Baghdad's Version of the DMV Staffed By the 72nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team

Photo By Staff Sgt. Melissa Bright | In this image released by the Texas Army National Guard, Pearland, Texas, resident...... read more read more

Photo By Staff Sgt. Melissa Bright | In this image released by the Texas Army National Guard, Pearland, Texas, resident Capt. Benjamin Gonzales, Headquarters Company of the 72nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, laminates a renewed placard at the Placard Office on Camp Prosperity, Baghdad.  see less | View Image Page

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

06.07.2010

Story by Sgt. Melissa Bright 

72nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (36th ID, TXARNG)

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BAGHDAD - Over the low, crackly hum of an overworked air conditioner, Sgt. First Class Gerald Collier, patiently answers questions presented by the customer standing in the middle of the placard office on Forward Operating Base Prosperity, Baghdad.

Everyone who comes in his office wants to know the same thing: how long does it take to renew a vehicle placard; how do I get one in the first place?

Placards are the theater equivalent of a vehicle registration sticker in the States, only this version is an 8x11 sheet of laminated paper with information on the front and back that allows the vehicle to pass through various checkpoints with a minimum amount of hassle.

Used by the military, contractors and local vendors, they allow access to the International Zone, through area checkpoints, onto area FOBs or a combination of these. Entrances to these locations are guarded fiercely to aid in protecting the temporary and permanent residents of the International Zone and the dispensing of access granting placards is a serious matter.

Collier explains to the customer that while the original application can take up to two-weeks to gain approval, turn around for a renewal is usually only about 30 minutes. After going over a few additional questions, Collier directs him to have a seat in one of the chairs in the next room.

The office is staffed by soldiers deployed with the Headquarters Company of the 72nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Division, Texas Army National Guard, under the auspices of the Joint Area Support Group Central. This includes Pearland resident, Capt. Benjamin Gonzales, a Leander native, Collier and Houstonian, Spc. Jesus Urieta.

Their doors are open six days a week and it is not unusual to find them working long after regular business hours to process the incoming applications.

There are currently more than four thousand placards facilitating travel around the IZ and since their arrival in December, the office has processed and approved the application for an additional fifteen hundred new ones.

The application process itself is simple and can be completed either on-line or in the office. Just be sure to have the vehicle make and model, vehicle identification number and an up-loadable picture; badge information of applicant/sponsor and contact information.

After you receive your initial laminated registration card, renewals are scheduled based on need and length of contract work. Generally speaking, the access lasts for between 90 to 180 days, depending on if the holder is civilian or military.

"That was one of our major changes," said Collier. "The unit that ran this office previously held all renewals at 90 days. But, they had more personnel than we do and could handle the flow of traffic in and out of the office."

"It just makes more sense to extend out the placards that belong to military vehicles to 180 days; they already have orders to be here."

With the flow of civilians and contractors in and around the area, new placard applications maintain a steady pace; however, renewals vary by month.

"We have seen everything from 500 renewals in one month to 2500. It just depends," said Gonzales.

"As units roll in and out of here, we see the numbers go up, but we are prepared for it as long as we have enough basic supplies on hand," said Collier. "That usually means a three-month supply of laminate and 8X11 paper."

In Iraq, finding supplies that work with the American-made equipment can sometimes be difficult, especially when it comes to paper for the printers. Finding out how much was enough took a while to figure out, but gradually the office rhythm was worked out.

The only other issue that has to be dealt with on a regular basis is, ironically enough, denying access. "Sometimes people come in and they want access to a FOB that we have no control over. It's hard to get them to understand that our Mayor cannot grant access to someone else's FOB, but eventually they get it," said Collier.

According to Gonzales, despite supply shortages and short-fuse attitudes the guys in the Placard Office maintain high spirits and good attitudes.

"We have fun. We help people out and we love our job."