CAC Card for Contracted Cadets/Midshipmen

derek44

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DS contracted and was issued a CAC card. However, the administrative clerk made an error when processing his card. It is my understanding contracted ROTC cadets get a rank of "CADET" or "ROTC", a pay grade of "STDT" and Geneva Conventions Category III. DS got an enlisted rank, no pay grade and Geneva Conv Cat I.

Should we bother to correct this as it is technically an inaccurate card, and cards may be renewed to correct an error, or can he just leave it as is?
 
There is no pay grade on DS card. It says AMN as in Airman. He doesn't want to make the trip again but I think he should because it is wrong. If he needs to present his identification they will assume he is AD enlisted but he's really just a cadet. Especially if he is in his cadet uniform and has to show ID, there will be a discrepancy that I think could get him in trouble.
 
It is fine. CAC for Mids/Cadets in ROTC say all kinds of things. As long as he has one to get on base and do what he needs its fine. If it was an issue, it's something he would need to address with his chain of command.
 
Yes I agree that CACs can say all kinds of things, but they're not supposed to. What DS has is invalid. It is more correct to get his card reissued with the appropriate rank, pay grade, and GCC of his status than to keep the erroneous one. While the likelihood of him being taken prisoner of war by a Geneva Convention adhering government is slim, it it is important to note that this is an example where a mistake on the CAC card can have serious consequences.
 
DS contracted and was issued a CAC card. However, the administrative clerk made an error when processing his card. It is my understanding contracted ROTC cadets get a rank of "CADET" or "ROTC", a pay grade of "STDT" and Geneva Conventions Category III. DS got an enlisted rank, no pay grade and Geneva Conv Cat I.

Should WE bother to correct this as it is technically an inaccurate card, and cards may be renewed to correct an error, or can he just leave it as is?

Are you military?
~ My DS was military dependent. thus he just kept his military ID. He was informed to keep his dependent ID. Mainly due to the fact that his health insurance was TriCare, thus Dad's SS# on the card was his proof of insurance. He kept the dependent ID until he commissioned.

I am probably going to get flamed for this, BUT there is no more WE from a military point of view if he is 18. It is now up to him.

Just my personal opinion, and with $2.07 you can get a small coffee from Starbucks, but that CAC is worth nothing more than getting on base to buy something from the BX/PX/NX. It is basically the equivalent to the college student ID that he will get at orientation so he can use the food plan or entrance into the library.

What they place on it doesn't matter at this point. You are in charge of his health care as a ROTC parent.
~ During summer training he will be on orders. He will show that as proof at the gate for his airline tickets.


Please, please, please, understand I am not trying to flame at all. I am just saying that those ID cards when in ROTC really means nothing from the Geneva Convention or pay grade.

All it means is at the airport on orders you can get a waiver for the additional luggage. Use the USO lounge. Buy something at the BX/PX/NX. Nothing more.
 
It really isn't a big deal. If he wants to go get it fixed, fine, but he's not going to get in trouble for keeping what he has.
 
I agree with the above posts. My son's first card had him as an E-5, the second just said Cadet. The most common use he will be using his CAC card for is to access his AKO and email and maybe at a PX or commissary if he is on base. Before heading in to have the card changed he should call to make sure they will do it, they may just tell him it's fine as it is if he just shows up.
 
I'm not sure why you asked the question when you've clearly already decided what the answer is... I doubt this will change your mind, but you should leave the card as is.
I don't know a single cadet whose CAC says cadet, although I'm told they exist. As people have told you, this is 100% normal and is good enough for every other cadet in the country. FYI the person who prints CAC cards has no control over what they say, they just print the info already in the system. The only way to change what the card says is to find someone who can change his rank within the system and I'll bet neither the PMS nor anyone else wants to waste time and resources doing that just to appease you.
I'm not sure who you think is going to get him in trouble... He shows the ID to get on base, to check bags when on orders, to log into online training and email, etc. In none of those instances is he doing something he shouldn't be doing. I'm sorry if this is brusque, but everyone else is trying to tell you the same thing, and you aren't really listening. Your honesty is commendable but the card is really fine.
 
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Okay I just really wanted to make sure, DS didn't think it was a big deal either. And Pima I said "we" because he doesn't have a car so I'd have to drive him out. Thanks everyone.
 
My son and a couple other cadets in his battalion were issued the wrong CAC cards as well. The cadets subsequently chosen for CULP had to make another appointment to get the correct card.
 
During the spring vacation of my son's MS2 year, we visited West Point. The guards at the entrance - my guess retired soldiers - accorded him an unwarranted degree of deference. I could tell he was embarrassed by it, but he played along. Afterwards he showed me his CAC: it said his rank was E-6.

I never knew whether it was random or if someone knowing he was headed to Airborne summer training arranged it. The card he got next year for CULP said E-1.
 
His CAC might say enlisted because until he EAD's technically he is. When you contract, depending on circumstances your inactive reserve enlisted for scholarship/contracting reasons. But like above no big deal, I personally would not go change it.
 
Interesting. I just know as a matter of fact that cadets get a rank of ROTC and a pay grade of STDT. The main issue I really have is that while the rank on DS CAC indicates he is an Airman, the photo shows him wearing an officer's shoulder boards, which can be cause for suspicion among some gate guards or even anyone else that might look at his CAC card.

DanGir what was wrong with their CAC cards? Same thing?
 
Those are not Officer shoulder boards. They are ROTC cadet shoulder boards.
~ Look at the picture...are they gold bars or the arrows on his shoulder? Gold is Lt. arrows are ROTC.

Trust me they are not looking at the shoulder boards in the pic. They are looking at the picture and the rank on the CAC.
~ Pic to see they match up
~ Rank to see if they are an officer and need to salute.
~~ Most bases do nor use military members, but a contracting company for gate guards.

This is meant with extreme kindness, but this is his issue, not yours.

Even for him, it really is not a biggie at all.

FYI, I am now a retired spouse. Followed Bullet around the world for 20 years. I still get on base with an expired ID (expired in 2012) and they just remind me that it is expired. I tell them I know, I am coming on base to get a new one. That includes me visiting him at the Pentagon too.
~ DS got married on base last year and they let me right through the gates
~~ Too lazy to get a new one.

Just saying, this is not a big deal at all when it comes to rank.
 
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Oh well you can't tell eitherway in the picture, they look just like any officers epaulettes even though they are not, which is kind of the point I am making because he is neither an officer or an airman, just an ROTC cadet and his CAC really should say so, lest he have to explain why his CAC doesn't match up.

But I must be seriously overthinking this, DS thinks so too *sigh*
 
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He doesn't have to explain to anyone.

Nobody is going to ask. His pic matches his CAC. That all it is for him right now.

When he commissions than it will become his insurance ID. It will become a swipe card to get into buildings.

Right now it is an I AM ALIVE and connected to the military somehow card....let me on base/post.

Not trying to be harsh, but that is basically it.
~ It might also work at Aeropostale for the military discount, DSW shoes, maybe Lowe's or other stores that give a military discount.

JMPO, but you really are putting more emphasis on this card than it means. Seriously, it is nothing at all when they are in ROTC. It is not a big deal at all. As I stated, my DS was told if he got a CAC he had to hand in his military dependent ID card. He kept his dependent until he commissioned. (He was AFROTC scholarship).
 
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DS did SMP and had military ID with E5 pay status and Sergeant as rank. All the other SMP cadets had cadet as rank. It was no problem until he went to an Army base to get his new ID after he commissioned and had to explain to the guard at the gate why he was a sergeant with 2nd LT bars on.o_O
 
No rhyme or reason to the rank thing. DS cac card shows him as an E-6 and has since he received it as a freshmen.
 
No rhyme or reason to the rank thing. DS cac card shows him as an E-6 and has since he received it as a freshmen.

Ha ha. This entire conversation reminds me of the funnier side of the military. Outsiders think its a well-oiled machine and in a lot of ways it is. But it is also a massive bureaucracy with all the problems and issues one could associate with such a complex enterprise. Conflicting processes, silly rules, ridiculous signature/ initial requirements, etc. Ask anyone that has been in and they could tell a million anecdotes.

I am reminded of an old MASH episode where Radar O'Reilly is mailing home a jeep - one piece at a time. I have to believe that this wasn't just a TV writer's idea - I can absolutely believe it happened somewhere along the way.

To the OP: while it would be nice if the card was accurate and consistent with every other ROTC student across the country, you can see that most posting here advise that the standards are all over the place. At this point, I side with the majority - nothing to worry about.
 
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