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Noncombatant
Evacuation Operations
Much of the general emergency action information, presented through the other
emergency action links, is valid anywhere. However, the availability of and access
to evacuation routes, safe havens, shelters, and mass notification systems vary more
widely outside the continental United States, often depending on the preparedness
levels of—and cooperative agreements with—host nations. Noncombatant Evacuation
Operations (NEO) is an emergency action used specifically OCONUS.

All members of the Marine Corps community serving OCONUS are encouraged to be
proactive in informing and preparing themselves to take effective actions in response
to potential hazards in their particular part of the world.

Noncombatant Evacuation Operations (NEO) is the ordered (mandatory) or authorized

(voluntary) departure of civilian noncombatants and nonessential military personnel
from danger in an overseas country to a designated safe haven, typically within
the continental United States. Overseas evacuations could occur under a variety of
circumstances, including civil unrest, military uprisings, environmental concerns,
and natural disasters. The Department of State (DOS) recommends an evacuation, and
the Department of the Army—as the Department of Defense (DOD) Executive Agent for
repatriation (RE-PAT) planning and operations—coordinates the execution of NEO.

Noncombatants
U.S. citizens who may be ordered to U.S. (and non-U.S.) citizens who may • Military personnel and dependents
evacuate an overseas country include— be authorized or assisted in evacuation of members of the U.S. Armed
• Civilian employees of all U.S. Gov- (but not necessarily ordered to evacu- Forces outlined above, short of an
ernment agencies and their depen- ate) include— ORDERED evacuation
dents, except as noted below • Civilian employees of the U.S. Gov- • Designated aliens, including depen-
• Military personnel of the U.S. Armed ernment agencies and their de- dents of persons listed above
Forces specifically designated for pendents who are residents in the
evacuation as noncombatants country but express the willingness
Noncombatants should maintain ac-
to be evacuated
• Dependents of members of the U.S. curate and updated contact information
Armed Forces • Private U.S. citizens and their de-
with their command and in all relevant
pendents
Marine Corps databases.

Set your own course through any hazard: stay informed, make a plan, build a kit. Live Ready Marine Corps.
www.ready.marines.mil

Noncombatant
Evacuation Operations

How to Prepare
Sponsors and family members are The following are your responsibilities: phone, email addresses, etc. in eMNS.
responsible to take an active role in Registration of personal information
❶ Prepare and maintaining an updated
preparation for an evacuation, so that enhances Marine Corps Installations’
NEO Package.
you will be better informed and able to ability to rapidly provide emergency
move quickly. Preparation translates to ❷ Stay informed. Noncombatants information and changes to the base’s
reducing risk to you and your family. should maintain accurate and up- operating status during non-working
You must also understand what the U.S. dated contact information with their hours and wherever you are.
Government will and will not do for command and in all relevant Marine
❸ Know where rally points are located
you. The military and the U.S. Embassy Corps databases. ALL Marines (ac-
and how to get there.
will work to notify you of an evacuation tive duty and Reserve), civil service,
order and move you safely and quickly and contrac¬tor personnel with a ❹ Make a written evacuation plan that
away from danger. They will also attend NIPR computer account—verify and includes a plan for pets.
to your basic needs of food, shelter, update official contact information ❺ Make a written emergency commu-
transportation and security. populated in the Marine Corps En- nication plan in case family mem-
terprise Mass Notification System bers are separated.
(eMNS) by information found in
❻ Build a NEO kit.
the Global Address List (GAL), and
self-register all cell phones, home

What to Do During an Evacuation How a Noncombatant Evacuation Is Executed

❶ Stay tuned to American Forces • At the onset of a crisis situation in repatriation operations as well as
Network (AFN) broadcasts for an overseas country, DOS, in collabo- the assistance provided to other eli-
instructions. ration with other federal agencies, gible DOD families who are unable
❷ I f an evacuation is ordered, report may request an evacuation. When to enter the subject country due to
to the nearest assembly point as approved by the President, an Ex- a stop movement order (an ordered
quickly as possible. ecutive Order will be issued direct- suspension of movement into an
ing NEO. evacuated area). Essential personnel
❸ L
 eave with the expectation that you
• One or more Repatriation (RE- with orders to travel into the evacu-
will not return.
PAT) Sites may be established, and ated area as a new duty station are
❹ Take your NEO kit with you. required to proceed.
USTRANSCOM will coordinate the
❺ C
 ooperate and comply with NEO removal of evacuees to the site, • CDR FORSCOM and CDR USPACOM
personnel. typically by air. Evacuees wishing will assist the designated Repatria-
❻ Remain calm and be flexible. to be evacuated somewhere other tion Sites during the execution of the
than the designated safe haven must repatriation operation in coordina-
❼ Assist other noncombatants who
request permission through their tion with other DOD agencies; the
need help.
Service and DOS. military Services; and federal, state,
• Headquarters Department of the and local agencies, as required.
Army will coordinate and direct

Set your own course through any hazard: stay informed, make a plan, build a kit. Live Ready Marine Corps.
www.ready.marines.mil

Noncombatant
Evacuation Operations

• Individual military Services/DOD Making Plans for Pets

agencies will provide necessary In the past, DoD authorities have made great effort to evacuate pets along with the
support to effectively receive and families. This may not always be feasible; therefore, families must make plans for
process respective families, both their pets to stay behind or to be transported out commercially. The cost of any
evacuees who enter through des- commercial transport of the pets, either out of the theater or from the Repatriation
ignated Repatriation Sites and also Site to the final safe haven location, will be borne by the family.
eligible families who are unable to
process through these sites (stop To fly on most Air Mobility Command or commercial airlines, including DOS-
movement personnel or those who chartered aircraft, requires some necessary paperwork for your pet. Required
come out via commercial air). The documents typically include completion of the DD Form 2209, Veterinary Health
Services/DOD agencies also will Certificate, and the DD Form 2208, Rabies Vaccination Certificate. Also note that
assume follow-on responsibility for many commercial carriers do not transport pets during certain periods, for example,
their respective family members very hot summer months or when space is not available.
throughout the safe haven period.
The authorized/ordered departure If you are permitted to bring pets in an evacuation, make sure you have the following:
may be extended in 30-day incre- • Separate carrier for each animal, except those nursing litters
ments to a maximum of 180 days. • Collars on each animal with owner ID information (microchip recommended)
• When an authorized departure is • Movement orders, health certificate, and shot records attached to cage in water-
terminated, evacuees must return proof pouch
to their foreign duty assignment.
• Supply of pet food (specialty food, if required)

What to Expect After an Evacuation

Being evacuated can be unsettling and dif- and civilian employees and their families. Upon arrival of evacuees at their final
ficult. The goal of the Repatriation Site is Financial assistance is provided in the destination, the nearest installation in the
to ensure arriving evacuees are processed form of deployable teams to designated local area is responsible for family sup-
and moved onward to their final safe ha- Repatriation Sites for initial payments to port in coordination with the evacuee’s
ven locations as expeditiously as possible. evacuees. It also includes all follow-on sponsoring Service or agency. The spon-
If transportation arrangements cannot be payments to evacuees while in safe haven soring installation will assist the family,
made for immediate onward movement locations, as well as initial and follow- regardless of Service affiliation, with any
after processing, arrangements will be on payments for eligible individuals problems or needs that may arise, such
made for temporary housing at military who were unable to process through a as family support, return transportation
installations or commercial facilities. Repatriation Site. These payments will be requirements, household goods claims,
made by Service-designated centralized etc. The sponsoring installation will also
Each Service is responsible for providing locations. provide assistance to families affected by
financial assistance for its eligible military stop movement orders.

Set your own course through any hazard: stay informed, make a plan, build a kit. Live Ready Marine Corps.