Early Return of Dependents: ERD is governed by paragraph Part J, U5900(B), JFTR. Command sponsorship is a privilege, not a right. A commander may use ERD 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. ERD orders are normally requested by a commander in situations where family members have committed misconduct, or where force protection or anti-terrorism situations require action.
Once a family member leaves Alaska on ERD orders, return to the OCONUS command at Government expense is not authorized unless the family member was returned for their own safety. Family members that were returned as a result of an incident embarrassing to the Government, or for behavior prejudicial to the good order of the unit, may not be further moved at Government expense until the soldier is ordered on PCS from overseas Permanent Duty station or serves an IPCOT.
A family member cannot be forced to depart Alaska. If a family member under ERD orders does not depart Alaska, but chooses instead to remain and live on the economy, there is no entitlement for Government assistance in the move. The orders end the command sponsorship of the family and provides the family member transportation and shipment of household goods back to the Lower 48 within 15 days of issuance. A family member may decide to remain in Alaska despite the ERD orders, hopefully understanding that the Army will not transport the family member to the Lower 48 after the 15 days. If the ERD orders were issued due to family member misconduct, the family member may also be barred from USARAK installations.