CAC

The Common Access Card - your key to the military. While at first glance a simple ID card, the CAC is so important that I thought it deserved its own page.

Why should I care?

While you may not need your CAC until your first ADT, I highly recommend you obtain yours as soon as your commissioning paperwork is processed.

1. Your CAC gives you access to military Exchanges and Commissaries with any branch affiliation. There you can purchase pretty much everything you need for daily living as well as everything you need for your military duty (uniforms, equipment, etc). Grocery items are sold at a significant discount, even when compared to places like Target or Walmart.
2. You can obtain military discounts at a surprising number of shops and businesses. Some banks even offer nice perks to military members.
3. You can use your card to log in to every online military source you need. Believe me when I say that plugging your card into a card reader is significantly easier to log in than a username and password for government websites. In fact, the only way to access your military e-mail is with your CAC card and a CAC reader (see below).
4. You will save time and hassle when you get to DCC/BOLC. You will have a LOT to do your first weekend at DCC/BOLC, anything you can do to reduce the amount of running around you have to do will serve you well.

How do I obtain my card?

You obtain your card by visiting a RAPIDS station. You can find a location here and set up an appointment here.

Due to my frustrating experiences early on, which I noted on my Timeline page, I recommend you call the HPSP office to confirm that you are in the system for a CAC before making an appointment and going into a RAPIDS station. Remember: you want a "CAC," NOT a "green card." If you are in the system for a green card, contact the HPSP office to get this fixed. The green card is a reservist card. While you are on reserve while at school, you are on active duty at BOLC and during residency and therefore, need a CAC.

Depending on where you go for your card, you may need up to 3 forms of ID. 1 to leave at the security desk (if you are going to a military base) and 2 for the actual ID card office.

You will have to set a 6-digit pin to be associated with your CAC. DO NOT FORGET THIS NUMBER. You will need to enter it every time you use your CAC to log into a government secured website.

How do I use my card on my computer?

Luckily for me, so many people have had trouble doing this that the military created a CAC website to help you through the process. The site ain't pretty, but it sure is thorough!

https://militarycac.com/EEmail.htm

In summary, you will need a CAC reader, a program to run the reader, and have all of the DOD certificates installed. You may use a Mac or PC (I've set it up for both), however, on the whole, the Army is a bit more PC friendly.

CAC readers are not reimbursable, but only cost $10-20 on Amazon.

I am a moron and locked myself out of my CAC. HELP!

Don't worry, champ, it happens to the best of us. If you have trouble setting up your CAC reader, you may find yourself locked out of your CAC (this is probably due to you entering your pin incorrectly more than 3 times). Unfortunately, the only way to get it unlocked is to go to a RAPIDS station and reset your pin.

Can my spouse get a CAC?

Nope - all of your dependents over the age of 10 can receive their own Uniformed Services ID. This will allow them privileges such as Commissary and Exchange access, base access, and more.

In order to obtain this card, they must first be registered in DEERS. Once completed, you may make an appointment at a RAPIDS station and bring all necessary supporting documents.