Area I personnel learn about post access

By Pfc. Jamal Walker IMCOM KOREAFebruary 19, 2009

Area I personnel learn about post access
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

USAG-RED CLOUD - Representatives from Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation, Directorate of Logistics, Directorate of Emergency Services, the 17th Ordinance Company and G9 employees came to the USAG-RC Education Center Feb. 11 to learn more about the installations access control policies and procedures.

The main focus of the class was to instruct personnel how to apply for passes to get on the installation and vehicle decals. The class also notified personnel about the changes made in a few areas for requesting a pass. For example, there will no longer be guest passes because guest passes are now considered as good neighbor passes.

The steps one must take to apply for an installation pass are different than in the past, but they can be reviewed in United States Forces Korea Form 82 E, and USFK regulations Form 190-7 and 190-1; revised as of Oct. 1, 2008. The form, which governs the application for registering vehicles decals can be found in USFK Form 195EK-E, published July 31, 2008.

Background checks, authorized for some passes, were discussed in the class as well. There are three types of background checks conducted by the Korean NPA and the United States Embassy-Korea.

"We have a new system, which is giving out passes in a timelier manner even if the applicant's background check is not finished. Because, in some cases, a background check can take as long as 60 days," said Anthony Iafelice, USAG-RC access control officer. "However," Iafelice added, "if something negative does come up in the background check, the plan of action is up to the approving command for the pass, and in some cases, the pass can be revoked, restricted, or just ignored depending on the severity of the negative comment."

The approval process will be the same for parties requesting either a vehicle decal or an installation pass. The approving authority is either, Richard Davis, USAG-RC deputy garrison commander, Lt. Col Donald Meisler, USAG-Casey garrison commander, or Col. Larry 'Pepper' Jackson, USAG- Red Cloud commander.

Before ending the class, Iafelice concluded with some helpful hints on how to speed up the application process for passes and decals while explaining common errors he finds while reviewing the applications.

"It really is attention to detail, explain very clearly why you need the pass and make sure everything is filled out," said Iafelice. "Most passes are sent back to the requestor because of some simple mistake. These errors can be avoided,"