The Defense Manpower Data Center recently implemented a new system to make it easier for service members and their families to get and maintain identification cards. The new RAPIDS (Real-time Automated Personnel Identification System) program is a self-portal service that allows service members and reservists that carry the Defense Department’s common access card (CAC) to apply for family ID cards or retirement cards, or update their dependents’ status online.

A long time in the works, the RAPIDS program will make the process of getting ID cards and maintaining records much easier for the 3.7 million service members that are eligible. Now it is no longer necessary to spend hours waiting in line with their families to get ID cards. Before implementing RAPIDS, service members and their families had to submit applications to a Defense Manpower Data Center in person and wait while the ID card was being made.

To use RAPIDS, common access card holders simply go to the RAPIDS website, find the listing for their dependents, fill out Form No. 1172-2 for their family members to receive an ID card, and affix a digital signature. When the cards are ready, the family members can go to the closest Defense Manpower Data Center to pick up the card. Many card centers now accept appointments for card pick-ups.

For service members deployed overseas, the new process relieves a huge burden since they no longer have to be physically with their families to apply for and pick up dependents’ ID cards. In the future, the DMDC hopes to include alerts for when an ID card is about to expire.

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