Base Sticker

Yes, I understand that -- but the issue I was addressing was one that some bases don't require a sticker now -- but Newport does (I think all Navy does) ... some bases don't, some do. But even with 100% ID check, sticker is required, and I think it has to do with insurance -- although I don't know what bases do with no sticker, because then the guard would have to check everyone's insurance certificate, or take the chance of a vehicle with no insurance. So, I don't know how that works because I've always had a sticker ...

It's becoming an issue, that people using the different services facilities, shouldn't have to deal with. DOD issued stickers have become obsolete and each service shouldn't impose their own rules. You have an ID card and all services now have 100% check, so why go to the trouble of having you get a pass. If Insurance is an issue, then simply show your insurance card when you show your ID. I think letters to Congressmen and copy DOD is in order. It's a hassel we shouldn't have to deal with.

d.bentley

Bentley, You are exactly right. All the services need to be UNIFORM. The sticker thing is just a hassel and for the base it is a PITA. The amount of time and personnel utilized to issue stickers cost no matter how you look at it. If they are going to require 100% ID check then DO IT ALL TOGETHER! You are right though that this difference is annoying and should be brought up to higher levels. I would say go directly to the Sec. of Defense. We need to establish some sort of mechinism so that we can report this as a group to have a bigger impact.

I'm in Texas City, TX, and Ellington Field (Old Ellington AFB)is the closest military installation about 25 miles away. Since 1984, after retiring from USMC I have been getting my decal from there. The last one I picked up was in August 2007. Drove in to the gate, parked, took the insurance papers in, showed ID, filled out paper work, handed decal with expiration year, I walked out and when I got home put the decal on. There is a 100% ID check and a decal is not necessary to get into the base. Just show an ID card and tell them where you are going - as if they cared.

I have since sold that vehicle and purchased the MH and TOAD. I had temporary paper plates on the TOAD when I drove in there one day a few weeks ago, but permanent plates for the MH. I had all the paper work for the MH, including the registration receipt which is not required to carry except in a commercial vehicle.

Nope! MH had to be present. Went and spoke with security NCOIC, but nothing could be done. I would have to drive the MH around the barricades, park it, and get the decal. Ok! No problem. Next time up the highway I'll stop by and get the decal for the MH.

A week later the dealer called me with plates for the MH. This includes the registration sticker for the window, registration receipt, and metal plates. Well, I'll go to DMV and get the disabled veteran plates. DMV gave me registration "STICKER" for windshield, registration receipt, plate manufacture receipt and paper plate, all with the same registration number indicated on each. I put on the plate, attached the sticker.

Went to Ellington. Nope! Even though all the numbers match, have to have metal plate. Even though there is a 100% ID card check. Spoke to NCOIC again and NCOIC agreed it seemed weird.

Change the scenario. When I had dealer original sticker and metal plates issued from DMV, I should have gone directly to Ellington, got the decal, and then gone to DMV and applied for DV plates. Hmmm! Something eludes me here.

To me the decal is a prestigious item that identifies the owner as a retired military member. I always look for them in CG's, because, even if we were in different branches of the military, we have a common bond - "Lifer." It's like the special emblems revered by the sub mariner, or the Eagle denoting a Col. or Capt. Besides being retired, they have another common bond with other retired members.

I'm also retired from NASA and after 9/11 they went to a 100% badge check with touch. They have to touch each badge that comes through the gate at Johnson Space Center. You would be surprised at how fast that goes.

Now, on the funny side. One day when out to lunch with the Inspector General's Office, on the way back into the site, I asked the driver to switch ID's with me as a test. "She" laughed and handed me her NASA Badge, and I handed her my "old man" badge. The guard only has to touch the driver's badge, but has to visually see that everyone else has a badge. He touched her badge, with my picture on it, and looked at the others and waved us through.

I did report it to the Chief of Security - a good friend, and rubbed it in a little.

So much for security!!!!

you will never take the human factor out of any system, as long as a human is involved. Repeated daily humdrum of checking ID's builds in that human factor of simply being a routine, humdrum affair. There's a better way, but the cost would probably never be worth the effort. But, as I repeat, having all these different systems in place, is not cost effective. Simply checking your ID seems to be the most effective. That was my point

Continuing about the cost --

When I went to the ID section at Newport to get my truck sticker renewed, one guy sat at the counter (chairs and room for three guys) and took my application. FOUR other guys sat at desks behind him, and seemed to be doing very little - sorta watching the line grow behind me. Well, this one guy did me, and began on the next guy behind me in a line of about six people.

No one else got up to help. Each "other guy" simply watched the line grow and did nothing. And, if each other had been busy, or even apparently busy, that's one thing ... but no one seemed to be doing anything but sitting at a desk watching. So not only is it an added expense for stickers and paperwork, a building / room was in use and manned by four people, only one of whom actually worked at the 'sticker issue' job.

And in reality, with today's CPUs, a sticker and an ID card are not that difficult to create.

I for one, absolutely believe in base security, but the vehicle sticker is obsolete if it's not consistent nationwide, and if we have 100% ID check -- although there is the issue about insurance. But an insurance card and an ID card take same amount of time to view at the gate.