Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Requirement for Class of 2014?

navig8r

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I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas on the requirements for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) for the Class of 2014? I checked the TWIC website and it appears the turnaround time can be 8 weeks - is it something to get started on now? And while asking about credentials.......... are plebe candidates required to have a current passport when they report for Indoc or at some point early on? Obviously they must need one for Sea Terms, but I wasn't sure if they were required to produce that passport when they report for school.
 
TWIC and passport

navig8r~
If you are within 200 miles of a TWIC location, you should start now to get that taken care of. We googled TWIC and found all the info we needed to get it started. It could possibly take 6-8 weeks since it takes 2 trips-one for the initial appointment and then your DS/DD needs to return to pick up the actual card. They will not mail it.

If I remember correctly, we were required to send the passport with paperwork that is mailed back to USMMA before Indoc.

You may want to search for a similar thread that was on this site last week for further info.
 
The sooner the better. Conact your parent's association. Time to inquire about wisdom teeth too.
 
Yes, your plebe candidate will need to mail in a current passport (along with other paperwork - I don't recall exactly what, but I seem to recall a birth certificiate was also needed) to USMMA several weeks before INDOC. This documentation is for the Naval Reserve commission. The passport and other docs will be returned to the plebe candidate sometime after INDOC (but before Acceptance Day).

I recall that there are LOTS of various requirements for various departments that have to be sent at various times - some prior to INDOC, some have to be brought to INDOC.

I had a checklist that listed WHAT documentation had to be sent WHERE and WHEN. I'm a pretty organized person and really made an effort to be on top of all this, but there was still one piece of documentation (I don't remember what) that was supposed to be sent in a few weeks before INDOC that somehow got overlooked and was put in the folder with stuff to be taken to INDOC. I discovered this the day before reporting in day. (major stress, as you can imagine). It didn't turn into a big issue (as far as I know - DS never said anything about it).

But it's quite a project to keep it all straight. Get started early.
 
Make copies of everything!!! Don't send or bring any document that you haven't made several copies of, including passport, TWIC card, Social Security card, etc. My DS also brought a copy of everything with him in case they lost something that had to be sent ahead of INDOC. And read the logging in orders carefully. We found a mistake that had to be cleared up before INDOC in the orders and got an answer, which we posted on the forum. Candidates will face enough stress the first day without having problems with their paperwork.
 
I can't stress enough the value of KPBASEBALLMOM's post! Make copies of everything and have a system of organization that works for you. We put the copies in the car before we packed anything else to make sure we had them.
 
Let me add a big WORD! to kpbaseballmom's post.

Various departments at the Academy lost or misplaced various documents (nothing fairly vital like a passport or social security card, thank goodness), so DO REMEMBER to make copies of everything. We also sent everything by FEDEX (or some other method that gave us the ability to track, and a reciept).

I don't mean to alarm folks, but keeping track of all this stuff is a big job (especially if the academy loses stuff).
 
Make your TWIC appointment ASAP

I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas on the requirements for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) for the Class of 2014? I checked the TWIC website and it appears the turnaround time can be 8 weeks - is it something to get started on now? And while asking about credentials.......... are plebe candidates required to have a current passport when they report for Indoc or at some point early on? Obviously they must need one for Sea Terms, but I wasn't sure if they were required to produce that passport when they report for school.

The TWIC office here in Albany requires that you call ahead and make an appointment. You might want to check and see if that is true. The office here (which moved to my office complex from across town 1 week after we picked up our son's card) is constantly busy: 18 wheelers driving in all day!

It took a good 1/2 hour to do all the fingerprints, etc (which you will have to do again for the Navy, we used the Sheriff's office). I can see why they want you to get an appointment here.

Surprisingly, it only took a couple of weeks to get the card, but that might have been luck of the draw. Had it been a long drive or getting close to INDOC, I'm sure they would have taken the full 8 weeks! :biggrin:
 
navig8r~
If you are within 200 miles of a TWIC location, you should start now to get that taken care of. We googled TWIC and found all the info we needed to get it started. It could possibly take 6-8 weeks since it takes 2 trips-one for the initial appointment and then your DS/DD needs to return to pick up the actual card. They will not mail it.

If I remember correctly, we were required to send the passport with paperwork that is mailed back to USMMA before Indoc.

You may want to search for a similar thread that was on this site last week for further info.

Just a heads up- the 200 mile policy will not be in effect this year. This will be in the Logging In that will be sent out soon. Get this done soon. Reportedly the wait time has come down from 6 weeks to 2 weeks, so there shouldn't be any issues.
 
If you want to kind of get an idea, on the USMMA main website page, at the bottom (it's small), is the link to last year's "2013 logging in book" that we used for my son last year. It will, at least, give you some idea what to prepare for and how.
 
Thanks so much for the reply about the "Logging In 2013" link on the bottom of the KP homepage. Small letters - I totally missed it until it was pointed out.

As an update... I am erring on the side of caution with getting things in order prior to INDOC. We went to the TWIC website and filled in all the biographical stuff. Submitted it and waited a few days. When nothing came back in the way of a response, I suggested that my son call them and see if maybe he missed something. Good thing he did. They basically said, "oh yeah, what you filled out is just biographical stuff. Your application for the card won't get started until you come in - and oh, by the way, you'll be needing an appointment." First available appointment wasn't for three weeks!

After that experience I figured we should start compiling everything we think he'll be needing so there are no last minute problems. My son is probably the only kid on the planet who didn't have a passport. We already sent in the application. Picked up several "extra" certified copies of his birth certificate, located the original social security card. Even printed the verification copy of his selective service registration - just in case. All that stuff is going right into a big manila envelope so we aren't scrambling later.

I have always been a firm believer of the adage "if you're on time, you're late" and I can see already what chaos the end of the senior year is going to bring with prom, senior class trip, exams and graduation. The last thing I want to be doing at the end of May is trying to find a certified copy of a birth certificate!! And, yes, the oral surgeon visit is scheduled for tomorrow.
 
TWIC process

Took my son in today- he preregistered onlline and showed at an office without an appointment. Waited 20 minutes, was taken in, processed in maybe another 20. Worker told him he could have his TWIC in as little as a week because he had a passport with a recent stamp, but also could be as much as 8 weeks and "you just never know". She als said some of the kids going to A&M also have to go to the coast guard for some extra certification- does this mean anything to anyone?
 
Payment for TWIX

Also, check what type of payment they will take at TWIX office. I think credit cards are not accepted and you might need cash. You don't want to have driven 200 miles and not be able to pay. Also, take good care of the card when you get it. We were told it can be a big pain getting it replaced. And again, anything you are asked to bring or send in the form of paperwork, passports, SS cards, MAKE SEVERAL COPIES, have your child take one copy and keep one copy at home. My DS, a 4th classman, went to some dept at school recently getting ready for sea term and the dept he was in said they couldn't find his papers. He was able to pull out a set he still had from INDOC. KP eventually found them, but it was good he still had a set of everything.
 
DD went to get card this last week after making appt. They do not take checks. Next question.... Anybody have a kid who's passport expires while at MMA? DD will not turn 18 until after leaving so the first chance to reaaply is Thanksgiving. Please let us know if anyone has faced this. We can update drivier license beforehand as long as parents signs paperwork allowing permanent license.

THanks
 
whitege,

DS was 17 when he entered USMMA and his passport was going to expire in the next 2 years. He got it renewed for 10 years (he's now 18) over the holidays and we mailed it to him when we received it. :thumb:
 
DD went to get card this last week after making appt. They do not take checks. Next question.... Anybody have a kid who's passport expires while at MMA? DD will not turn 18 until after leaving so the first chance to reaaply is Thanksgiving. Please let us know if anyone has faced this. We can update drivier license beforehand as long as parents signs paperwork allowing permanent license.

THanks

DS just renewed his passport while he was home in March (it expired in April). It took less than three weeks for the renewal. Your DD will need to appear in person to renew since she was a minor at the time the old passport was issued. DS had the passport mailed to us and then we mailed it to him at KP. I would recommend renewing earlier in the year, since they will need the passports during the third trimester in preparation for sea duty if they're a B-split.
 
Our DS, 4/C, applied for passport renewal over term break. He was a minor when original passport was issued, so had to appear in person for renewal. Passport just came in the mail two days ago, so the process appears to be pretty quick.

Ditto keeping copies of everything - KP seems to have a habit of losing paperwork.
 
Copies of everything is always a great idea, especially fronts/backs of Drivers License, credit cards, etc for Indoc [ Those little contact numbers on the back are useful ]

Parents, if you want to see your Mid give you the whole rolly-eye expaserated look, just misremember/mispronounce the abbreviation for the TWIC card.
Parent: "Did you get your TWIX card yet"
Mid: :rolleyes: + exasperated sign, then explanation.

Z-card. No way of mangling THAT up.
 
producesd in a week

Son just just his twic card status before school and it has been produced and is being sent for pickup. I am impressed.
 
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