National News
Fort Rucker to require background check and badge for visitors
May 01, 2015 posted by Steve Brownstein
Beginning April 27, Fort Rucker will begin issuing visitor badges to people who do not have a Department of Defense-issued identification, a news release from the Army installation said on Monday.
Visitors will have 30 days to obtain the badge, which requires a background check, before the policy goes into full effect on May 29, the news release said.
After that date, any visitor who does not have a badge will be directed to a visitor center to apply for one, the news release said. Otherwise, they will not be able to enter the installation.
“To ensure that Fort Rucker is adhering to Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12, all visitors will be vetted through the National Crime Information Center Interstate Identification Index…prior to entering the installation,” the news release said. “While this is a DOD-wide initiative, the Directorate of Public Safety is streamlining the process for accessing Fort Rucker.”
Those with a common access card (CAC), military ID, military family member ID or other DOD-issued ID are not affected, the news release said.
“All personnel in the vehicle who are 18 or older will need a visitor badge (unless escorted), which requires a background check,” the news release said. “Along with the visitor badge, all visitors must present a valid picture identification card (e.g. state-issued driver’s license, state-issued ID, etc.)”
Visitors can start the process at the Visitor Control Center at the Daleville Gate, Enterprise Gate or Ozark Gate to receive a background check and visitor badge. A government-issued identification, such as a driver’s license, passport or state identification card, is required for the background check. Hours for the Visitor Control Centers are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday at the Daleville, Enterprise and Ozark gates.
Fort Rucker officials plan to hold a news conference for local media regarding the changes on Tuesday afternoon.
