Army Auto Stickers

One can only hope that, at long last, the military will finally come to its senses. As a ret AF vet, it gets a bit tiresome to go onto a base and be required to go into the vistor center and ask for a pass as many bases still require that your ID card be presented whether you have a sticker or not. A couple of years ago, Fort Carson, CO even went to far as to require a vistor pass for folks with a valid sticker from another base - do not know if that rule is still in effect! last year, while in San Diego, I attempted to enter the 32nd Street NEX/Commisary complex and was turned away due to no base sticker - the complex is just a big shopping center, nothing more, and you still must show your ID card for entry in the various "stores". I do not know if Carson and 32nd Street are/were unique, but the examples are indicative of just how crazy the base entry situation has become.

John

It's a mixed bag!

Sticker's should be obsolete as they were originally designed to validate current registrations and insurance in a database. I'm told the AF reasoned that since States law required both these items be current, base registration was redundant.

On the the other hand, I agree with the Defense Biometric ID Systems (DBIDS) and the scan check of EVERYONE entering and enclosed area where soldiers gather to sleep, shop or recreate.

Even generic swipe readers can pull your data off of States Driver's Licenses, better yet readers can instantaniously query DEERS and barment lists on military ID cards.

ID/Dr. Lic scan everyone, a vehicle of five should only take a few seconds.

Ft Knox, Ky still requires as does Mid-South Naval at Millington, Tn as of last week.

Bremerton/Kitsap in Washington require base stickers.

As of Nov, 5th Fort Meade no longer requires DOD decals for entry.

if you think base stickers are a problem for r.v.s and cars, wait till you try and get one for your motorcycle. last june i went to lemoore. i had my trike, towing my kwik kamp.

i went to the pass office to get a decal for my bike. had i.d. (retired navy) registration, insurance. no dice !

they wanted proof that i had attended a motorcycle safety course. i told them my state did not require one, they said it had to be one put on by the navy ! i asked how that would be possible as i was retired now and didn't have access to those schools. she was unsypathetic and just denied me access.

last month we were staying on lemoore in the 5th wheel. i went to the base safety office with all my paperwork, including photos, to see why i was denied access. well, first of all they do require the course, and you can take it free if you are on base, retired or not. but second - there is no class dealing with trikes. once a third wheel is added, all bets are off. they consider it a small car. so i had him print out the DOD requirements so the next time i have a similer problem i have the rules with me.

the navy needs to re-consider using civilians in the security offices, or train them better.