Enhanced access control: Frequently Asked Questions, Information - Updated April 2

By JBM-HH Public AffairsApril 15, 2015

JBM-HH enhanced access control measures
A Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall security guard checks a drive's identification before granting access to the Fort Myer portion of the joint base in February of 2013. JBM-HH is phasing in enhanced security and access control measures to improve safet... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

UPDATE: April 1, Visitor Control Center - new hours of operation**

UPDATE: Feb. 27, Access for Bikers, Pedestrians link added

**VCC - The new VCC hours of operation are:

8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (with full staff)

3:30 to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Friday (with minimum staffing)

8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday (with minimum staffing)

Sunday - Closed

1) When will the enhanced access control procedures take effect?

The procedures became visible to those entering and departing JBM-HH Monday, Feb.16. We continuously monitor traffic congestion on and off base to maintain safety and security of residents, employees and visitors.

2) What impact will this have on me or my guests?

DoD ID card holders (active and reserve component military personnel and their family members; retired military personnel and their family members; and federal workers and cleared contract personnel) -- may enter JBM-HH, including Fort Myer and Henderson Hall, Va. -- and Fort McNair, District of Columbia, by presenting a Common Access Card (CAC) or DoD or other federally-affiliated ID card.

All non-DoD of non-federally-affiliated ID card holders and drivers of commercial delivery vehicles (includes visitors and contractors who do not qualify for DoD ID cards -- volunteers, church goers and nannies, for example) will be directed to Hatfield Gate -- Washington Boulevard at South 2nd Street, Arlington, on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base; and Second Street Gate -- 2nd Street, south of P Street on the Fort McNair portion of the joint base.

These non-DoD- or non-federally-affiliated visitors could include someone who is your guest, and they must receive an NCIC-III (National Crime Information Center) criminal history check prior to being granted access. To prevent long lines and backups at the access control points, these non-DoD-affiliated visitors are encouraged to pre-register at the Visitor Control Center in Building 415, on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base. You may be directed to be escorted by a DoD or federally-affiliated ID card holder to your destination or to the Visitor Control Center (VCC) for processing.

3) If I am not eligible for a DoD ID card (I am a non-DoD- non-federally-affiliated visitor) what happens if I do not pre-register?

If not pre-registered, you will be directed to Hatfield Gate at Washington Boulevard and 2nd Street on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base or to the 2nd Street Gate on the Fort McNair portion of JBM-HH where you will be subject to in-lane vetting (search lane inspection and background vetting). This may delay your entry onto JBM-HH; and/or you may be directed to be escorted by a DoD- or federally-affiliated ID card holder to your destination or to the Visitor Control Center (VCC) for processing.

4) As a visitor (non-DoD, non-federally-affiliated), do I have to undergo screening to enter JBM-HH?

Personnel record screening is a voluntary procedure. Before you are screened, you will be required to fill out a Request and Authorization for Criminal Records release form. Personnel who do not wish to undergo screening checks are not authorized access.

5) As a non-DoD, non-federally-affiliated visitor, what information do I need to pre-register/register?

You will need to present a valid driver's license or other valid government identification and a completed request for JBM-HH access. At the VCC, you will have your photo taken, submit a fingerprint and have a National Criminal Information Center interstate identification Index (NCIC-III) criminal history record check conducted by one of the VCC registrars.

6) What is an NCIC-III check?

NCIC -- National Crime Information Center -- helps criminal justice professionals apprehend fugitives, locate missing persons, recover stolen property and identify terrorists. It also assists law enforcement officers in performing their official duties more safely and provides them with information necessary to aid in protecting the general public.

7) What issues would prevent someone from coming onto JBM-HH?

Visitors with an outstanding arrest warrant, recent felony convictions or who are listed in the Terrorist Screening Database will not be allowed access. Convicted murderers, drug dealers, child pornographers and human traffickers, those with firearms convictions and other predetermined disqualifying convictions of certain criminal offenses will also be prohibited, and if appropriate, will be turned over to legal authorities.

8) If I have previously been issued a Centralized Operations Police Suite (COPS -- the JBM-HH issued access) pass, do I need to re-register for an Automated Installation Entry (AIE) pass?

No. This COPS pass is valid and will be accepted through the document expiration date. COPS passes will be replaced and reissued with AIE passes upon expiration.

9) As a DoD ID card holder, do I need to register my ID card now?

No, not at this time. Specific information will be made available in the near future.

10) After I undergo screening, how long before I receive my pass to come on the base? Will I get the pass the same day I apply, or should I allow for a certain amount of time, say "next day" service?

Those who successfully meet vetting criteria will be issued a temporary visitor pass for four days at the access control point, allowing entry into the installation without repeated vetting. Personnel may report to the installation VCC 24 hours later to complete processing for the photo pass.

11) Can I send in a visitor pass request on-line prior to my visit?

Unfortunately, at this time, we cannot accept visitor/contractor pass applications online because of the Personally Identifiable Information (PII) the application will necessarily contain. When we can ensure your privacy, we will change this and allow the pass request to be submitted online.

Feel free to download (above) or copy and paste these links into your address bar to download these forms: www.slideshare.net/JBMHH/acp-visitor (for Visitor) and www.slideshare.net/JBMHH/acp-contractor (for Contractor).

Print the form, fill it out and bring it to the VCC, Building 415 on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base. It is always a good idea to make a copy for your files. We cannot provide copies. After the appropriate checks are complete, personnel from the VCC will call you with the next steps to take. Vetting may take up to three days.

12) Where can I get more information on the policy or request assistance?

The policy will be posted at the JBM-HH website at www.army.mil/jbmhh once finalized. You can visit the VCC, Fort Myer, Building 415, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Email your questions to usarmy.jbmhh.asa.mbx.des-access-q-a@mail.mil.

The Frequently Asked Questions will be updated as more information becomes available at www.army.mil/jbmhh.

Related Links:

Access for Bicyclists, Pedestrians

Contractor Pass Application

Visitor Pass Application

Bikers, Pedestrians - Access Control Press Release