Sea Port of Embarkation (SPOE)
Air and sea ports of embarkation nodes include unloading and temporary storage of munitions from depots and loading and shipping munitions from the port. Air and sea ports of debarkation (PODs) nodes include the offloading of any conveyance, temporary storage, and shipment from the port by line-haul assets.

The supported CINC notifies the supporting CINCs and their components to task those units identified in the validated TPFDD for movement. The units begin to prepare for deployment in accordance with their mobility plan. Update and review of immunizations, wills, and individual pay are examples of the activities that occur during unit preparation. Those units whose point of origin is not collocated with the port of embarkation (POE) must prepare to move to the POE. Finally, those units designated in mobility plans as rapid reaction units must be ready to move and close within ten days.

Upon arrival at the SPOE the cargo is placed into a marshaling yard where it is inspected by the port operator and deploying forces transportation representative. This inspection verifies the cargo is packaged properly for the ship (deck height, angle, etc.). Minor maintenance, resupply, and equipment modifications can be performed while awaiting shipment. Once the loads are prepped in the marshaling yard, the troop commander, port operator, and MTMC-MSC representatives coordinate to berth the ship.

As the vessel readies for loading, equipment is sent from the marshaling area or installation to the staging area by the port commander based on a call forward plan. The MTMC port commander assumes custody of the cargo in the staging area. The PSA performs its functions, such as driving vehicles and correcting deficiencies, in the staging area. Equipment is then loaded onto the vessel.

Through its transportation component commands, the US Transportation Command is the Department of Defense-designated single port manager for all common-user aerial and sea ports worldwide. The single port manager performs those functions necessary to support the strategic flow of the deploying forces' equipment and sustainment from the aerial and sea port of embarkation and hand-off to the combatant commander in the aerial and sea port of debarkation (APOE and SPOD). The single port manager is responsible for providing strategic deployment status information to the combatant commander and to manage workload of the APOD and SPOD operator based on the commander's priorities and guidance. The single port manager is responsible through all phases of the theater aerial and sea port operations continuum, from a unimproved airfield and bare beach deployment to a commercial contract supported deployment.

Under the single port management concept of operations, USTRANSCOM is responsible for management of common-user ports of embarkation and debarkation. Movement to OCONUS POE (sea ports of embarkation/SPOEs and aerial ports of embarkation/APOEs) is the responsibility of the geographic combatant commander whose theater POEs are being used to support the deployment operation. Activities at POEs focus on staging, marshaling, and loading individuals, units, equipment, and materiel on designated transportation assets prior to movement to POD (sea ports of debarkation/SPODs and aerial ports of debarkation/APODs). Load planning is driven by the deployment concept and lift assets supporting deployment, the anticipated operational environment, and the anticipated situation at the POD to receive, offload, and reassemble mission capable organizations. In a typical deployment, commanders relinquish direct control of unit personnel and equipment when they embark on common-user lift assets at the POE. USTRANSCOM, through its subordinate TCCs, assumes transportation and reporting responsibilities for embarked personnel, equipment, and materiel until they arrive at the POD and unload from common-user lift. Transportation and reporting responsibilities include transporting, accounting for, tracking, and guiding deploying personnel, equipment, and material from the POE to the POD.