A new online Defense Department system aims to make life easier for dependent ID card holders -– and their sponsor.
The system, called RAPIDS, lets common access card holders who need to get and renew ID cards for their dependents entirely avoid that super fun, often lengthy, trip to the ID card office.
In the past sponsors had to either personally carry the ID card form, DD-1172-2, to the ID card office or send a signed, notarized copy to the office with the dependent. By using the RAPIDS system, however, they can, using their CAC card, simply digitally sign the form from anywhere in the world. The office can then pull it up online once the person needing the ID is there.
The idea, said Mary Dixon, the head of the Defense Manpower Data Center which oversees the system, is to make it easier for families going through military separation or with a kid at college, to renew, update or replace their ID cards.
Since we like it when DoD makes life easier and paperwork less complicated, we think systems like this are fantastic. However, like many things in the military, it seems that this one just creates another redundancy: everything you can do with this digitally signed document can also be done with the special power of attorney for IDs and DEERS that every military family is encouraged to have on hand during any military separation.
I’m sure there are limited circumstances in which a servicemember would not want his spouse to hold such a POA. But since that POA can only be used for ID and DEERS changes and not for anything financial or even housing related, it seems unlikely that a servicemember would want to keep his spouse from having access to it. And, since the RAPIDS digital signature move currently does not do everything the POA can, such as allowing a spouse to register a new baby in DEERS, doing that in lieu of a POA isn’t a good idea either.
Dixon did describe one circumstance in which the digitally signed DD-1172 would be truly helpful: updating or replacing an ID belonging to a dependent in college. That person, she said, is unlikely to have POA but IS likely to need an ID card. With the digitally signed DD-1172 on file, the student could go to his nearest ID card facility and take care of business instead of waiting for his next break for a family pilgrimage to the ID office.
That makes sense. Let’s be honest, I have lost my military ID at least twice. (I make myself feel better about this by saying “that last pictured sucked — so glad to get a new one!” … even though the photos get progressively worse over time. What’s up with that?) Since I like to imagine that college students are even more careless than I am, needing an ID card replaced on the regular sounds like a pretty legitimate scenario.
The system is poised to offer additional tools in the future, Dixon said. For example, within the next year they hope to be testing a capability that will allow recruits to upload proof of dependents, such as marriage and birth certificates, into the system before they go to Basic instead of hauling them (and, let’s be honest, losing) them there. While at Basic they will be able to digitally sign the DD-1172, and their spouse and kids will be able to register in DEERS and get their ID cards before he even returns home as a brand spanking new member of the Armed Forces.
Fancy!
EDIT: To answer some questions in the comments regarding whether or not this applies to the Coast Guard — yes, it does! Unlike most DoD programs, which do not apply to the Coast Guard, this one does IF you have a CAC card. Sorry for the confusion and my mistake … good go Coast Guard!
Eventually, Dixon said, she wants the system to not only notify users when their ID cards are about to expire (because we know finding out it expired last month while trying to get on base sucks) but also allows users to simply show up at the ID card office to pick-up the already printed ID card.
Dixon, however, noted that she is not sure when that “eventually” will be.
We can dream, right?
About Amy Bushatz
Comments
A lot of people seem to think this is an issue…am I missing something? I got a new card while my husband was deployed last year with no problem at all. I walked in, said I needed a new ID and walked out with it. Am I missing something?
Did you have a power of Attorney or DD form 1172-2? Because if you didn't, then the person that did your card broke the rules. Because in the AFI it says dependents must have the sponsor present, a power of Attorny or a DD form 1172-2 in order to get an ID card. So this new way is awsome for the sponsor because where ever they go they can go to the Rapids Self Service site and approve their dependents and digitally sign the DD form 1172-2, where as before the spouse would have to hunt down their signifcant other at work and have them come meet them, or they would have to come in when they had spare time just to sign the form so the spouse can come back with it. It was even more of a pain with those who's spouses were deployed or TDY because they couldn't always get a hold of them, so when they finally did they would have to go to the DEERS office where they are at at the time to have them fax the signed 1172-2 to the DEERS office where you are. All for a dependent ID card, it's rediculous. So them being able to do it online save everybody time.
It is for some folks. With children in college its terribly inconvenient in some locations.
We're on RD and 80miles from the closest base… This will be very helpful as we have let our POA lapse out here!
I am a WWll Vet. I have been trying to get an I.D. CARD FOR OVER A YEAR now. So far no luck.; ????
Being a WWII Vet has me saying thank you for your service, but unless you retired after 20 years from the millitary, or were retired early for medical conditions, or were awarded through the veterans hospital a disability rating of 100% or 80% or more (plus unemployable) an ID card is not autherized…
However, you can get a veterans card through the VA hospital with a DD214 showing you were honorably discharged.
I like how the Coast Guard isn't represented in the above photo. Thanks for the support…
Eric we love the Coasties, but like I told Paul this has nothing to do with y'all. This only applies to DoD agencies. Sorry!!!
umm, get over it CG. . .
Thanks for including the oldest continuous sea service – THE COAST GUARD in your picture! That's okay we understand ignorance (insert sarcasm here).
Paul Coon GMC/ USCG
Coast Guard is not DOD, they are DHS (formerly DOT)…
Sorry Paul — we love the Coasties but they have nothing to do with this. This only applies to DoD services.
Funny, I don't think so because I get my ID cards for me and my family from a DOD facility! Again ignorance!
Let me educate you folks – googel 14USC1 and let me know what you think. Then, educate your friends!
J.B., I guess you can't read as an active duty member of the Coast Guard for the last 24+ years, I know what department the Coast Guard is under. Bet you didn't know before the Dept. of Transportation the Coast Guard belonged to the "other" DOT? Can you guess what this "T" stands for? rolling my eyes
Paul Coon GMC/USCG
Paul — I am not ignorant. But I am not in the Coast Guard and so I base all of my information on what DoD officials, including those who rolled out the program, tell me.
Just to make everything clear I have just sent a clarification question to the PAO who is working on this issue. She'll get us an answer within 24 hours. When I have it, I will edit the story above to make it clear. I am more than willing to be wrong on this one, and I do appreciate your input and interest. Really. Stay tuned!
Paul, can you disagree in a respectful manor? If a mistake has been made then allow Amy to correct the error. It's good to be corrected after making an error. There is no reason to be so rude. It's called "to respectfully disagree".
I'm not exactly sure I understand the issue here – but I believe that this is for all CAC card holders – which includes USCG, USPHS and NOAA Corps. Each of the seven uniformed services use the CAC card, and we all use RAPIDS to get our CAC cards. Same rules for everyone. I don't think there is anything "DOD Only" about this.
Really?? Come on, we are talking about the Coast Guard. . . The Coast Guard….. enough said!!
Paul — You can see the edit above. As for the photo, this is a stock photo from the DoD, like most of the photos we use. While it's great that those in the CG who have CAC cards (which, Im told by DoD sources, isn't everyone) can use this system, photos we use from the DoD are usually not going to include the Coast Guard in them. I can't really do anything about that.
Where I see this as helpful is in allowing family members to renew their ID card without the service member having to take time off his/her duty station. This will be especially true for Reserve Component families whose service member often has to take time away from a civilian job for ID renewal. IF it works as advertised, this will be a very good thing!
What if you are 100% DAV? Should I get or wife get a new card?
If this new system works as smoothly as it’s described, then I think it will be a positive move. How often is the scan going to get lost in the system? We will probably be carrying a copy with us because we all know how important it is to keep a copy of everything because it often times gets lost in the process
Some readers are asking, why is the process so difficult? For those families of Reservist it is difficult and scary. They often live 50 miles or more from the nearest ID Card or DEERS office and have to use the RAPIDS Site Locater to find a facility close to them. Families of Reservist navigate within the civilian world and then are thrown into the Military way of life when their Spouse is deployed. Some embrace it, some hate it.
Acronyms? When you hear DEERS you think animal. One DEERS location said that you can not get your new card until the day your Spouses orders go from activation alert to activate. Some places tell you, not until 7 days prior. HUH? UGH!!
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When I was in college and needed to renew my military id, my dad got crap for wanting to renew it months before it was scheduled to expire. I wasn’t planning on seeing him for another six months to one year (in which time it would be expired), and I could only do it with him around. It’s nice to know that the change will be helpful to some people.
How do I get wives card updated,I know by base, but can we get travel pay for 100% dav , Evan ,we have to drive over a hundred miles to get it?????
DO YOU HAVE A RESERVE TRAINING CENTER NEAR BY? THATS WHERE I TAKE MY WIFE TO GET HER CARD RENEWED. JACK N DILLARD SK1 RET USN
Michael — this is a site locator: http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/appj/site;jsessionid=…
Why is it that DD eorm 2 has not been updated to the new type ID cards that are here now?? The DD form 2 for retired folks is the old blue card vintage 1993. When photos are put into card the pic. is too dark/ too light. why not standardize all the cards, the same that has been done for all branches, for dependents etc. one type card with different status. or is it not cost effective,,,,,,
I am retired navy and need to get id cards for my children. Can I use this system? If so, can you provide me with the URL or link?
thanks!
Pete
why was my comment taken out?????
Andy — I see your comment. Was there another one you're missing?
I did served in the the military, 3 yrs active duty and 5 yrs in the National Guard, I was honorably discharged, when will you consider giving Commissary/PX privilege like me?
as soon as you have 20 years in
The system may work well for active, guard, reserve who as sponsors who have access to government computers with CAC readers. Willing to bet not many have them at home. Not so well with the majority of retirees who don’t. Need to work out the kinks to allow the option of either CAC or user/password access as many of the government links have. Seems like a great idea. As a military retiree working as a civilian contractor on a small guard/reserve installation in Georgia, it’s commonplace for long waiting times, if not turned away to obtain ID/CAC. I’m sure larger installations experience much the same on a smaller scale. Again, it’s a great idea. Just require more assessment.
non-CAC ID cards, retired AF Reservist, haven't reached age 60, my non CAC ID is good until age 60. On the other hand my wife has to renew hers, would like to see a system to make this process easier
I'm a military wife, my husband retired with 32 years. I am entitled to have a military ID for the rest of my life Why does my husband have to go with me to get my ID renewed? Such an inconvenience. Still have some bumps in the road to resolve and this is one of them………
Deborah – he actually does not have to. Like I wrote, you can take with you a power of attorney specific to military Id and deers. That is how I always take care of our Id issues.
I was told when my husband was deployed last time and I renewed my ID that a general POA was sufficient. However, the general POA I have that was issued by Navy Legal already includes a section on DEERS issues and ID cards, so that could be why. It was nice not to have to worry about a separate POA.
I retired from USAF with 27 Years service in 1979. I am 80 years of age. My ID card is INDEFINITE. My wife's ID card expired 9-03-2012. She has not been able to use her ID card for @ 4 years. I had put in the Lock Box. Yesterday I saw it and NOW do not know how or where to RENEW it. She is 78 years of age.
PLEASE AID ME.
Robert W. Griggs, SMS, USAF, Ret
Is there any problem using this if my ID expired in July, 2012? Husband will not get active orders for awhile yet.