By Vicky Falcón
NAVAIR Public Affairs

Patuxent River personnel heading for meetings at the Pentagon will now be able to use their Common Access Card for access to the building.

According to Joe Cody, head of NAVAIR security, the Pentagon is now accepting the CAC (with a second form of identification) for unescorted entrance. "This is a step forward for the Common Access Card - one of many to come which will help us more efficiently and yet securely allow personnel in and out of our facilities," he said.

Barry Jones, Chief of the Pentagon Building Pass Branch, confirms Cody's assessment.

"What we're doing right now is allowing individuals (both active duty and civilian employees) to show the CAC card to gain access," said Jones. Visitor passes are still a requirement, he added, but "the CAC and a second form of identification (such as a driver's license) can be shown at any building entrance and used to get a pass."

According to Jones, the Navy is leading the pack in CAC issuance. "We're starting to see more and more of the cards as they are distributed," he said.

Debbi Vamosi is Security Supervisor at NAVAIR's Washington Liaison Office. Part of her responsibilities includes coordinating Pentagon visits for NAVAIR personnel.

"There were a few instances when a Pentagon visitor could not get in with a CAC, but those situations have not been common," she said. Vamosi offers some suggestions, though, to help eliminate any potential delays for Pentagon visitors.

"Continue to have a visit request drawn up at least three days prior to your visit," Vamosi suggests. "And make sure you carry two IDs and your Pentagon point-of-contact's name and phone number."

The Common Access Card distribution throughout the Navy is now being handled out of the e-business operations office in Mechanicsburg, Pa. Alexis Anderson, a program analyst and public affairs officer for the CAC, says that distribution of the CAC is in the beginning stages for the Navy (even though NAVAIR issuance is nearly complete).

DOD has chosen the CAC to be the standard identification card for active duty military personnel, selected reservists, civilian employees and eligible contractor personnel. Mass issuance of the CAC was completed here in October, but cards can still be obtained through the Personnel Services Division (for military personnel) or at the pass offices at Gates 1 and 2.

For more information about the CAC, you can log onto the Department of Navy Smart Card Web site at www.donsmartcard.com.

Photo by Darnell Marbury, Visual Communications Specialist, NAVAIR Washington Liaison Office

Caption: NAVAIR Deputy Commander Dr. Al Somoroff, receives his Common Access Card from Maurice Hunt, CAC verifying official.