<p>In past years, the instructions in the permit to report packet specifically directed appointees to apply for a US passport if they didn’t already have one. Next summer your training may take you to Asia or Europe, so you really need to get the ball rolling. Though recently postponed, US citizens flying between the United States and Canada or Mexico need US passports. This has created a tremendous backlog at the Department of State. Thus, waiting times for new or renewed passports may be longer than in the past. Apply for your passport before you leave, because it’s going to be December before you will have time to apply in person for your first passport. However, USNA may have a passport office on the yard.</p>