Identification Cards

Authority: DoD Instruction http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/html/13412.htm http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/html/100013.htm COMDTINST M5512.1, Identification Cards for Members of the Uniformed Services, Their Family Members, and Other Eligible Personnel, chapter 9.

Web Links: You can find an ID issuing location at http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/ or http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/sites.

Additional information at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-w/g-wp/g-wpm/g-wpm-2/DEERS_RAPIDS.HTM & http://www.troa.org/PersonalAffairs/MilitaryID.asp & http://www.defenselink.mil/ra/mobil/index.html

Important Points:

· DoD and Coast Guard use the Real-Time Automated Personnel Identification System (RAPIDS) to issue members and their dependents distinct identification (ID) cards authorizing them to receive benefits and privileges.

· Spouses and eligible dependents of reservists should be enrolled in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment System (DEERS) and be issued red reserve dependent ID cards (DD Form 1173-1).

· ID cards serve as proof that individuals have been pre-enrolled in DEERS, which is an important first step in obtaining family member and dependent medical treatment when the service member is called to active duty for 31 consecutive days or more.

· When reservists are called to active duty for 31 days or more, their status in DEERS must be changed from reserve to active duty.

· Part of the processing for entry on active duty should also be the completion of a DD Form 1172, Application for Uniformed Services Identification Card — DEERS Enrollment, for each eligible family member and legal dependent.

· These applications, along with surrender of the red reserve dependent ID cards, will allow family members and dependents to receive the DD Form 1173 (tan ID cards).

· These cards will authorize appropriate medical, commissary, exchange and morale, welfare and recreation (MWR) benefits and privileges for the period of active duty specified on the members’ orders.

· Family members and eligible dependents are required to report to a RAPIDS ID card issuing site in order to be issued the appropriate ID card.

· Reservists can ask their commands for a list of ID card issuing locations in their area.

· Dependents may choose to keep the red reserve dependent ID cards if the reservist’s orders are for less than 270 days, but these cards do not authorize eligibility for medical benefits and commissary privileges in and of themselves. They will need to be accompanied by a copy of the service member’s orders to active duty. However, the red cards do authorize access to exchange and certain MWR privileges.