Jack Daniel's Operation Ride Home

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Celebrating 15 Years of Holiday Travel Assistance for Junior Enlisted Military Families

This year, we celebrate a special milestone – the 15th anniversary of Jack Daniel’s Operation Ride Home! Since 2011, the ASYMCA and Jack Daniel’s have sent 14,361 service members and their immediate family members home for the holidays. And we’re not slowing down! Thanks to American Airlines and their generous donation of 15 million AAdvantage miles, our impact will be even bigger.

About Operation Ride Home

Military families are frequently stationed far from their loved ones, which can create feelings of loneliness and isolation, especially during the holidays. That’s why it’s so important to send junior enlisted military personnel and their immediate family home for the holidays — to celebrate, reconnect with family and friends, and return home rejuvenated.

By offering travel financial assistance, ASYMCA and Jack Daniel’s are making travel home possible for E1-E5 Active Duty and Reserve personnel from all six Service branches, their spouses, and their direct dependent children ages 0-18 who are most in need.

Reconnecting military families during the holidays is one small way Operation Ride Home is strengthening military families. Operation Ride Home is open to E1-E5 Active Duty and Reserve personnel, both single and married, and their dependent children ages 0-18 who are stationed at an installation served by one of ASYMCA’s 12 local branches. Each ASYMCA branch reviews eligible applications to identify those in need of financial assistance who might not otherwise financially be able to travel home.

  • Travel assistance valued at a maximum of $500 for one round-trip airline ticket or a $125 prepaid gift card for vehicle travel per eligible family member.
  • Service member, military spouse or military official may submit an application. If the service member is traveling, a signed Leave Dates Approval Form is required to include as part of the application process.
  • ASYMCA 12 branches review and select eligible applications who might not otherwise financially be able to travel home.
  • For air travel and ASYMCA approved travel agent must the airline ticket; for vehicle travel, the applicant received the gift card from an ASYMCA branch. The ASYMCA does not reimburse individuals for airline tickets purchased separately.
  • Limited to E1-E5 Active Duty or Reserve military personnel, their spouse, and dependent children ages 0-18, from all six Service branches. National Guard are not eligible.
  • Spouse and children must travel with their service member unless the service member is deployed or on TDY at the time of travel.
  • Other relatives, including parents, grandparents and siblings, are not eligible to receive assistance. Flying a family member to an installation is not allowed.
  • Travel origination must be in the service area of one of the 12 ASYMCA branches. Travel destinations must be at least 350 miles from the service member’s duty station and can be anywhere in the world. Any amount over the $500 airline ticket value is the responsibility of the service member.
  • The application period for Operation Ride Home is based on the dates established by one of the 12 ASYMCA branches.
  • If selected, applicants may travel anytime November 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026.

Applicant Information

The 2025 application period is based on dates set by the 12 ASYMCA branches. Please visit the Find Your Ride Home page for more information or contact your local ASYMCA Branch with any questions.

Find Your Ride Home

How to Help

Generous annual donations from Jack Daniel’s, partner organizations, and donors like you make this program possible.  You can help make holidays brighter for a military family by making a gift, fundraising, or participating in one of the fundraisers hosted by the ASYMCA or Jack Daniels!

Jack Daniel's Barrel Trees

Purchase raw oak whiskey barrels from select Jack Daniel’s Barrel Trees across the United States! Locations are limited and restrictions apply. Follow the link for more info.

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Whether it’s making a gift or starting a fundraiser large or small, your contribution can help send more service members and military families home for the holidays.

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Official Partner of Operation Ride Home

Since Jack Daniel’s Operation Ride Home program began in 2011, the Jack Daniel’s Distillery and the Armed Services YMCA have helped 14,361 individual junior-enlisted service members, spouses and their children travel home for the holidays.

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Official Airlines of Operation Ride Home

American Airlines is proud to be the official airline of Jack Daniel’s Operation Ride Home, helping to bring military families fly home and reconnect them with their loved ones over the holidays.

Additional Funding Provided By

SUPPORT THE IMPORTANCE OF HOME

Each year, the number of military families asking for help to get home for the holidays exceeds the funding available. You can close this gap and help ensure no military family is left behind during the holidays.

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