Veterans committee backs resolution urging federal return of civilian DOD retiree ID cards

Senator Kaler Good, sponsor of Senate Concurrent Resolution 7, told the Veterans and Military Development Committee that the resolution asks Congress and the Department of Defense to reinstate civilian retiree identification cards so retired civilian DOD employees can access military installations without repeated permission from installation commanders.

The measure matters to thousands of former civilian DOD employees who used to present a civilian retiree ID once for base access and now, after a DoD change in February 2023 tied to Real ID requirements, must request permission from a commander and show a Real ID and retirement paperwork each time they visit. "Civilian employees of the DOD form a vital indispensable component of our national defense," Kaler said, arguing that reinstatement would restore previously routine access to base museums, campgrounds and other recreational facilities.

Kaler told the committee the DoD stopped issuing civilian retiree ID cards in February 2023 pursuant to the federal Real ID rules and related DoD policy, and that the change has forced retirees to present multiple documents and seek base-level permission on every visit. He said the resolution "urges Congress to once again issue the civilian retiree ID cards and to qualify ... DOD civilian retirees and to ensure the cards are accepted for access to military recreational areas without the need for further documentation or permission from base commanders." He also said the resolution unanimously passed the state senate and acquired 26 sponsors.

Committee members pressed for details. Representative de Villa asked, "Is this just for retired or for, for separated?" Kaler said he would have Mr. Robert Beach, a civilian retiree who spurred the resolution, address eligibility specifics when he testifies and that the sponsor would follow up with clarifying information on eligibility and counts. Representative Gamari asked which entitlements prompt access to bases; Kaler said Mr. Beach would provide those details. Representative McNally asked whether other states have passed similar resolutions; Kaler said he did not know and suggested the committee could be the first.

Several members described the kinds of installations and privileges at stake. Representative Willis noted the importance of maintaining access to Morale, Welfare and Recreation facilities, commissaries and family camping areas at installations such as Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, saying retirees should not have to "go through a lot of hoops to get a visitor's pass when they have been in the front lines in a lot of cases." Kaler gave an example reported to him in which a retiree was permitted on a base but the retiree's spouse was denied access.

The sponsor and members said they did not have an authoritative count of how many civilian retirees nationwide are affected; Kaler said he would obtain that number and additional implementation details. Kaler also said he believed the prior civilian retiree cards had a renewal period (he referenced five years) but that he would verify the renewal schedule and administrative logistics. No committee vote was taken at the first hearing.

Committee staff noted proponent testimony is expected from Robert Beach and others with written testimony; the sponsor said those witnesses would explain how the change affects retirees in Ohio and nationally. The committee also conducted a third hearing on House Bill 204 during the same meeting; the committee reported no opponent or interested-party testimony for that bill.

The resolution seeks a federal restoration of an identification practice formerly used to streamline access for retired civilian DOD employees; the committee requested additional eligibility, scale and implementation details from the sponsor and indicated it will hear Mr. Beach's proponent testimony at a future date.