FORT BRAGG, N.C. - A fast and easy appointment with the I.D. card facility is just a click away, thanks to the Army's new kiosks, which allow customers to choose the time that works best for them. Scheduled appointments typically take 18 minutes, versus the 30 minutes to two hours that walk-in customers will wait to complete a transaction.

Although the appointment system has been in effect since September, the new kiosks bring the convenience of appointment scheduling to people who are already at the Soldier Support Center.

Two computer kiosks, one next to the first floor coffee shop and one near the ID card waiting area, allow customers to search open slots and schedule the time that fits into their lifestyle.

More kiosks are planned for the Womack Army Medical Center, the PX mini malls, U.S. Army Special Operations Command headquarters and possibly Cross Creek Mall.

"Now it's on the World Wide Web where they can go and request an appointment, but if they have access on Bragg they can actually make their own appointment," said Laurie Marks, chief of personnel processing branch, Military Personnel Division. "We're trying to tout the benefits of how great it is to have an appointment because you come in and get in and out - you go over to the counter, you get processed and you're on your way," added Marks.

On average, the Fort Bragg I.D. card facility creates 80,000 identification cards a year and completes over half a million transactions for active-duty personnel, their dependents, retirees, reservists, civilian contractors, general schedule employees, VIPs and students. In July alone, more than 10,000 people visited the facility for identification cards, PIN resets and related transactions. Scheduled appointments are a priority, while walk-in times vary depending on the time of day, day of the week, and prior customer appointments.

How simple and secure is the kiosk appointment system' "Really, all we need is a name and phone number or name and address ... That's one less database full of people's social security numbers," said Joe Grant, assistant chief, Deputy Military Personnel Division. Customers who want verification of appointment times may also include an email address, said Grant.

Other than scheduling an appointment, it's important to bring two forms of official identification to the I.D. card facility. This includes one piece of photo identification and a birth certificate, social security card or other approved document.

To learn more about the one-stop process, schedule appointments or provide feedback, visit www.bragg.army.mil/dhr/idcf.asp. The I.D. card facility is located on the first floor of the Soldier Support Center, front entrance. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.