Travel from Italy with a layover in Munich to United States on Military ID?
 

A good friend of mine is stationed in Italy. He has leave orders coming up and was supposed to take the plane off of base home but there were no more seats. He purchased a commercial airline ticked from Venice to Munich to the US. Will he be able to use his Military ID and leave orders to travel through customs or will he need a passport?

I am sure he already has a passport. We were stationed in Italy and received military-issued passports which we used to travel to/from US and around Europe.

I don't believe he has one

there is NO exception for military traveling on commercial flights he will have to get a passport. No fee passports are available through the military - he should ask at his base.

PS it is likely they will not let him even board the aircraft to the US w/ out a passport #.

Passport is not always necessary when traveling on official military business. As per DHS:

"U.S. citizens can present a passport, NEXUS card at airports with NEXUS kiosks, U.S. military ID with travel orders, or a U.S. Merchant Mariner Document when on official business."

Of course how this is handled if other country borders ar crossed is another matter.

Nonetheless, a real State Dept issued passport is the best bet.