For DoD employees to hand carry classified material, which type of carrier must they use when traveling commercially?

When DoD employees need to hand carry classified material while traveling commercially, they are required to use a US Flag carrier. This requirement is grounded in the need to maintain control and ensure the security of classified information. US Flag carriers are under the jurisdiction of U.S. regulations and should be familiar with the protocols surrounding federal employees transporting sensitive materials, thus providing an additional layer of reliability and security.

Using a US Flag carrier helps ensure compliance with various security policies and legal stipulations set forth by the Department of Defense, which dictate that classified information must be handled in a way that minimizes risk. These carriers have established procedures for dealing with classified materials and are better equipped to work alongside military and government personnel in high-security situations.

Other options, such as foreign flag carriers, chartered flights only, and military transports, do not align with the established policies and practices aimed at safeguarding classified information during transport. They may not have the same knowledge of U.S. security protocols or may lack the necessary safeguards required by the DoD for transporting classified materials.