Army Cadet ID cards

riroka

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Does anyone know at what point AROTC cadets are issued an ID card?
 
Not to be rude, just curious, why does it matter? I only ask because every yr this becomes a thread, and I always wonder why?

The only answer I can ever guess is the cadet/mid is located near a base/post and they want to go shopping.
 
Not to be rude, just curious, why does it matter? I only ask because every yr this becomes a thread, and I always wonder why?

The only answer I can ever guess is the cadet/mid is located near a base/post and they want to go shopping.

additionally, opportunity to fly military standby (or whatever the right terminology is, and NO I do not want to open that can of worms again) or,
just to visit a base. We were in Key West for a week just before Christmas and DS sooo wanted to visit the NAS there (and yes, shop).
 
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Does anyone know at what point AROTC cadets are issued an ID card?

It really depends, AROTC Cadets are not issued an ID as common practice.

If a cadet is selected for CULP they will get a CAT Card ID prior to going.

If a cadet goes to Summer training they will get an ID before reporting.

At my son's battaliion a bunch of the cadets made an appointment with the nearest National Guard unit and got an ID Card.

The ID card is only required for certain training and programs. Of course if they have one they can shop at the PX or Commisary if they're close to a base, maybe get a discount on some things or at the movie theater. I've noticed that many places that offer military discounts have started only offering the discounts to Active Duty Military, though they still seem to give the discounts to my son with his card.

Have your son ask some of the other cadets to see if they have gotten an ID card, and how they went about it.
 
I've noticed that many places that offer military discounts have started only offering the discounts to Active Duty Military, though they still seem to give the discounts to my son with his card.

That's because he's young enough to LOOK like he is on Active Duty. :biggrin:

Just as an FYI, NROTC issues IDs when you contract.
 
. I've noticed that many places that offer military discounts have started only offering the discounts to Active Duty Military, though they still seem to give the discounts to my son with his card.

Some of us remember when RC members were given pink ID cards and Active Duty getting green ID cards.

Now with CAC (new ID card), can't tell if you are Active duty or Reserves.
 
Does anyone know at what point AROTC cadets are issued an ID card?

Not to be rude, just curious, why does it matter? I only ask because every yr this becomes a thread, and I always wonder why?

The only answer I can ever guess is the cadet/mid is located near a base/post and they want to go shopping.

Mine got hers last year (MS2) but it was for logistical reasons (getting on and off base) when her schedule required early/late exit/entry for a FTX event.

If a contracted cadet has a business reason to get one, the Cadre will see that it is issued.
 
Some of us remember when RC members were given pink ID cards and Active Duty getting green ID cards.

Now with CAC (new ID card), can't tell if you are Active duty or Reserves.

My son's CAC Card says "ROTC Cadet" on it. Hasn't been an issue when he's used it. One nice perk is that it got him a 15% discount on his cell phone bill.
 
I got issued the green card when I was contracted. The rank on each card among my peers was really random though with some saying ROTC/STU, E-1, E-5 or even E-6. I live next to a large army and AF base so the card was nice to have access to the gym, PX, clinical rotations at the hospital and clothing/sales. Since nobody but cadets uses the green card any more it is really easy for people to pick you out :frown:

The CAC card is only issued to SMP cadets from what I understand and of course when you commission.

Edit-I guess the IRR gets the green card still according to the CAC website
 
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I got issued the green card when I was contracted. The rank on each card among my peers was really random though with some saying ROTC/STU, E-1, E-5 or even E-6. I live next to a large army and AF base so the card was nice to have access to the gym, PX, clinical rotations at the hospital and clothing/sales. Since nobody but cadets use the green card any more it is really easy for people to pick you out :frown:

The CAC card is only issued to SMP cadets from what I understand and of course when you commission.

Edit-I guess the IRR gets the green card still according to the CAC website

CAC Cards are now issued to cadets that are going to CULP.

They actually go through inprocessing at Ft. Knox for Temp Active Duty, he even had to sign up for the AD Life insurance for 31 days, and pay for it of course. I think that's why they get the CAC Card and not the normal Green Card. Nice for him the card expires the day he graduates so he can use it until he gets his new one.
 
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CAC Cards are now issued to cadets that are going to CULP.

They actually go through inprocessing at Ft. Knox for Temp Active Duty, he even had to sign up for the AD Life insurance for 31 days, and pay for it of course. I think that's why they get the CAC Card and not the normal Green Card. Nice for him the card expires the day he graduates so he can use it until he gets his new one.

Interesting I wasn't aware of this, thanks for sharing. I wish I had the CAC card as a cadet...well early December I guess I will get my wish!
 
Interesting I wasn't aware of this, thanks for sharing. I wish I had the CAC card as a cadet...well early December I guess I will get my wish!

An early congratulations on your graduation and commission.
 
#1 I was not aware this becomes a topic every year.
#2 It matters because my son was told they were getting them last year and they never got them. This year he has heard nothing, so I was just curious as to what the standard practice was.
 
#1 I was not aware this becomes a topic every year.
#2 It matters because my son was told they were getting them last year and they never got them. This year he has heard nothing, so I was just curious as to what the standard practice was.

It really depends on the battalion if they take the time to get the ID Cards. Unless they need it for training or CULP it may be something that is just put on the back burner unless they have time. They need to go where the cards are issued, it may not be close to the school so they just wait and see if they have the opportunity.

When my son was selected for CULP last year they told him he needed an ID Card. When he came home for Spring Break he just called Ft. Lewis (It is close to us) and found out where to go. I drove with him, wanted to visit the base, and he just waited in line. As long as your son is in the Deers System he can get an ID Card. As it turned out he was issued a different ID, a CAC Card at Ft. Knox before he left the country.
 
A military ID was issued to Cadet Delahanty in connection with summer training. Before his departure we were driving in a town with an Air Force base on its outskirts. The subject of dinner had just come up when we approached a perfectly acceptable-looking restaurant with a sign that that said: 15% off for Military Personnel.

Cheapo parent: "I wonder...."
Cadet Delahanty: "Absolutely not"

*******************************************************

On the day training was completed, Cadet Delahanty had a long layover between connecting flights. His ID afforded entrance to a USO facility where he was able to relax.
 
Obviously, this is very random...at my daughters command, it seemed that most of the cadets had ID cards and obtained them during visits to the local Army base. I have no idea what rank was going on the cards.

My daughter obtained her 1st ID card at Camp Pendleton (Marines) and was issued an E-6 rank on the card. Her boyfriend went to an Army base up north and was issued a card with the rank of E-4. My daughters ID card and expired and she went for a new card this past August, again at Camp Pendleton, and was issued a card with the rank of E-1.

I know that there are local restaurants that give them a military discount when they present their ID cards...
 
The pay grade listed on the ID can vary based on who the admin person is helping the cadet get the card. Don't confuse pay grade with rank though. Just because the ID lists the pay grade as E-6 does not make one a staff sergeant. Same way with SMP cadets. They are paid as E-5's, but are not sergeants.
 
Does anyone know at what point AROTC cadets are issued an ID card?
Well, by all means and ways, yes. Once you sign your contract, you are a member of the USAR in the rank of Cadet. With a copy of your oath/contract, and assignment orders, you should be able go to the nearest military installations (service immaterial, reserve/guard/active) and be issued an ID card. Having said that, many a lard-butt (not to say, ass) admin type just won’t be bothered to get the correct info or papers to the cadet. Because that is work and a lot of folks don’t like to do that. But according to regs, yes. Nothing customary, habitual or optional there.
 
The pay grade listed on the ID can vary based on who the admin person is helping the cadet get the card. Don't confuse pay grade with rank though. Just because the ID lists the pay grade as E-6 does not make one a staff sergeant. Same way with SMP cadets. They are paid as E-5's, but are not sergeants.
It’s rank: CDT ; grade: E-5, not that they’d get the pay unless drilling as an SMP or at Advanced Camp.
 
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