There have been incidents recently where Marines flying on a commercial airline were stopped by security because they had prohibited items in their baggage, said Lloyd M. Logan, U.S. Military Customs inspector with the Provost Marshall Office for Marine Corps Bases Japan.

Brig. Gen. William Beydler, commanding general for 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, said Marines need to understand the importance of following rules and regulations for carrying items on a commercial aircraft.

At no time are government ammunition, weapons, chemicals, explosives, flammable materials or compressed containers allowed on a commercial flight, said Logan.

Weapons can be anything from a bayonet, pocket knife, sword or anything with a sharp edge to a handgun, paintball gun, shotgun or anything that fires projectiles, Logan explained.

"Any Marine that has government ammunition in his possession is guilty of stealing," said Beydler. "You are taught it in all entry level schools; you don't leave ranges with ammunition."

"Having ammunition in baggage is counter to everything the Marine Corps is about, and that's security of our citizens," Beydler stated. "You put people at risk by diverting attention to somebody who's supposed to hold the highest of standards, and now they are consuming a resource that could be applied to those that mean us harm."

"Marines need to focus on what we are supposed to do, and that is defend life and liberty," he added.

"These actions put people at risk and it sends exactly the wrong message of what we are about as Marines," Beydler stated in reference to how these actions affect the local community and the Marines' global reputation. "It indicates that some Marines are reckless in their behavior, and it's not what we're about; it's undisciplined."

If Marines have government ammunition, there are ways to dispose of it legally and remain anonymous, said Col. Dennis Crall, commanding officer of Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

"There are amnesty boxes. They don't have to get caught by airport authorities who will go through their bags. Instead, they can certainly take a little accountability of their own and get rid of these items, long before an event like this happens," said Crall.

According to the Transportation Security Administration, there are certain items a traveler is not allowed to carry with them on a commercial flight. If a traveler is caught with items not allowed in their carry-on baggage, depending on the item, it can be inserted into a traveler's checked baggage.

TSA states that knives, commercial firearms and most tools are not allowed in carry-on bags, but are allowed in checked baggage. Explosive or flammable materials, toxic chemicals and government ammunition or expended rounds are not allowed on a commercial plane in any circumstance.

However, according to the United States Forces Japan Order 31-207, there are different regulations for all status of force agreement personnel. SOFA members are not allowed to carry a blade longer than 2.1 inches off a military installation.

In addition, Marine Corps Bases Japan Order 4601.1 states all military personnel deploying or traveling on a commercial aircraft with their table of organization weapons must have the serial number and type of weapon annotated on their official military orders. Military personnel must deliver a copy of their orders and itinerary to the appropriate provost marshal's office within 72 hours prior of their scheduled travel date to ensure proper notification is made to local law enforcement authorities.

If including certain items in checked baggage is not an option, service members may be able to send it through Traffic Management Office or the U.S. postal system. However, some regulations restrict certain items from shipment that way as well.

TMO hosts classes Monday thru Fridays at 8 a.m., explaining what is and is not allowed to ship through TMO.

If service members choose to send weapons through TMO, they are required to inform TMO in order to allow the Passenger Travel Office to gain weapons travel authorization from the airlines.

If items are not allowed through TMO, Marines may send it through the base post office or other shipping company, depending on the item, said Lance Cpl. Shawn Saylor, a TMO clerk with Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler.

"If a Marine's crates contain unauthorized items, then not only will their baggage be held up in customs, but so will other service members' belongings, because a Marine's crate gets loaded into a larger crate with other crates," said Saylor.

In order to leave Okinawa with a personal or military weapon in a service member's gear, a person must fly on All Nippon Airlines. No other airlines permit weapons aboard their aircraft.

The only way a service member can "check" government weapons is if it states it on their orders, said Logan. "For example, if a Marine is traveling with a noncommissioned officer sword or officer sword, since its part of an official military uniform it is allowed if it is written in their military orders," Logan added.

"It is important for Marines to realize that, whether it is checked baggage or carry-on luggage, the Japanese airport security inspects 100 percent of baggage loaded on a commercial plane," Logan stated.

"The best way to know if you're allowed to carry-on an item is to check with the airline you are flying with before you go to the airport," he said.

Beydler advised leaders should talk about past incidents and re-educate Marines that they don't leave ranges with government ammunition to prevent Marines from attempting to take the wrong items on a commercial flight.

"Demand compliance and hold those accountable for their actions." he said.

If someone is unsure whether an item is prohibited on commercial planes, bring the item to the U.S. Military Customs office, located in the same building as PMO on Camp Foster or call 645-3886, added Logan.