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Base access to soon require REAL ID

By Chad MenegayOctober 12, 2023

Base access to soon require REAL ID
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Effective Jan. 1, 2024, you will need a REAL ID to access Fort Gregg-Adams. Installation physical security specialists will no longer solely accept a state-issued identification that does not meet the REAL ID Act of 2005 standards. (U.S. Army graphic by Stephen Baker) (Photo Credit: Stephen Baker) VIEW ORIGINAL
Base access to soon require REAL ID
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Effective Jan. 1, 2024, you will need a REAL ID to access Fort Gregg-Adams. Installation physical security specialists will no longer solely accept a state-issued identification that does not meet the REAL ID Act of 2005 standards. (U.S. Army graphic by Stephen Baker) (Photo Credit: Stephen Baker) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT GREGG-ADAMS, Va. — Effective Jan. 1, 2024, you will need a REAL ID to access Fort Gregg-Adams.

At that time, the installation physical security specialists will no longer solely accept a state-issued identification that does not meet the REAL ID Act of 2005 standards.

All Department of Defense-issued identification cards. Those already entered into the system with a valid access pass, or possessing a Common Access Card, military ID, military dependent ID, or a federal government-issued PIV, may enter post as normal.

First-time visitors or personnel with expired passes must register online or at the Visitor Control Center, which is open 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. weekdays. Visitors may expedite this process by submitting a pre-approval request, which is highly encouraged for those personnel outside of the state/local area.

According to the Directorate of Emergency Services, the purpose of REAL ID is to make identity documents more consistent and secure.

The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.”

The Act established minimum security standards for license issuance and production and prohibits certain federal agencies from accepting for certain purposes driver’s licenses and identification cards from states not meeting the Act’s minimum standards.

As of March 26, 2021, 55 states and territories are fully compliant with the REAL ID requirements, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

To see the various states’ compliance status visit: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id

REAL ID-compliant cards will have a star marking on the upper top portion of the card. If the card does not have one of these markings, it is not REAL ID-compliant and won’t be accepted as proof of identity to access the base.

Those licenses and identification cards not REAL ID compliant will clearly state on their face that the card is not acceptable for official purposes (not valid for federal purposes, not for use as federal identification, federal limits apply, or any other similar phrase).

According to DES, if the ID is not a real-ID compliant identification card, people are required to provide a second form of identification, such as a U.S. passport or a certified birth certificate.

The following combinations of source identity documents will be accepted: ​

​(1) TWIC (Transportation Workers Identification Card) used in conjunction with a driver’s license issued by a state, territory, possession, or the District of Columbia that is not REAL ID-compliant bearing the same name and similar photograph. In this situation: ​

(a) The TWIC is the credential used to establish identity for the purpose of access control. ​

(b) The non-REAL ID-compliant driver’s license is used to establish identity for the purpose of force protection. ​

​(2) VHIC (Veteran’s Health Identification Card) used in conjunction with a driver’s license issued by a State, territory, possession, or the District of Columbia that is not REAL ID-compliant bearing the same name and similar photograph. In this situation: ​

(a) The VHIC is the credential used to establish identity for the purpose of access control. ​

(b) The non-REAL ID-compliant driver’s license is used to establish identity for the purpose of force protection. ​

(3) Original or certified true copy of a birth certificate bearing a raised seal, social security card, and driver’s license issued by a State, territory, possession, or the District of Columbia that is not REAL ID-compliant. All three documents must bear the same name, or a former name as documented on acceptable name change documentation such as a court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree. In this situation: ​

(a) The birth certificate and social security card are used to establish identity for the purpose of access control.​

(b) The non-REAL ID-compliant driver’s license is used to establish identity for the purpose of force protection.

Visitor(s) requesting access without a REAL ID Act compliant form of identification or who cannot provide supplemental identity proofing documents as listed above may be denied access.

Digital driver’s licenses or identifications are not accepted and cannot be used as a form of identification for the purpose of identity vetting to gain escorted or unescorted access to Army Installations.

For specific questions, the VCC can be reached by telephone at 804-734-5053.