LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
The pass and registration office and the ID card customer service section are frequently linked together. Often thought of as one and the same, both are repeatedly called "Pass and ID;" both being housed in Bldg. 5616 may further the misconception.
However, pass and registration and ID card customer service are separate offices that belong to different squadrons. Pass and registration falls under the 802nd Security Forces Squadron, ID card customer service under the 802nd Force Support Squadron.
"ID card customer service issues the CACs (Common Access Cards), retiree and dependent ID cards," said Staff Sgt. Stacie Smith, Pass and Registration NCO in charge.
"Those cards then have to be registered into DBIDS (Defense Biometric Identification System) at pass and registration to get through the gate."
Pass and registration oversees DBIDS, a Department of Defense-wide system that came online last year at Lackland to enhance installation security and improve force protection. But DBIDS is not the only function at pass and registration.
All contractor and special event passes are issued through pass and registration after a criminal history background check is conducted for each pass request.
"Unless they are military affiliated with an authorized DOD-issued ID or DBIDS card, no one comes onto this base without a background check," Sergeant Smith said.
"That's why we request the individual names in advance. We do criminal history checks on each individual. Background checks are also done when someone comes through one of the Visitor Reception Centers."
It's not unusual for the 802nd SFS to process more than 3,000 background checks a week, in addition to handling walk-in customers and phone queries.
"We've always got one person in the back doing background checks," Sergeant Smith said. "And if we're not busy up front, they're running checks."
The section also issues restricted area badges, conducts fingerprinting and registers privately-owned weapons. Lackland policy requires Airmen living in base housing or dormitories to register privately owned weapons in their possession.
The pass and registration NCOIC believes customer service is important.
"Our No. 1 priority is the customer," she said. "We really enjoy our customers. It's all about giving good service, smiling and having a positive attitude in getting the job done."