Navy Installations Begin Enforcement of REAL ID Act

[Tony 540]

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Navy installations worldwide will no longer authorize base access for individuals who do not have an approved U.S. government-issued credential or state driver's license that is compliant with the REAL ID Act of 2005.

Driver's licenses from Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico, Washington, and American Samoa are not compliant with the congressionally-mandated REAL ID Act of 2005 and therefore personnel seeking base access from these states will require a secondary form of identification. 

Washington and Minnesota enhanced driver's licenses, however, which do meet the REAL ID Act requirements, will be accepted.

Navy installations will require visitors who present a driver's license from a non-compliant state or territory to provide an additional form of identification. Examples include a U.S. passport or passport card; employment authorization document (card); foreign passport with an I-551 stamp; federal, state or local government ID, Social Security card without restrictions; student ID with photo; original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued in the U.S., or a Native American Tribal document U.S. citizen identification card (Form I-179). 

"Information about the Real ID Act has been shared with our installations and we are working with our security personnel to ensure awareness of base access changes," said Capt. Anthony Calandra, director of public safety for the Navy Installations Command. "We are implementing this process in accordance with the Department of Defense (DoD), which recently announced that all DoD installations would comply with the Act." 

Installation commanding officers (COs) may waive DoD access control requirements for special situations, such as air shows or other public events. Visitors may also enter Navy installations under a "Trusted Traveler" procedure. This procedure allows a uniformed service member or Government employee with a valid Common Access Card (CAC), a military retiree (with a valid DoD identification credential), or an adult dependent of at least 16 years of age (with a valid DoD identification credential) to present their identification token for verification while simultaneously vouching for any vehicle occupants. A contractor who has been issued a CAC may, with the permission of the CO, be authorized as a Trusted Traveler. The number of people a Trusted Traveler is allowed to vouch for and/or sponsor at any one time is determined by the installation commander or designated representative. 

Procedures for currently authorized identification cards for access onto Navy installations such as the DoD CAC, DoD uniformed services identification and privileges cards, federal personal identification verification cards or transportation workers' identification credentials will not change. 

The REAL ID Act grew out of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Congress tightened up issuance processes and documentation needed to get a driver's license. Compliant cards must have specific security features to prevent tampering, counterfeiting or duplication of the document. The licenses also must present data in a common, machine-readable format. 

Additional REAL ID Act resources: 
- Background and information: www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/418

- Questions and answers: www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs. 

Navy Installations Command comprises more than 52,000 military and civilian employees across 70 installations under 11 regions worldwide supporting the fleet, fighter and family. 

For more information about Navy shore installations, visit http://www.cnic.navy.mil.