EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – The 96th Security Forces Squadron will begin 100 percent identification checks for anyone accessing the installation in May.
Visitors who do not have a DOD issued ID card will need to get a visitor pass.
“Our current security and information environment requires us to make this policy change,” said Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Geraghty, 96th Test Wing commander. “We’re committed to safeguarding Eglin’s vital national resources.”
Uniformed service members, their dependents (over the age of 16), DOD employees, and retirees can sponsor these passes, which can be obtained at the East Gate and West Gate visitor control centers until the new Air Force Armament Museum VCC opens in May. To prevent traffic at the gates, it is recommended people start getting their visitors passes now.
Passes are good for up to 60 days. However, if a visitor pass is required for more than 60 days, a commander’s approval is needed and can then be issued for up to a year except for retirees. Retirees with visitors will need to renew those passes every 60 days. Passes should be shredded or turned back into the VCC when no longer needed.
People can also process REAL IDs into the Defense Biometric Identification System, a networked database system designed to easily verify access authorization of people entering military installations at the VCCs.
Registering a REAL ID in DBIDS will alleviate gate congestion if an ID card holder forgets it at home or in a CAC reader. The REAL ID can also be used by retirees to access the base if they lose their ID or it’s expired.
For more information, please contact the 96th Test Wing Public Affairs Office at 850-882-3931.