What is a U.S. Military Identification Card?
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) began issuing its Common Access Card (CAC) in October 2006 in compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12. (24,25) The latter concerned the federal policy for a common identification standard for federal employees and contractors. For example, it says, Wide variations in the quality and security of forms of identification used to gain access to secure Federal and other facilities where there is potential for terrorist attacks need to be eliminated. Therefore, it is the policy of the United States to enhance security, increase Government efficiency, reduce identity fraud, and protect personal privacy by establishing a mandatory, Government-wide standard for secure and reliable forms of identification issued by the Federal Government to its employees and contractors (including contractor employees). (25) The DOD was having problems with the production and use of fraudulent military identification cards before the attacks of September 1
