Your military ID comes in handy for getting you on and off your installation and for everyday things like shopping at your installation commissary and exchange. But did you know your ID is also your ticket to a world of great discounted recreation and entertainment opportunities? Whether you and your family like sporting events, shows, amusement parks, museums or historic sites, you can explore dozens of opportunities for fun and relaxation through your Information, Tickets and Travel office and enjoy them at a discount using your military ID. For specifics on discounts available to you, visit your installation ITT office (It may also be referred to as Morale, Welfare and Recreation; Leisure Travel Services; or Information, Tickets and Travel.). You can find contact information for these programs through MilitaryINSTALLATIONS. In the meantime, learn more about what the ITT office can do for you and about some of the amazing things you can see and do at a discount using your military ID.
Why it makes sense to book and buy through Information, Tickets and Travel
The discounts might be the best reason to buy tickets through your installation ITT office, but they're not the only reason! You can also take advantage of exclusive offers available only to service members and avoid extra fees like tax or facility fees. Fast and personalized service is another great reason to get your tickets through ITT. For your convenience, many installation websites feature price lists that allow you to browse available attractions, events and destinations and compare prices.
Need ideas or information for a local outing or upcoming vacation? You can visit your ITT office in person and pick up a variety of brochures on nearby attractions or destinations that are more far-flung. If you're planning a trip, you can leave the details to ITT if you like. Many ITT or Leisure Travel office personnel act as travel agents who will help you with the logistics of your trip in addition to providing information on special offers and discounted tickets.
Discount eligibility
Generally, you can take advantage of ITT or leisure travel services if you can provide proof of Department of Defense affiliation, typically with an ID card or a leave and earnings statement. Eligible service members and other individuals include active duty, reserve component and retired service members; "Gray Area Retirees," National Guard and reserve members who have retired but are not yet 60 years old; and their family members; DoD Civilians and nonappropriated fund personnel.
Staying close to home
You're probably curious about what you can see and do in your area and what kind of discounts you can get through your installation ITT office. Of course, local events and attractions will vary depending on your installation location, but if you're stationed at Camp Pendleton in southern California, you can go sport fishing or whale watching off Dana Point. Soldiers and their families at Fort Belvoir can take a day trip to New York City. If Joint Base Charleston is your home, you can get discounted tickets for a Charleston Brews Cruise or check out a River Dogs minor-league baseball game. Visit your own ITT office and you might be surprised at all the fun (and discounted!) things there are to enjoy in your own area. In a number of different locations, you might also be able to get reduced-price tickets to nearby professional football, baseball, NASCAR or other sporting events, concerts or other shows at local arenas. Discounted tickets to local movie theaters are another common offering.
The Magic Kingdom — and much, much more
For the service member who's thinking beyond the city limits to a dream family vacation, installation ITT offices are the place to start planning. If you have a Disney destination in mind, you can get discounted passes or tickets to Disney World and many other Orlando, Florida-area attractions through your ITT office. And your options go far beyond Orlando. As another example, the Offutt Air Force Base list of "Military Discounted Attraction Tickets" includes tickets to Disneyland and Legoland (southern California); the International Spy Museum, Mount Vernon and Capitol Segway Tours in Washington, D.C.); and the Dixie Stampede (dinner and show) and Titanic Museum in Branson, Missouri.
Maybe you're considering a good old-fashioned family camping trip. In that case, the ITT office can fill you in on campgrounds and recreation vehicle areas. If you prefer climate control and all the comforts of home, don't forget to ask about hotel and car rental discounts!
For all the sacrifices you make as a military family, you deserve some well-earned rest and relaxation in return. Whether it's an exotic travel destination or just Saturday night at the local movie theater, your installation ITT can help you relax for less. Tickets or reservations may be subject to availability, so make your plans and get your tickets early to make sure you aren't left out of the fun!
For more information, you can find a link to the Service ITT websites through Military OneSource. And, of course, pay a visit to your installation ITT office. When it comes to all the great discounted travel, entertainment and recreational opportunities that await you, you won't know until you go!