CMS/ID CAC Login Makes Life Easier for Sailors

From Navy Personnel Command/Sea Warrior Program Public Affairs

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- An upgrade to Career Management System/Interactive Detailing (CMS/ID), the web-based program enlisted Sailors use to negotiate permanent change of station orders (PCS) has improved new Sailor access by simplifying log-in procedures, officials said Jan. 18.

"Sometimes the smallest changes make the biggest impacts," said Donald Pellinen, CMS/ID project director. "That's what happened when the CMS/ID technical team enabled users to access the CMS/ID application using their command access card (CAC)."

Before this seemingly simple enhancement, Sailors, detailers, and other new users of CMS/ID had to login to the system using a password and their social security number. CMS/ID was yet another system that required Sailors to create and save login credentials, like a user name and password, which they had to remember for the rest of their naval career; an unrealistic expectation given the system is used on an "as needed" basis, which sometimes could be only during the orders negotiation process every three to four years.

"Sailors usually call the CMS/ID help desk an average of 500 calls per month with 50 percent of the calls for password reset," said Pellinen. "Leadership asked us to see if there was anything we could do to reduce the help desk calls related to password resets."

Improving and streamlining information technology to generate business efficiency is a critical goal. Opportunities to maximize technology in order to make business tasks faster and easier frees up Sailors' time to focus on their mission at hand, according to Pellinen.

"One month after implementing the CAC login we received only 17 help desk calls requiring assistance in accessing CMS/ID," said Pellinen.

CMS/ID has evolved over the years from a basic job advertising website to a core career management tool. Sailors can view aspects of their personnel information, search for job opportunities, update duty assignment desires and submit applications for their next duty assignment.

"Much of the functionality found in CMS/ID is a direct result of input and request from Sailors and career counselors," said Pellinen.

Sailors can learn more about using CMS/ID and access the web site by clicking the "Career Management System" link on the Navy Personnel Command web site at www.npc.navy.mil.>

Photocopying of Military ID Cards and CAC Cards Prohibited

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Monique K. Hilley, Commander, Navy Installations Command Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Commander, Navy Installations Command issued an announcement reminding all personnel that the photocopying of military identification cards and common access cards (CAC) is strictly prohibited as of Nov. 1.

There have been recent incidents reported of commercial establishments photocopying U.S. government identification to verify military affiliation or provide government rates for service. These incidents are a violation of Title 18, U.S. Code, Part I, Chapter 33, Section 701 and are punishable by fine and/or imprisonment.

Although commercial establishments may request to see military/government identification, they may not photocopy or duplicate it in any way. Many military personnel and commercial establishments are unaware of the prohibition and the reasons it exists, which results in this being a fairly common practice.

Because of the access the cards grant, criminal elements and terrorist organizations place obtaining U.S. government identifications at a premium when planning acts against the U.S. military. If a copied military or government identification fell into the wrong hands, it could spell disaster for the Armed Forces and the nation.

Unfortunately, there are no safeguards in place to prevent a counterfeit military/government identification card from being produced based on a photocopy provided to a commercial establishment. For this reason, personnel are requested to remain vigilant in ensuring they do not allow anyone to photocopy their identification cards.

CNIC recommends that all personnel, both military and civilian, provide a state drivers license or other form of photo identification to be photocopied when there is a request for such information by a commercial establishment.

DOD to Drop Social Security Numbers from ID Cards

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 1, 2011 – Beginning June 1, Social Security numbers on military identification cards will begin to disappear, said Air Force Maj. Monica M. Matoush, a Pentagon spokeswoman.

The effort is part of a larger plan to protect service members and other DOD identification card holders from identity theft, officials said.

Criminals use Social Security numbers to steal identities, allowing them to pillage resources, establish credit or to hijack credit cards, bank accounts or debit cards.

Currently, the Social Security number is printed on the back of common access cards, and on the front of cards issued to dependents and retirees. Beginning in June, when current cards expire, they will be replaced with new cards having a DOD identification number replacing the Social Security number, officials said. The DOD identification number is a unique 10-digit number that is assigned to every person with a direct relationship with the department. The new number also will be the service member’s Geneva Convention identification number.

An 11-digit DOD benefits number also will appear on the cards of those people eligible for DOD benefits. The first nine digits are common to a sponsor, the official said, and the last two digits will identify a specific person within the sponsor’s family.

Social Security numbers embedded in the bar codes on the back of identification cards will remain there for the time being, and will be phased out beginning in 2012.

The department will replace identification cards as they expire.

“Because cards will be replaced upon expiration, it will be approximately four years until all cards are replaced with the DOD ID number,” Matoush said.

The identity protection program began in 2008, when DOD started removing Social Security numbers from family member identification cards.