AF Form 1045 PDF: Student Dependent Travel (Free Download) – If you’re an active-duty Air Force member or DoD civilian stationed overseas (OCONUS) with a college-age dependent attending school in the United States, AF Form 1045 is the key document that can help secure government-authorized travel for your student. This form, officially titled Request and Authorization for Student Dependent Travel, streamlines the process for eligible dependents to travel between their school and your overseas permanent duty station (PDS).
In this comprehensive guide, we break down everything U.S.-based military families need to know: eligibility requirements, how to complete the form, submission steps, required documents, and more. We pull directly from trusted official sources including the Air Force e-Publishing site, AFI 65-103, DAFI 36-3012, and the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR).
Download the latest AF Form 1045 PDF here (official source):
https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/saf_fm/form/af1045/af1045.pdf
What Is AF Form 1045 and Why Do You Need It?
AF Form 1045 is an Air Force Information Management Tool (IMT) form used to request and authorize transportation for eligible student dependents. It is primarily for families where the sponsor (military member or DoD civilian) is assigned OCONUS on an accompanied/command-sponsored tour, and the dependent child is enrolled full-time at an accredited school (usually in the CONUS).
- Purpose: It authorizes one round-trip per fiscal year (typically) on a space-required basis (military aircraft when available) or through standard travel channels, helping cover or facilitate travel costs that would otherwise fall entirely on the family.
- Key reference: Governed by JTR Chapter 5/7 (Dependent Student Travel, para. 050816 for civilians or equivalent for military) and DoDI 4515.13 (Air Transportation Eligibility).
- Who uses it? Air Force members, their command-sponsored dependents, and certain DoD civilians overseas. It is not for general PCS travel—the student must have already traveled to the sponsor’s PDS on initial PCS orders before using student dependent travel orders.
This benefit can save families thousands in airfare each year, making it a valuable entitlement for military college students.
Who Is Eligible for Student Dependent Travel with AF Form 1045?
Eligibility is strict and tied to JTR and DoD policy. Your dependent must meet all of the following:
- Unmarried dependent child under age 23.
- Full-time student (typically 12+ credit hours per semester) at a school accredited by a recognized body (Secretary of Defense-approved).
- Sponsor is on a command-sponsored accompanied tour OCONUS (includes many overseas bases in Europe, Asia, etc.; Hawaii and Alaska may have exceptions).
- Dependent is command-sponsored and was authorized to reside at or near the sponsor’s PDS.
- Travel is for educational purposes—one round trip per fiscal year between school and the overseas PDS.
Note: The first trip to the sponsor’s new PDS must occur on the member’s PCS orders. Subsequent trips use AF Form 1045.
Military Personnel Flight (MPF) at your base determines final eligibility and processes requests. Additional guidance is often available on myFSS (myFSS.us.af.mil).
Step-by-Step: How to Complete AF Form 1045?
The form is straightforward but must be filled out accurately to avoid delays. Here’s what a completed sample (from AFI 65-103, Figure 6.2) typically includes:
- Student Information — Full name, date of birth, relationship to sponsor (e.g., dependent daughter/son), passport number.
- School Details — Name and location of the accredited institution (e.g., University of Maryland, College Park, MD).
- Sponsor Information — Sponsor’s name, rank/grade, SSN, organization, and APO/FPO address.
- Travel Itinerary — Dates (on or about), origin (overseas base), destination (school or home), and whether it’s one-way or round-trip.
- Authorization Statements — Include:
- “Accomplish necessary immunizations before traveling.”
- Baggage allowance (usually up to 70 lbs).
- “Sponsor will file a no-pay travel voucher within 5 days after student travel completion.”
- Authority citation (JTR paragraph + DoDI 4515.13).
- Funding/Accounting Classification (provided by Transportation Office).
Tip: Use the fillable PDF from the official link above. Print clearly or complete electronically where allowed. Attach proof of full-time enrollment (e.g., letter from registrar confirming 12–15 credit hours minimum).
Your MPF or orders-publishing activity prepares the actual orders based on the approved AF Form 1045.
Required Documents and Submission Process
To submit a request:
- Completed AF Form 1045.
- Verification of full-time enrollment (school letter or transcript).
- Proof of dependency (already in DEERS).
- Passport/visa details if required for international legs.
- Any additional base-specific forms (check with your MPF).
Submission: Route through your unit MPF or designated orders section. They coordinate with the Transportation Office for funding and actual travel arrangements (often via Defense Travel System or commercial booking with reimbursement). Submit well in advance—ideally 30+ days before travel.
After travel, the sponsor must file a no-pay travel voucher (DD Form 1351-2) within 5 days.
Benefits and Important Considerations
- Cost savings: Government covers authorized transportation (space-required or commercial per JTR).
- Baggage: Limited to normal accompanied allowance (70 lbs typical).
- Limitations: Space-A is not guaranteed—have a backup commercial plan. No per diem or extra allowances in most cases. Travel must be completed within the same fiscal year for round trips.
- CONUS families: This form is rarely needed if both sponsor and student are stateside. Use standard leave/travel procedures instead.
Always verify current rules with your local MPF or Finance Office, as policies can update.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About AF Form 1045
Q: Is AF Form 1045 still current in 2026?
Yes. It remains the standard form referenced in AFI 65-103 (2019) and DAFI 36-3012 (2023+). The official PDF is hosted on e-publishing.af.mil.
Q: Can I use it for high school or graduate students?
Generally for post-secondary (college) full-time students under 23. Secondary school students may qualify under different DoDEA rules.
Q: What if my dependent is over 23?
Eligibility ends at age 23 in most cases—check JTR Appendix A for exact dependent definitions.
Q: Where do I get help filling it out?
Contact your base MPF, Transportation Office, or Finance. Many overseas bases (e.g., Ramstein, Spangdahlem) publish local guides.
Download and Official Resources
- Official AF Form 1045 PDF: Direct Download
- Air Force e-Publishing: e-publishing.af.mil
- Joint Travel Regulations (JTR): Available on defensetravel.dod.mil
- DAFI 36-3012 (Military Entitlements): Search on e-publishing.af.mil
- Local guidance: Check myFSS or your base’s Finance/MPF page
Military families stationed overseas with students back home rely on this benefit to stay connected without prohibitive travel costs. If you’re preparing for an OCONUS assignment or already there, download AF Form 1045 today and speak with your MPF early.
Questions? Contact your servicing Military Personnel Flight or Transportation Management Office for personalized assistance—they handle these requests daily.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available official U.S. Air Force and DoD publications as of 2026. Always confirm the latest policy with your chain of command or servicing agency.