AFROTC CAC

You can literally just show up to a base that'll print one. We have a guard base in town and we just show up, tell them what we need, and magically a CAC card appears in 10 mins! haha
 
If I remember I brought my passport and Social Security Card as proof of identity. Appointment is not necessary but the wait can be long (like 2 hours!) without an appointment. In my neck of the woods base access is hard without a military escort so do ask one that already has their military ID to escort you to the MPF/ID Card shop at your nearest base.
 
I will stress the base access is an issue if you do not inform them prior. AF bases are 100% military ID to get on base, or at least every base I have ever been to for since 9/11.

No military ID = turn around and go through the visitor center to register your car at the very least.
~ Not kidding, add at least 30 minutes more to get through the gate.

Alpha is correct, it is a hit or miss wit them because getting an ID is a queue system. As a military dependent, and my kids being military dependents, we have walked in and served within 10 minutes, and we have also waited 2 hrs. You are not ADAF. You will not take priority.
~ Caveat I am not sure if you take priority as a scholarship (non-POC) over a dependent, but if memory serves me correctly, especially from a bennies perspective, you do not take priority over a dependent or a retiree/retiree dependent
~~ A military child at the age of 10 must have an ID for medical purposes or Space A, it is not an option for them when they are sick and need a prescription. Their parent must show their card for the apptmt and meds. Can we spell TRI CARE? Dependent IDs are valid for 4 yrs.

Just saying why you might wait in line for some time when you finally get to the Personnel Center after registering your car on base, the military dependents of AD members need them for medical reasons and you may wait longer. You as a cadet that is not a POC will not live by Tri-Care Std or Prime. My kids and I do even as retirees.
~ Children of ADAF or retirees enrolled in college can carry their ID card/bennies until 22 if in college. At 21 the military member must submit paperwork to the Personnel Center (ID office) that they are enrolled in college as a full time student. Why do yo care about that crap? You care because, they too will flood into the office for a new ID card.--- see above regarding this is their health insurance.


I am someone that does laugh at this idea. Bullet and I will be celebrating our 28th wedding anniversary in Dec. Bullet retired in 08, my 1st ID (2/1989). My ID expired in 2010. want to know when I renewed it? April 2014...had to because DS was winging from UPT.
~ Caveat I have a passport and a DL as IDs when I travel, and even when it was expired the airlines accepted my expired military dependent ID. Same is true for Tri-Care. IOWS, it was just a photo ID.
~~ I have 7 military bases within a 30-45 mile radius. I have not stepped foot on any of them sincely Space A. They fly commercial...they know heavies break down.
~~~ Tri-Care, you are not eligible as an AS200, even on scholarship
~~~~BX...Walmart is cheaper, be it t-shirts or electronics.

Have a party. Get one, but jmpo unless you live around the corner from a military base/post and even than I don't know why you would want one, it makes absolutely no sense to get one.

Done with my diatribe. I have said my 0.0195548 cents. Now your turn...why do you want it? What exactly does that CAC card give you? Not healthcare. Space A? Military members pay to fly commercial over Space A. Not the AMEX credit card non-fee. Ever been to a BX? They are not amazing. The only reason I can fathom is to purchase from the military clothing store your Mess Dress

I am not trying to be mean, unkind or rude. Just saying I would love to read from one poster why?
~ Don't say it would be nice to have one. My response is going to be again,,,why?
~~ Say a 2nd ID? great, but you are a GMC, and can be cut, hence must turn it...in that case why not get a passport that will last for 10 yrs.

In the end defend to me why you even want it as a GMC that has yet to be selected for SFT? What bennies do you feel you will get compared to if you did not have a CAC?

Go for it, but if it was me, I would rather spend my time getting a passport than a CAC as a 19 yr old that has yet to be selected for SFT.

Ready to be hit with 1,00,000n wet noodles.
 
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I will stress the base access is an issue if you do not inform them prior. AF bases are 100% military ID to get on base, or at least every base I have ever been to for since 9/11.

No military ID = turn around and go through the visitor center to register your car at the very least.
~ Not kidding, add at least 30 minutes more to get through the gate.

Alpha is correct, it is a hit or miss wit them because getting an ID is a queue system. As a military dependent, and my kids being military dependents, we have walked in and served within 10 minutes, and we have also waited 2 hrs. You are not ADAF. You will not take priority.
~ Caveat I am not sure if you take priority as a scholarship (non-POC) over a dependent, but if memory serves me correctly, especially from a bennies perspective, you do not take priority over a dependent or a retiree/retiree dependent
~~ A military child at the age of 10 must have an ID for medical purposes or Space A, it is not an option for them when they are sick and need a prescription. Their parent must show their card for the apptmt and meds. Can we spell TRI CARE? Dependent IDs are valid for 4 yrs.

Just saying why you might wait in line for some time when you finally get to the Personnel Center after registering your car on base, the military dependents of AD members need them for medical reasons and you may wait longer. You as a cadet that is not a POC will not live by Tri-Care Std or Prime. My kids and I do even as retirees.
~ Children of ADAF or retirees enrolled in college can carry their ID card/bennies until 22 if in college. At 21 the military member must submit paperwork to the Personnel Center (ID office) that they are enrolled in college as a full time student. Why do yo care about that crap? You care because, they too will flood into the office for a new ID card.--- see above regarding this is their health insurance.


I am someone that does laugh at this idea. Bullet and I will be celebrating our 28th wedding anniversary in Dec. Bullet retired in 08, my 1st ID (2/1989). My ID expired in 2010. want to know when I renewed it? April 2014...had to because DS was winging from UPT.
~ Caveat I have a passport and a DL as IDs when I travel, and even when it was expired the airlines accepted my expired military dependent ID. Same is true for Tri-Care. IOWS, it was just a photo ID.
~~ I have 7 military bases within a 30-45 mile radius. I have not stepped foot on any of them sincely Space A. They fly commercial...they know heavies break down.
~~~ Tri-Care, you are not eligible as an AS200, even on scholarship
~~~~BX...Walmart is cheaper, be it t-shirts or electronics.

Have a party. Get one, but jmpo unless you live around the corner from a military base/post and even than I don't know why you would want one, it makes absolutely no sense to get one.

Done with my diatribe. I have said my 0.0195548 cents. Now your turn...why do you want it? What exactly does that CAC card give you? Not healthcare. Space A? Military members pay to fly commercial over Space A. Not the AMEX credit card non-fee. Ever been to a BX? They are not amazing. The only reason I can fathom is to purchase from the military clothing store your Mess Dress

I am not trying to be mean, unkind or rude. Just saying I would love to read from one poster why?
~ Don't say it would be nice to have one. My response is going to be again,,,why?
~~ Say a 2nd ID? great, but you are a GMC, and can be cut, hence must turn it...in that case why not get a passport that will last for 10 yrs.

In the end defend to me why you even want it as a GMC that has yet to be selected for SFT? What bennies do you feel you will get compared to if you did not have a CAC?

Go for it, but if it was me, I would rather spend my time getting a passport than a CAC as a 19 yr old that has yet to be selected for SFT.

Ready to be hit with 1,00,000n wet noodles.

With all due respect, I didn't mean or want to start an argument. I just figured, since I have an opportunity to get a CAC card then why not get it? It's not a big hassle, literally 5 minute drive away. Our DET sometimes has base visits and are in need of drivers with military ID. I already have a passport, but even the small things like TSA pre-check is also nice.

I get that it may not have many usage/benefits for me, especially as a 200 but it will definitely not hurt to get one. Cadre has encouraged us to get one, and 2/4 of the scholarship recipients have gotten theirs already. Even my uncle who is an officer in the Air Force said just do it, why not?

Like you asked why get a CAC card? Like I said, why not? It won't waste time, it'll take at most 30 minutes, and if anything I can run there to get the extra exercise if we really want to discuss what I could do in that time-frame.

But thank you for your input PIMA, I completely understand your perspective, but I also have my own.
 
DS gets a season pass at a local ski resort for 25 bucks (and there was actual snow last season).

That alone made his cac card worth it. His AROTC battalion made it easy to obtain though.
 
Look if you are 5 minutes away and can get an escort for you to get on base than I am with you. Just saying for the cadets are 60-90 minutes away from home and when at college there is no nearby base than why do it as a GMC if you don't know you will be selected for SFT?

On board once selected for SFT.
~ When DS was selected for SFT we purchased him new blues.
~~ He handed back at commissioning the AFROTC uniform
~ We also purchased his Mess Dress that same year.

As a dependent he had his military ID...did not get a CAC until after he commissioned when he reported to UPT. However, because we decided to purchase uniforms for him he needed to get on base for the clothing store. Additionally, since he was gong rated, he needed to get on base for the TBAS.
~ Hence why I say I can get it, but there are a lot of if, ands, and buts.
~~ IE We live in Va. VT is an SMC. However, there is no military installation around the corner, or at least none that I know of. DS went to UMDCP, there were a ton of them a spit eye away from the campus. Okay not a ton, but 5-7 within 30 minutes drive. As stated DS did not have a CAC bc he had a dependent ID. He was the driver for every one that did not have a military ID.

AROTC you are correct, there are many recreational places that give discounts as long as you show any military ID. Disney comes 1st to my mind. I would add that Aeropostale clothing will give you a discount. Rack Room Shoes does too. If you want a great detailed list for military discounts, I would suggest you go to baseops.net. and look on their thread entitled discounts.

FYI Physzix I would look into see if you can open a USAA account now. That to me is where you will be thankful for opening as soon as you can.
~ IE if you have a USAA checking account, you pay zero,zip, nada for ATM charges...9 times out of 10.
~~ Have USAA and you can use their buying service...travel
 
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Look if you are 5 minutes away and can get an escort for you to get on base than I am with you. Just saying for the cadets are 60-90 minutes away from home and when at college there is no nearby base than why do it as a GMC if you don't know you will be selected for SFT?

On board once selected for SFT.
~ When DS was selected for SFT we purchased him new blues.
~~ He handed back at commissioning the AFROTC uniform
~ We also purchased his Mess Dress that same year.

As a dependent he had his military ID...did not get a CAC until after he commissioned when he reported to UPT. However, because we decided to purchase uniforms for him he needed to get on base for the clothing store. Additionally, since he was gong rated, he needed to get on base for the TBAS.
~ Hence why I say I can get it, but there are a lot of if, ands, and buts.
~~ IE We live in Va. VT is an SMC. However, there is no military installation around the corner, or at least none that I know of. DS went to UMDCP, there were a ton of them a spit eye away from the campus. Okay not a ton, but 5-7 within 30 minutes drive. As stated DS did not have a CAC bc he had a dependent ID. He was the driver for every one that did not have a military ID.

AROTC you are correct, there are many recreational places that give discounts as long as you show any military ID. Disney comes 1st to my mind. I would add that Aeropostale clothing will give you a discount. Rack Room Shoes does too. If you want a great detailed list for military discounts, I would suggest you go to baseops.net. and look on their thread entitled discounts.

FYI Physzix I would look into see if you can open a USAA account now. That to me is where you will be thankful for opening as soon as you can.
~ IE if you have a USAA checking account, you pay zero,zip, nada for ATM charges...9 times out of 10.
~~ Have USAA and you can use their buying service...travel

Thanks PIMA! Yes I am 5 minutes away and have an escort.

How do I go about qualifying for a USAA account? My uncle told me I could be eligible but not too knowledgeable about it.
 
Contact USAA directly...USAA.com I honestly do not know where you will stand with them regarding joining. My kids as dependents when they were born were given a USAA account by them. Only 1 of my 3 are military, but all 3 are USAA members because their Dad served.

If you have no military connection, including grandparents, and if I read your post right (scholarship) you may or may not qualify. Scholarship recipients can bolt before the start of their sophomore yr. Since you have yet to sign, I would think you are in a gray area.

Once you become a POC USAA is what I would call the prime (common) lender for that career starter loan. It is up to 25K or 35K, my DS only took 10K. He purchased a car using 0% int. via Toyota compared to the 2.75% they offered. Took 5K to max out an IRA. The other 5K was placed in money market mutual funds that he could get easy access for the rainy day....equaling 10K.
 
You don't need it, but you can have it (as an ID card at the very least) and for free! So why not?

I contracted 2nd semester of my AS100 year, waited a month to be put into the system, and made an appointment using RAPIDS. Went into the military facility and walked out with the CAC in 20 minutes.
 
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