Effective January 1, 2025, the updated USO Admissions policy is:

USO centers are available for the comfort and convenience of currently serving military personnel and their dependents.

All U.S. military personnel (Active Duty, Reserve and Guard) and their dependents with valid U.S. Department of Defense ID cards may utilize USO centers.

In addition, U.S military retirees with valid U.S. Department of Defense ID cards (and their dependents with valid U.S. Department of Defense ID cards) may enter and utilize USO centers. Gold Star Families/Families of the Fallen and their guests may enter and utilize USO centers.​

Military dependents under the age of 18 must be accompanied and supervised by a parent/guardian.

While we value the service of other U.S. military constituent groups, including veterans, 100% disabled veterans, and other members of the uniformed services, these groups are not permitted access to USO centers as our primary purpose is to support currently serving military personnel and their dependents.

Why are we changing the policy?

The updated policy is consistent with the previous USO admissions policy; however, the ability to apply a location-specific policy regarding the admittance of military retirees and their families has been eliminated to create a more consistent experience for guests visiting USO centers. Retirees and their immediate families may access all USO centers worldwide.

What is a Gold Star Family, who are Families of the Fallen & how are they identified?

A Gold Star Family refers to the immediate family of a service member who dies while serving in the Armed Forces or from a service-connected injury or illness. This could be a parent, spouse, sibling or child of a service member. The definition focuses on the immediate family members often also referred to as “Families of the Fallen.” If a guest visits a center and identifies as a Gold Star Family or Families of the Fallen, the USO will allow them access to the center—they do not need to provide an ID. The USO has been a longstanding partner with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) and their efforts to support Gold Star Families and Families of the Fallen. The USO offers access to Gold Star Families and Families of the Fallen to provide respite and a welcoming environment no matter where they are traveling/visiting.

What about Veterans, are they allowed?

The USO is a military service organization (MSO). The USO is a Congressionally Chartered not-for-profit organization, and the mission is defined to serve active-duty armed forces while they are serving. Our policy is consistent with our mission and ensures we are focused on people serving our country and the unique needs of active-duty service members and their families.

According to the Census Bureau, there were 16.9 million veterans the United States in 2022. USO respects and honors all who have served our country; however, our limited resources and facility capacities do not allow USO to offer access to this military constituent group. In some locations, USO partners with Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) to support specific programs for veterans, mostly at airport locations, like Honor Flight Network – through Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) with VSOs.

Why is the USO allowing retirees but not veterans?

Retirees have long been admitted to USO centers with their DoD ID card. The policy now reflects a more consistent experience while continuing to offer access to retirees across all USO locations. As retirees and their immediate family members are generally a small constituent group, their participation in other USO programs and services is allowed to maintain consistency and avoid policy variations from location to location.

According to the Census Bureau, there were 16.9 million veterans the United States in 2022. USO respects and honors all who have served our country; however, our limited resources and facility capacities do not allow USO to offer access to this military constituent group. In some locations, USO partners with Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) to support specific programs for veterans, mostly at airport locations, like Honor Flight Network – through Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) with VSOs.

Are former service members that have the status of 100% disabled the same as medically retired? And if you are medically retired, are you eligible to use the USO?

There are a variety of differences in the way DoD and the VA classify an individual related to their medical and career status. An individual medically retired is no longer able to have a military career because of a disability. They are considered retirees and are issued the retiree ID needed to access the center. The 100% disabled status is applied by the VA, and it compensates for disabilities that interfere with a civilian career. They are not issued retiree IDs by the DoD and do not have the identification required to use the center.

Are members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart eligible for USO access?

The admissions policy does not include admission of members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Of course, there may be retirees who hold a DOD ID card and are also members of the Military of the Purple Heart, but they have access to our USO centers based on their retiree status and not their membership of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Are multinational coalition forces allowed in USO centers?

Coalition forces are multinational forces made up of personnel, equipment, and resources from ally and partner countries. These forces are used to carry out multinational force operations. The United States military works with coalition forces in a variety of ways and are stationed at military installations alongside these forces. Although not specifically noted in the admissions policy, military members of coalition forces are admitted to USO centers.

Who is included in uniformed services of the United States, and are all groups allowed access to USO centers?

The term “uniformed services” includes:

• the armed forces;

• the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and

• the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service.

The USO is available to active duty and retired members of the armed forces only, under the uniformed services of the United States and need to present the proper ID to access a USO center.

Are animals allowed in USO centers?

Service Animals: USO permits the use of “service animals” by its employees, volunteers, and guests in USO centers, consistent with the ADA.

Military Working Dogs: USO permits Military Working Dogs (MWDs) in USO centers when accompanied by their service handlers.

Emotional Support Animals: USO permits the Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) of guests in USO centers, provided all the conditions listed in the full policy are satisfied.

Therapy Dogs: Under certain conditions USO will permit therapy dogs in USO centers to help strengthen U.S. service members and their families by incorporating therapy dog companionship into USO programs, events, and facilities.

Pets: USO guests are not permitted to bring their pets into USO centers. However, guests who visit an airport USO location while they are traveling with their pet(s) are allowed to bring their pet(s) into the USO location, if the animal(s) remain in an approved animal carrier during the visit.

Read more details about our animal admission policy

Can service members or spouses bring their friends and extended family as guests into the USO, like a sibling or friends with whom they are traveling?

The USO’s mission is to support the US Armed Services and Coast Guard and their families throughout their service to the Nation. This includes the exclusive use of USO centers, and the resources provided, as defined by our Congressional Charter. Service members, including military retirees, and their dependents may use USO facilities and programs, and may be admitted with immediate family members, i.e., spouses and children. Currently there is not capacity for additional guests.

What IDs does the USO accept and how do they handle those IDs?

The USO accepts DOD issued IDs such as the Common Access Card (CAC), applicable Next Generation USID card types and applicable Legacy USID card types with a valid expiration date. IDs should be displayed at the check-in desk to verify eligibility. A valid CAC or USID must be presented at check-in for entry to a USO center.

Do members of the military and/or their spouses need to be traveling to use USO centers at airports?

USO centers at commercial and military airports are designed to reduce travel stress for service members and/or their dependents while they are traveling from one destination to another whether for work or personal travel. Authorized guests do not need to be traveling to utilize USO centers at airports.

Is check-in at the USO required?

Yes, the USO relies on the information collected from check-in to analyze data, make programmatic recommendations and other strategic business decisions. It is critical that we obtain accurate data on the usage of our facilities in real time from the kiosks. Demographic questions include the option for guests to “prefer not to say,” and there is also a manual override that staff can use to check-in a guest completely anonymously. Proper identification is still required to the validate access eligibility.