Early Return of Dependents (ERD)

Many dependents may wish to return to the United States when their sponsor leaves on a major deployment.  Army Regulations permit dependents to move back to the continental United States (CONUS) at Government expense under limited circumstances.  The mechanism for returning dependents to CONUS at government expense is Early Return of Dependents (EROD).  While earlier versions recognized two related methods, AROD and EROD, the JFTR only uses the term EROD.

a.  Definitions of EROD and AROD. 

An EROD permits both military and civilian dependents to travel to CONUS prior to termination of soldier’s OCONUS tour due to official or personal situations. AROD was formerly used to describe the process of permitting military dependents to travel to CONUS prior to termination of soldier’s outside the continental United States (OCONUS) tour due to personal situations.  This term is no longer used; the process for both military and civilian dependents is referred to exclusively as ERD in JFTR/JTR. 

b.  Who may request.

EROD may be requested through filling a DA Form 4187 by a:

1. Soldier

2. Dependent (if member is not available or declines to initiate the request)

3. Command

c. Situations in which EROD May be Approved for Personal Situations.

d.  Command-ordered EROD. 

A commander may use EROD to end the OCONUS presence of a family member where the continued presence of the family member is embarrassing to the U.S. Government, is prejudicial to the order, morale, and discipline in the command, or where the family member’s safety can no longer be ensured.  A commander normally requests EROD orders in situations where family members have committed misconduct, or where force protection or anti-terrorism situations require action.