Facebook groups are an excellent way to share experiences, ask questions, and learn from fellow members of the military community. Even if you prefer not to use Facebook for personal sharing, it’s worth having an account to access groups for help using your travel-related military benefits. Groups offer an online forum to post questions and get crowd-sourced answers from seasoned military travelers.
You can find dozens of military-specific groups related to travel and living overseas, but we’ve highlighted a few of them below. Note that when requesting to join these groups, you must answer a few questions to confirm your military affiliation. It may take a few seconds for the questions to appear after you click “join,” so wait for them before you leave the page.
In addition to these groups, we recommend following the Poppin’ Smoke Facebook page for tips and updates related to Space-A travel. We also share pictures, news from military MWR facilities, and other topics of interest to military travelers.
Facebook Groups Related to Space-A Travel
There are many Facebook groups related to Space-A travel but the ones below are a great starting point. Before posting a question, we recommend reading our Quickstart Guide to Space-A Flights along with any “Featured” posts from the group’s admins. Also, do a search through each group’s discussion to see if members have already addressed your question.
- Space A DOD Travelers of USA: This group of nearly 100K members is moderated by numerous Space-A experts. It covers all topics related to Space-A travel.
- Category 6 Space-A Travel Forum: This group is an offshoot of Space-A DOD Travelers of USA. It is specifically for retirees, 100% disabled veterans, and other travelers in the Category 6 priority group. With about 13K members, it’s much smaller than the main group, but it’s the best group for travelers in this category.
- Unaccompanied Dependent Travelers (Categories 4 & 5): Another offshoot of Space-A DOD Travelers of USA, this group shares information about Space-A travel for dependents traveling without their sponsor. Before posting questions, read this guide to figure out your category, where you can fly, what paperwork you need, and how to sign up.
- Military Space Available Travel: Another great group for general questions and discussion related to Space-A travel.
- Space-A Adventure Trip Reports: If you want to share details, photos, and lessons learned from your Space-A adventures, post them here. For anyone who has never flown Space-A or is traveling to a location for the first time, this group is also a great way to learn from other travelers’ experiences. Members often share specifics of their itineraries, recommendations for lodging or ground transportation, and funny stories about the trials and tribulations of Space-A.
- Dawn Crowe Travel Group’s Space-A Connection: This group is run by a military retiree spouse and former travel agent for the Air Force. Now she specializes in helping members of our community find the best deals on cruises. Join her group to learn about military discounts, particularly on trans-Atlantic and repositioning cruises, and find out how other military travelers combine cruising with Space-A travel.
- Space A Couchsurfers, Rides, Hosts, and Hospitality Exchange: This group is for military Space-A travelers to find and offer places to stay, rides, and other logistical support. If you join, the expectation is that you are willing to host or support other travelers in exchange for the option to enjoy fellow members’ hospitality.
Facebook Groups Related to Living and Traveling Overseas
Same as with the Space-A groups, remember to do a search through each group’s discussion to see what questions have already been addressed.
- U.S. Military Retirees and Veterans Living Overseas: This group, run by Poppin’ Smoke, is for members of the U.S. military community to exchange advice, experiences, and information about living in a foreign country as a civilian. Whether you live overseas now or aspire to move abroad in the future, join us to ask questions and learn from others.
There are also numerous country-specific Facebook groups for veterans living overseas (examples are Portugal, Spain, Germany, Korea, and the Philippines). Search on Facebook to find groups for other countries. None of these groups is administered by Poppin’ Smoke.
- TRICARE Around the World: This is a valuable group for members of the military community who want to understand how to access their medical benefits while traveling or living overseas. The group is not affiliated with TRICARE; it is run by a Navy retiree who has developed expertise in TRICARE Overseas through extensive research and personal use of the program.
- U.S. Military Travelers in Japan: Another group managed by Poppin’ Smoke, this one is for readers who are interested in traveling to Japan. Join us to exchange information about Space-A travel, using U.S. military facilities in Japan, and general tourism.
- Tips for Asia Travel: Exchange information about travel throughout Asia in this military-only group.
If you know of other military-only groups about travel in a specific region, let us know! We may add them here! Please note that the groups must be active (at least a few posts per week) and not restricted to members stationed at a certain location.