SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Starting Sep. 15, 50th Security Forces Squadron will implement the REAL ID Act of 2005. Individuals who do not possess military issued credentials and have a standard state-issued identification card from Minnesota, Missouri, Washington or American Samoa, will not be able to gain access to the installation.
“Security is always evolving and the enemy, whether it is criminal or terrorist threats, are finding ways to circumvent the system to get onto installations. The REAL ID act is basically a way to plug those holes in order to ensure that the individuals who are entering installations are properly vetted and they are who their ID says they are,” said Maj. Michael Speck, 50 SFS commander. “We have to constantly evolve as we move forward because the enemy is constantly evolving.”
The REAL ID Act was created in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Most of the terrorists involved had Florida and Virginia driver’s licenses. Prompting congress to tighten up issuance processes and documentation needed to get a driver’s license.
Now, compliant cards 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.
“The safety of our service members, civilians and families on the base are of the upmost importance. We are continuously examining ways to make our installation and facilities safer,” said Master Sgt. Jasen Rodriguez, 50 SFS plans and programs chief.
While non-complaint state identification will not be accepted, there are alternate forms of ID individuals may use. They would only need one of the following if being escorted onto the installation by an individual with a federal issued credential or one of the following with a driver’s license to gain unescorted entry onto Schriever:
United States Passport
Permanent Resident Card/Alien Registration Card (Form I-551)
Foreign passport with (I-551) stamp
United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Legacy Card
United States Coast Guard New Merchant Mariner Credential
United States Social Security Card
Original birth certificate
Certification of birth abroad (issued by the Department of State)
United States Citizen ID Card (Form I-197)
Foreign Military or Host Nation passport
Government ID Credentials
Individuals who possess Enhanced Driver’s Licenses from Minnesota or Washington, which contain Radio Frequency Identification chips, will not be affected. Individuals with driver’s licenses from Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Utah and Vermont are valid; unless they have a statement printed on the face of the ID “Not for Federal Identification” or “Federal Limits Apply.”
“Personnel in possession of valid federal government issued credentials, for instance a common access card, retiree ID, dependent ID, will not be affected by this policy. It does not affect the current procedures for minors as well,” said Rodriguez.
Additionally, the REAL ID act’s purposes is not to build a national database with information on all individuals. Each state still maintains its own records, unique licenses and controls who gets access to those records and when.
For further information concerning the REAL ID Act implementation on Schriever, call 567-5620.
To review a full list of REAL ID Act and non-compliant states, visit https://www.dhs.gov/current-status-states-territories.