information:

(1)  Full name of the training officer.



(2)  Agency name.

(3)  Agency address and telephone number.

(4)  Supervisor name and telephone number.


b.  Program training material will only be provided via Federal Express, delivered to the agency address provided.

c.  For time-sensitive requests, call 1-703-487-3100 between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00
PM Eastern Standard Time. Appendix Federal Law Enforcement Agency Contact Worksheet


## Appendix To Enclosure 3 Federal Law Enforcement Agency Contact Worksheet Federal Law Enforcement Agency Contact Worksheet In Accordance With 49 Cfr  1544.219 "*Carriage Of Accessible Weapons,*" Law Enforcement Personnel Must Meet The Below Requirements In Order To Fly Armed Onboard Commercial Aircraft:


1. Be a Federal Law Enforcement Officer or a full-time municipal, county, or state law enforcement officer who is a direct employee of a Government agency.


2. Be sworn and commissioned to enforce criminal statutes or immigration statutes.

3. Be authorized by the employing agency to have the weapon in connection with assigned duties.

4. Has completed the training program "Law Enforcement Officers Flying Armed."



## Department Of Homeland Security Office Of Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service Enclosure 4 Prisoner Escort Procedures

 1.  GENERAL
a.  This enclosure establishes standardized procedures for armed prisoner escort on commercial aircraft and the establishment, administration, and deployment of AETs in the DoD.

b.  The provisions of section 1544.221 of Reference (c) necessitate the establishment, administration, deployment, and utilization of AETs to comply with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requirements associated with armed escort of prisoners (as defined in the Glossary) on commercial aircraft.

c.  This enclosure does NOT apply to prisoner escort by special agents of the DCIOs, who will follow their Component's policies and procedures. 2.  AETs a.  AETs provide armed DoD escort capability for the movement of military personnel under custody from one detention/confinement facility to another.  In accordance with section1544.221 of Reference (a), determine whether each prisoner is high or low risk based on individual case factors, the nature of the crime with which the prisoner is charged or of which the prisoner has been convicted, and the assessed likelihood of escape.  Risk assessment of prisoners is the responsibility of the DoD Components, as applicable, and should include the following, though not all inclusive, individual case history factors:

(1)  Assaultive behavior.



(2)  Disruptive behavior.

(3)  Serious drug abuse.

(4)  Serious civil/military criminal record (convicted or charged).

(5)  Intensive acting out or dislike of the military.

(6)  History of previous escape(s) or attempted escape(s).


(7)  Pending civil charges/detainer filed, or charges or detainer as a result of violations punishable pursuant to chapter 47 of title 10, United States Code (also known and hereafter referred to as "The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)" (Reference (h)).


(8)  A mental evaluation indicating serious neurosis or psychosis.



(9)  Length, or potential length, of sentence.

(10)  National security risk (espionage, spying).


(11)  Documented or suspected gang affiliation.

b.  The AET is a capability of the DoD Component charged with guarding, detaining, or confining a prisoner and is only activated per the need identified under the provisions of paragraph 4.b. above the signature of this Instruction.  Accordingly, sufficient numbers of AET members must be available given short notice requirements.

c.  The return to military control of an absentee or deserter via armed DoD Component LEO
will be conducted in accordance with Enclosure 1 of DoD Instruction 1325.02 (Reference (i)).



3.  TRAINING
a.  Military personnel identified in subparagraph 2.a.(2) above the signature of this Instruction who are assigned to AET missions must be trained as advanced prisoner escorts, in accordance with their DoD Component's policy.

b.  All personnel identified in subparagraph 2.a.(2) above the signature of this Instruction who are assigned to AET missions must meet Component weapon qualification standards with assigned duty weapon and training standards.  Additionally, AET training must meet the requirements of the DHS's TSA's LEOFA training program.

4.  STAFFING
a.  DoD Components shall establish and maintain teams of properly trained and qualified prisoner escort personnel that comply with the requirements of Reference (c) to ensure a viable program is in place to transport prisoners.  These AETs shall be comprised from within the organization's current billet structure.

b.  AET members who fail to remain current in their training and proficiency shall be disqualified from escort duty and will be relieved from the AET. 5.  ESCORT MISSIONS
a.  Escort to prisoner ratio shall meet or exceed the Escort-to-prisoner ratio requirements of paragraph (d), section 1544.221 of Reference (c).  The team shall not be diverted mid-mission to pick up other prisoners, irrespective of risk assessment.


b.  All AET prisoner escort missions using commercial aircraft shall be conducted in civilian clothes.  Civilian clothing allowances will be authorized for each enlisted AET member in accordance with Chapter 29, Volume 7A of DoD 7000.14-R (Reference (i)).



6.  OPERATIONS
a.  Compliance Requirements.  AETs shall:

(1)  Comply with operational guidelines contained within paragraph (e), section 1544.221
of Reference (a).


(2)  Identify themselves to the aircraft operator and security personnel by presenting credentials as described in Enclosure 3, paragraph 3.b. of this Instruction.


(3)  Confirm to carrier/security personnel that they have taken the LEOFA training program.


(4)  Ensure that the following statement is on the travel orders:  "The carrying of concealed weapons is authorized."

(5)  Keep their weapons on their person and concealed at all times.

b.  Escape.  If a prisoner escapes while being transported by an AET, the commanding officer or officer in charge of the team will be notified immediately.  Additionally, the AET senior member will initiate immediate actions in accordance with his or her governing Service regulation or instruction.

c.  Prisoners on Prescription Medication

(1)  When a prisoner is taking prescribed medication, the AET will document this information on DD Form 2708, "Receipt for Inmate or Detained Person."  (See http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/infomgt/forms/formsprogram.htm.)

(2)  AETs will maintain control of these prescribed medications and dispense as directed on the medication container.


(3)  AETs will not deny any prescribed medications to a prisoner.


(4)  If a prisoner claims the need for a prescription medicine during transport that they do not have, the AET will notify the gaining command of the complaint for further disposition.


(5)  AETs will verbally inform any subsequent escorts of the prisoner's medical problem and use of prescribed medication.

## Glossary

PART I.  ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

AET
armed escort team


CFR
Code of Federal Regulations


DCIO
Defense Criminal Investigative Organization
DHS
Department of Homeland Security


FAMS
Federal Air Marshal Service


IG DoD
Inspector General of the DoD


LEO
law enforcement officer
LEOFA
law enforcement officer flying armed


PSD
personnel security detail


TSA
Transportation Security Administration


UCMJ
Uniform Code of Military Justice
UFAN
unique Federal agency number
USD(I&S)
Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security

## Part Ii.  Definitions



Unless otherwise noted, these terms and their definitions are for the purpose of this Instruction.


absentee.  Any member of the Military Services not classified administratively as a deserter who is absent without authority from his or her unit, organization, or other place of duty where he or she is required to be. armed.  Associated with a DoD issued firearm. DCIOs.  The Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. deserter.  A Service member who has left or remained absent from their unit, organization, or place of duty, where there has been a determined intent to not return.



DoD Component LEO.  In accordance with Reference (c) and for the purpose of flying armed on commercial aircraft, the law enforcement personnel in the categories listed in this definition are DoD Component LEOs.  Further, the following categories of DoD Component LEOs are considered Federal LEOs by the FAMS:
Military police (Army and Marine Corps), Security Forces (Air Force), and Masters-at-Arms
(Navy) who wear a military uniform with police identification while on duty; and DoD Component civilian police (GS 0083 series or equivalent of Reference (d)) who wear a civilian police uniform while on duty or are performing protective or investigative duties requiring civilian attire as the duty uniform when credentialed to perform those duties in accordance with the UCMJ.

Military and civilian (GS 1811 series of Reference (d)) criminal investigators (special agents).

Correctional officers (military and/or civilian employees in job series 0007 or equivalent of Reference (d)).

Other DoD personnel authorized by TSA, including those performing PSD missions.

DoD law enforcement agencies.  Organizations, agencies, entities, and offices of the Military Departments and Defense Agencies and the IG DoD that perform a law enforcement function for those departments and agencies and are manned by DoD LEOs. prisoner.  Service members under detention/custody of law enforcement or security personnel. return to military control.  The date and hour when:
An absentee or deserter surrenders to, is delivered to, or is apprehended by or for military authorities; A civilian authority, holding the absentee or deserter for some reason other than at the request of the military, informs the military of his or her availability; or When an absentee or deserter otherwise comes under the control of military personnel.