RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Gate guards will soon scan the ID cards of incoming motorists on a trial basis to test Randolph's new base-entry system.
The 902nd Security Forces Squadron will begin this "socialization" phase for the Defense Biometric Identification System sometime this month, possibly as early as next week.
"We want to make sure guards are trained and people are getting used to having their cards scanned," said Master Sgt. Andrew Rodriguez, 902nd SFS Installation Security Section NCO in charge. "The socialization phase will definitely take place during non-peak traffic hours; it will not create a safety hazard. We want to make sure everybody knows the system and is seeing how it works."
He said one way people can expedite the process, both during the socialization phase and when DBIDS is fully operational later this year, is to take their ID cards out of their wallets or card holders so there is no delay when guards scan their cards.
Sergeant Rodriguez also said motorists whose cards are scanned but are not registered for DBIDS will be briefed on the requirement and encouraged to register as soon as possible.
Active-duty and civilian personnel, including contractors, began registering their ID cards for DBIDS in January according to a unit schedule prepared by the 902nd SFS. Open registration for retirees, dependents and personnel not able to make it during their scheduled time began May 3 and will conclude June 30; the remaining open registration periods are next week at the Rambler Fitness Center, June 21-25 at the base exchange and June 28-30 at the commissary.
However, after June 30, people will still be able to register their ID cards at the Randolph Visitor Center, Bldg. 1021, or at the ID card office, Bldg. 399. The visitor center housed two permanent stations throughout the registration period while a mobile station has moved to various locations throughout the process.
DBIDS, an Air Force-wide initiative to enhance force protection, employs scanning devices to manage access at DoD installations. When an ID card is registered for DBIDS, it is imbedded with information that enhances the identification process. DBIDS provides a connection to law enforcement databases and allows guards to spot legitimate versus bogus ID cards, Sergeant Rodriguez said.
Other benefits are giving guards visual and audible crosschecks to verify identities, allowing ID cardholders to enter any base within the region they have permission to enter and providing retirees with permanent registration, he said.
Sergeant Rodriguez said DBIDS registration is now part of in- and out-processing at Randolph. People who receive their DoD ID card in Bldg. 399 - or have to obtain a new one - should also get it registered for DBIDS, which requires a waiting period of about 30 minutes.
He estimated that some 20,000 people have registered their ID cards for DBIDS.
"I think we're doing well for our registration phase," Sergeant Rodriguez said.
He also asked active-duty personnel and retirees to make sure their dependents' ID cards are registered.