DBIDS hints

L

LT360

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Apr 9, 2021
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We were able to obtain our DBIDS card yesterday and here are my learnings:

- Fridays afternoons on FB, reunion, parents weekends, etc is not a good time to process. Tuesday-Thursday is supposedly the ideal time.

- the card is only good for 3 years but can be renewed

- take your temporary pass with you— do not leave in car

-temporary pass will allow you to bypass the walk-in security at Gate 1. Just show along with ID to the guards and you can skip the metal detector. Your MIDN can also escort you past the metal detector.

-they will only allow those being processed into building. So leave any minors outside if possible.
 
LT360 said:
the card is only good for 3 years but can be renewed
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Important point! We learned this the hard way last summer, when trying to catch a PS parade by driving onto the Yard through the back entrance. Had to circle back from Gate 8 to Gate 1 and park in the visitors section, then walk in with the unwashed masses. 😉 Fortunately we were early and walk fast, so didn’t miss the parade.
 
LT360 said:
We were able to obtain our DBIDS card yesterday and here are my learnings:

- Fridays afternoons on FB, reunion, parents weekends, etc is not a good time to process. Tuesday-Thursday is supposedly the ideal time.

- the card is only good for 3 years but can be renewed

- take your temporary pass with you— do not leave in car

-temporary pass will allow you to bypass the walk-in security at Gate 1. Just show along with ID to the guards and you can skip the metal detector. Your MIDN can also escort you past the metal detector.

-they will only allow those being processed into building. So leave any minors outside if possible.
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Thank you for the tips we have been delaying getting ours basically due to lack of knowledge And the temp has been serving us well. Luckily we have been able to get down to see our son a few times. Two questions, visitor center by gate 1 is where you transfer your temporary into regular card? Do they only do this during the week, any idea what time? I asked shore patrol yesterday and they didn’t have much info.
 
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Mon-Fri, closes at 2:30, and closed on federal holidays.

We had to fly in a day early specifically for this.

You won’t regret having one. Driving into the yard is awesome I’m so many different scenarios: hauling sams club stuff, sitting in the car and visiting when it’s raining, easy pick up/drop off of Mids and buddies. Swinging by a quick meal to drop off when they can’t leave….

IDK why it’s only 3 yrs though. What happens year #4 if you got it issued during PPW? Is it reissued for one year? Wonder why it isnt just tied to their commissioning date….plus a few months to move 🤔
 
We kept our paper passes for Plebe year. We were able to drive on just fine when we needed to. We just turned in our paper passes last month for the plastic cards and since we waited until our Mid's Youngster year, we won't have to renew prior to Commissioning. No right or wrong way, just whatever works out best for your family.
 
whataluckymom said:
We kept our paper passes for Plebe year. We were able to drive on just fine when we needed to. We just turned in our paper passes last month for the plastic cards and since we waited until our Mid's Youngster year, we won't have to renew prior to Commissioning. No right or wrong way, just whatever works out best for your family.
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Perfect! Thank you! Definitely following your lead on this.
 
2025Navy said:
Perfect! Thank you! Definitely following your lead on this.
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whataluckymom said:
We kept our paper passes for Plebe year. We were able to drive on just fine when we needed to. We just turned in our paper passes last month for the plastic cards and since we waited until our Mid's Youngster year, we won't have to renew prior to Commissioning. No right or wrong way, just whatever works out best for your family.
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If out of town and only coming in on weekends, how do you get the plastic cards?
 
LS1988 said:
If out of town and only coming in on weekends, how do you get the plastic cards?
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They're not open on weekends, so you will have to see if you can get in when they're open during a weekday. We are from out of town also and had to fly in on a Friday morning in order to get ours.
 
Rookie questions form a plebe's parent:
What are benefits of getting a plastic DBIDS card over the temporary pass - other than expiration date?
Is the plastics DBIDS card valid just on the yard or somewhere else?
Let's say we want to visit USAFA in December - would it work there?
 
whataluckymom said:
Hyvee We kept our paper passes for Plebe year. We were able to drive on just fine when we needed to. We just turned in our paper passes last month for the plastic cards and since we
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whataluckymom said:
They're not open on weekends, so you will have to see if you can get in when they're open during a weekday. We are from out of town also and had to fly in on a Friday morning in order to get ours.
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And we even had to fly in on a Thursday, bc they close at 2:30.
 
I got mine this past friday - no line - took about 5 mins! very easy and great to have to drive on the yard all weekend - my paper one was falling apart and completely faded - just need your DL and the paper temporary card - they take your picture and finger prints and make you a card and yes they are only open weekdays until 2:30.
 
MidCakePa said:
Go straight to Gate 1 entrance and have it renewed. Better than getting turned back at Gate 8 when you’re in a hurry. It’ll be renewed for one year.
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Thanks in advance.
I’m new at this. I’ve contacted several AIRBNB across from Gate 1. Is this a good idea to just stay across from Gate 1 (no driving)? I asked the owner how far is gate 1 from gate 8. The response was 1 mile.
What exactly is the significance of gate 8 vs gate 1?
 
Gate 8 is the 24-hour base gate, used only by people with DoD/Fed credentials of some kind. Faster, no scanner, less traffic. Gate 1 has hours and is the “all others” security point. The vehicle access times differ from the pedestrian times at Gate 1. Google “USNA gate hours” for latest.


If you are driving your mid back from dinner, and Gate 1 is closed, you head around to Gate 8, go through security, and drop your mid at their best access door into Bancroft Hall. It is indeed about a mile between 1 and 8 - around the outside of the Yard. Then it is almost another mile from Gate 8 to Bancroft inside the Yard, depending which wing.
 
Banzaipipeline said:
Is this a good idea to just stay across from Gate 1 (no driving)?
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I don't recall the last time I had (or wanted ) a car in Annapolis. Everything I want to see or do (up to the Westin on West Street) is an easy walk, and you don't need to deal with traffic or parking. Sure, some with Midshipmen may want to get out of town , so a car is handy, but if just visiting for the weekend, its very easy to do without. (Just thought of an exception -- a car would help to get out to Cantlers !)
 
Ah--- I remember Gate8; what a wonderful discovery it was----if you needed to drive onto campus.

I agree with Old B&G. An Annapolis weekend would be just fine on foot with maybe 1 or 2 Ubers. That said I can't remember a single visit out to see DD, where she didn't want to get the hell out of Annapolis and head into DC, or Baltimore. We even made a run up to Pilly once.

AZDad, did you live in England or a UK former colony before immigrating to the US?
 
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