Retired Military ID
 

New member here. Had to post the following which is a copy of a recently submitted "issue" to TSA via the web site. Sorry if it a bit long winded.

In regards to accepted I.D. requirements at the TSA checkpoint your web site states the following is acceptable out of the items on the list, "U.S. military ID (active duty or retired military and their dependents, and DoD civilians). I have twice now presented my Retired Military ID at the checkpoint and it has not been accepted. Once because the I.D. checker stated he did not recognize the I.D. (Sacramento) and the second time because the checker could not read my signature (Dayton). When I asked a supervisor at Sacramento upon my return about the validity of my I.D. he stated it was an old style and therefore not allowed.
I call your attention to the following web site, http://www.cac.mil/uniformed-services-id-card/ and http://www.cac.mil/common-access-card/. These two sites show the current DoD valid I.D. cards for retired, dependents, reserves, active duty, etc. The retired card is different than the active duty card (which is the card probably most commonly seen at airports.) This however should not stop a retired military member from using his/her I.D. card at the security checkpoints.

I fail to understand why the TSA site states the I.D. is acceptable for use while the TSA agents do not and will not accept it as valid. I do understand a possible bit of confusion between the active and retired cards since at one time all the I.D.'s looked like the retired cards.

As a former military member, now retired, I find that the use of a Federal/DoD issued retired I.D. card not being allowed for I.D. purposes to be somewhat disconcerting. (Even Disneyland/Disney World recognizes and accepts it. And you can't doubt the mouse.)

One of two things should be in order, revise the web site showing the retired cards are not allowed which may be an insult to retired members who have honorably and faithfully served the country or post the acceptable military I.D.'s as a chart at the checkers podium and/or emphasize it at training.

I also refer you to my previous inquiry response #3082157 which was the answer to my first issue.

Regards,

Daniel J. Milosevich, TSgt. USAF (Retired)

Daniel,

I am also retired AF. I exclusively use my retiree ID card when I check in and I haven't had a problem. I am not sure what they mean "old style" other than than the DOD changed ID cards where it doesn't have our SSANs on them.

Hopefully one of the few TSA people that sometimes respond on here can shed some light on what you experienced.

Older (~20 years ago) the retired military ID had INDEF for an expiration date. TSA didn't like that. Of course for a retired member the date the card is no longer good was the date of death. Now they issue a replacement at 65,

I haven't had problems with my retired ID in recent years.

What's written on the TSA website and what really happens at checkpoints can so often be diametrically opposite. The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing.

For instance, AskTSA claims they no longer use HHMD, but passengers claim otherwise.

Many Active Officer ID cards used to say that also, before CAC. My brand new AF 2nd Lt ID card said INDEF... many moons ago. Even certain folks in the military used to have a problem with it sometimes!

I have had TSA workers question an Official US Passport (meaning the brown official travel ones). It never ceases to amaze with the ID checkers.

I have never used mine because I can't stand the patronizing "Thank-you for your service." that inevitability follows along with the feeling that there is commonality between the uniformed services and TSA in national defense.

Just an update. Almost a month and finally had TSA contact. Was told the Retired Military ID is a valid form of I.D. And yes please feel free to use it as you wish. No mention of why not use your license or anything else other than the I.D. types have been brought to the attention of the screener's and should not have any issue in the future. Now this concerns only Sacramento and was advised if a problem at other airports to bring it to the attention of management/supervisors.

INDEF here
 

I have a retired ID card issued three years ago that has indef as the expiration date. Haven't had a problem with it and I use it frequently. Sounds like Sacramento needs some training help.

My first retired card had indef as an expiration date. Don't remember why but got a new one a few years back and the expiration date was changed to the last day of the month before I turn 65. Supposedly because of the Tricare for Life/Medicare changes at age 65. I'm nearing renewal time so will see what the next one has for expiration.

For TSA purposes I use a Passport card for ID. No thank you for your service and has very little PII on it.

Same with me -- I got a new one a few years ago when I had to get a new dependent ID card for Mrs. Flies. (The Commissary is about the only benefit we have left. :() Mine was "indef" but they took that opportunity to issue me a new one with the expiration as my 65th birthday. The other milestone that occurs at 65 is that you are no longer eligible for recall to active duty without special dispensation.

Oops -- just checked. It's actually 60 and being retired more than five years.

I'm safe.

I have shown mine without incident, to date. Good to see they came back with the answer affirming you can continue using it