The Mystery of the 'Red' Passport

So, I mentioned earlier that I was instructed to apply for my 'official red passport' as soon as possible. With Monday being a federal holiday (Columbus Day), I wasn't able to get any additional information. So my goal for today was to get whatever paperwork needed and get the mystery process started.

First step was to contact the Transportation department at Ft Knox to find out if they could tell me what paperwork I needed. I was given a name (Barbara) and a number, then they attempted to transfer me. Unfortunately, Barbara was not in. I was told to call back later. It was about lunch time so I figured that I would call again later. In the meantime, I called the local post office and inquired about the mystery 'Red' passport. Neither the lady that answered the phone nor anyone else in the post office knew what I was looking for. Dead end.

Later, I phoned Barbara back and ended up leaving a message as she wasn't in the office. She returned my call shortly thereafter, full of information. It seems that I am in need of a DS11 form that I am instructed that I can obtain at my local post office. Once I have my travel orders (7-10 days), I will make an appointment with Barbara and take the completed DS11, my state issued ID (drivers license), passport and birth certificate to my meeting with her. I am informed though that it will take 6-8 weeks before I obtain the mystery Red passport. Wonder if this is going to be an issue? Easy enough, right? We'll get to that in a minute....

Barbara was very helpful and answered my other questions regarding how to request the salary advance as well as she could although I still have virtually no idea how to go about this. Hopefully, HR in Landstuhl will answer my email today (Wed) and give me a clue.

After I finished with Barbara, I contacted the local post office again full of confidence. 'Hi, I spoke to someone earlier regarding paperwork for a 'red' passport. I have found that I am in need of a DS11 form, can you help me?' I felt empowered, with the Official document number now how could anything stand in my way. I'm placed on hold and after about 3 minutes, the lady returns to the line and tells me that they do not have any that are printed and she is working on getting one printed out for me. Placed on hold again. Another 2-3 minutes and she returns to the line, 'uh....well, we figured out that the form you need is the passport application' Ok? Is it a special passport application? 'no, just the regular passport application' she replied. Oh, ok? Well, thank you miss postal service lady...I'll stop by and pick one up this week....wtf?!!? Why couldn't someone just tell me that I needed the f^(&!ng passport application!! What a hassle.

Mystery of the Red Passport solved!!

How was your Tuesday?