The Army identification card is issued to the Army member at the same time as his dependents, which is typically his wife and children. Army identification cards are only issued to children who are 10 years or older if they’re living together with the soldier. If the soldier only has partial custody, it is possible the child shall be issued a military ID before the age of 10.

There are plenty of advantages for the military ID card. While the cards are being modified to not involve the social security number of dependents, it nevertheless includes a large amount of personal information, a lot like a driver’s license. It is important to secure the card and never misplace it.

Identification. Not surprisingly, the principle purpose with the card should be to identify the Army member and his dependents. The Army member may also be able to use his card to for accessibility purposes on certain government computers and programs.

Accessibility. The Army ID card will be requested if you are purchasing in the commissary, exchange or other areas on a military post. It could also be requested in case you are making use of the fitness center or other post facilities. In addition, the gate guards will ask for this after you attempt to drive on post. In case you are on post, you should generally have your military ID card ready.

Insurance. Tricare does send separate insurance cards if requested but most military members and dependents use their ID card to serve as their insurance card as it has the pertinent facts on the card.

Discounts. On several occasions, the military ID card will entitle the cardholder to military discounts and also other advantages at retail institutions or entertainment venues. It continually pays to ask about military discounts that happen to be offered.

Your military ID does generally has an expiration date but doesn’t need to be updated every time there’s a modification in rank.

Here are the necessary procedures to follow to obtain a new identification card:

Dependents

Must provide their expired ID card and one of the following:
* Sponsor present
* Power of Attorney
* DD Form 1172, signed by the sponsor
To be issued a new ID card, the current card must be within 30 days prior to the expiration date.

Lost or Stolen ID Card
Dependents need photo ID and one of the following:
* Sponsor present
* Power of Attorney
* DD Form 1172, signed by the sponsor

Family Members
Here are the necessary procedures to follow to obtain a new identification card:
Must be between the ages of 10 and 21
Family Members must have either of the following:
a. His/Her sponsor present with ID card
b. General Power of Attorney
c. Original DD form 1172 signed by sponsor & verified by a DEERS representative
Note: DD form 1172 is only valid for 90 days
Children with dual military parents are eligible for an ID cards no matter what the age.
Children of single parent Soldiers are eligible for ID cards no matter what the age.

Dependents Age 21-22
Here are the necessary requirements to obtain a new identification card:

1. Unmarried children 21 or 22 years of age (must not have attained the age of 23).
2. Enrolled full time in an accredited institution of higher learning.
3. Dependent on the sponsor for over 50% of their support (or was at the time of the sponsor’s death).
4. If enrolled in DEERS, a letter from the school registrar certifying full-time course of study leading to an associates degree or higher, beginning date, and anticipated graduation date will be necessary.

Note: The letter from the accredited institution must be signed by the registrar and must have the schools raised seal available. If not enrolled in DEERS, a birth certificate and parent’s marriage certificate is required, in addition to documentation listed above.

Children Born Out of Wedlock
Here are the necessary procedures to follow to obtain a new identification card:
1. Married couples must provide the following:
a. Marriage certificate
b. Child’s birth certificate or confirmation of birth
c. Social security card
2. Single Soldier (Male) must provide the following:
a. Child’s birth certificate
b. Social security card
c. Court order stating paternity has been established by a judge
3. Single Soldier (Female) must provide the following:
a. Child’s birth certificate or confirmation of birth
b. Social security card

Being enrolled in this system is a must when your soldier joins the military. This is an organization wide system that allows any military facility to verify your access to military benefits including, but not limited to, healthcare.

Enrollment in DEERS is not automatic. Your soldier must enroll any dependents by visiting the nearest Personnel Service Center. When your soldier goes to basic training, he will enroll all eligible family members during his inprocessing at reception. If the soldier is not available to enroll family members, a spouse can do this in his place assuming a power of attorney (POA) has been provided.

To process enrollment in DEERS, they will need to see the birth certificate and social security card of each person being enrolled. In the case of the spouse, they will also need a marriage certificate. In most cases, they will need originals or certified copies of these documents.

Do not delay in getting enrolled in DEERS. All military benefits are dependent on being enrolled in DEERS.

As an Army wife, your military ID card is one of the most essential documents you will ever have in your possession while your soldier serves in the Army. It serves as your way to access the post, allows you to shop in the commissary and PX, serves as your insurance card and can sometimes entitle you to valuable military discounts.

Who is eligible?

• Spouse (wives and husbands)
• Widows who have never remarried
• Unmarried children who are 10-21 (or up to age 23 for college students)
• Disabled unmarried children over the age of 21 who cannot support themselves
• Parents who rely on the soldier for more than half of their monetary support monthly

Your husband likely was instructed by his recruiter to take his marriage certificate, birth certificate and other pertinent paperwork with him to reception (time before he begins basic training). While he is in reception, your soldier will enroll each dependent (as stated above) in DEERS (Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System). He will complete DD Form 1172 so that each dependent can obtain an ID.

Your soldier will then mail this form to you. When you receive it (which may take several weeks or longer), proceed to the nearest military base. You do not have to go to an Army post. I had my ID made at an Air Force base as it was closest to my home.

It seems that every ID station has different requirements. I only had to have the DD Form 1172 to have my ID made. Others have had to show birth certificates or a power of attorney. Be safe and take all of your documentation with you or call ahead and ask.

If you are not close to a military installation, you can always wait until you go for your husband’s graduation or until he gets to his first duty station. Just keep in mind that you will not be able to take advantage of any military benefits without your ID.

Find the closest military base to have your military ID made.