Military Dependent ID Card
As a military spouse, you will need a special ID card, United States Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card (Department of Defense [DD] Form 1173). This ID card will enable you to use most of the facilities on military bases, such as the BX / PX / NEX or CG Exchange (the military's retail store) and the Commissary (the military family's grocery store). An ID card will also enable you access to services, such as legal advice or medical care.
All family members over the age of 10 must have an ID card. To get a government ID card, you must first be registered in DEERS, as mentioned previously. Then, the service-member fills out and signs a form (DD Form 1172) to apply for the card. A supervisor from your service member's unit must also sign the form. You take it, along with another photo ID, such as a driver's license, to a location where ID cards are made. You must go yourself because the ID includes a photograph, which is made at the place of issue.
You can get an ID card at any active duty military base or post (Army, Air Force, Navy, or Marine) and some Reserve Component and National Guard locations, Coast Guard bases, and Public Health Service offices. You can go to the Defense Manpower Data Center's Web site at http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/ to find locations that issue ID cards. This site will provide you with the address and telephone number of one or more sites in your area. Use the telephone number listed to check when the facility is open, and call ahead to make sure you have the documents that are needed.
Once you have your ID card, besides having access to on installation activities, you will be able to use the exchanges and commissaries operated by the Navy, Air Force, Army, Marines, and Coast Guard on their bases. In many places you have to show your ID card to get access to the post or base and at the exchange or commissary. Because of its importance, you should always carry your ID card with you and guard it carefully. If the ID card is lost, it must be reported to the Military Police immediately.
Who is eleigible
Dependent children continue to be eligible for the military benefits and entitlements card or ID card until they reach the age of 21 unless they marry, join the active service or a court order terminates all parental rights. Dependent children may also continue to be eligible for benefits and entitlements up to their 23rd birthday.
The eligibility criteria for benefits and entitlement up to their 23rd birthday are as follows: unmarried and enrolled in a full time accredited institution of higher learning and dependent upon the sponsor for over 50 percent of their support.
Individuals not eligible for benefits and entitlements include those dependents not enrolled full time in school performing missionary duties as part of a school's requirement to obtain a degree or students enrolled less than full time in two institutions of higher learning may not combine hours to qualify as full time students. Full time students are defined as being enrolled in at least 12 semester hours.
Documentation required for dependents to obtain benefits and entitlements past their 21st birthday is a letter from the school registrar certifying full-time course of study leading to an associate degree or higher and the anticipated graduation date.
If you are establishing medical benefits and therefore an ID for a child in a divorce situation or for a child born out of wedlock be sure to read through this document from Defense Finance and Accounting Service: "Obtaining Medical Support from Military Personnel".
Do you have more questions? Visit MilitaryAvenue's Answers. The military community is ready and willing to help. If you have a question that needs immediate assistance visit the RAPIDS site and call your local ID Processing center.
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