Military ID is all access pass to benefits and facilities

Photo By 1st Lt. Wes Parrell | Spc. Kathryn Connor assists Retired Army Lt. Col. Howard Bixby and his wife Penny at the Papago Park Military reservation DEERS Office here March 19. The Arizona National Guard operates five DEERS office locations across the state and can assist active-duty, reservist, retired service members, and Department of Defense employees from all branches with their DEERS needs. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Spc. Wesley Parrell)  

PHOENIX, AZ, UNITED STATES

04.28.2015

Story by Spc. Wes Parrell 

Arizona National Guard Public Affairs

PHOENIX – A military or dependent ID is a valuable asset which can unlock a variety of benefits, such as health care through TRICARE, education benefits, and access base facilities, including the commissary, base and post exchanges, recreation centers and other support agencies.

The Arizona National Guard’s Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) offices are full service centers for military and dependent identification cards for active-duty, reservist, retired service members, and Department of Defense employees from all branches.

“It is extremely important for service members and their dependents to possess a current military Identification and have the most up to date information in the DEERS system,” said Army Sgt. Aaron Uraine, DEERS Verifying Official for the Papago Park Military Reservation office. “Expired ID Cards and outdated information can cause a disruption of medical care and benefits or denied access to military instillations and facilities.”

Only certain individuals are eligible to receive a military ID card or dependent ID card. You are usually eligible to receive a military ID if you are a military retiree or are currently in the military (active duty, Guard, Reserve, or Inactive Ready Reserve), military dependent or federal employee.

The Arizona National Guard Operates five DEERS offices throughout the State with two in Tucson, two in Phoenix and one near Flagstaff.

“Most of our offices are full service and can provide the same assistance as an active duty base DEERS office can,” said Army Staff Sgt, Louis Ridley, Site Security Manager for the Papago Park Military Reservation DEERS office. “Even at our busier offices such as here at Papago Park which services over 1,000 people a month, the average wait time is less than 30 minutes.”

Retired Army Lt. Col. Howard Bixby and his wife Penny are residents of Lakeside Arizona and have traveled regularly to the Arizona National Guard DEERS offices in Phoenix and Belmont. They say that the services provided by the Arizona National Guard are second to none.

“I retired after 24 years of military service in 1986,” said Bixby. “Living in a remote area of the state has been a challenge to find facilities that can assist with my military benefits needs. The offices provided by the Arizona National Guard have made it much easier to update my DEERS information and renew my wife’s ID card.”


To obtain or renew an ID card, customers must have two forms of valid identification. ID Card Center policy will not allow any exceptions for those who are unable to provide the required documentation.

“Many times a person will come in to renew an expired ID card but not bring the proper documents or other valid forms of identification,” said Ridley. “Once an ID Card is expired it can no longer be accepted as a valid form of ID and other documents will be required to process the request.”

Birth Certificates, Social Security Cards, Marriage Certificates, and other government issued identification cards, such as a driver’s license, are all necessary documents for many DEERS transactions. Any documents from a foreign government need to be accompanied by an official translation from that countries consulate office to be accepted into DEERS.

For further information about the DEERS offices and documentation requirements need for specific services visit:

https://www.azguard.gov/SoldierSupport/I.D.Cards.htm

Visit an Arizona National Guard DEERS Office at:

Papago Park Military Reservation
1335 N. 52nd ST. Bldg. M5710
Phoenix AZ 85008
(602)-267-2553, 2785, or 2750
0800 -1600 Mon. – Fri
(open 0900-1500 Drill Weekends)

Camp Navajo
Bldg. 1
Belmont AZ 86015
[phone]
Wednesday 8am - 12pm
Thursday 12pm - 3pm or by appointment

162nd Wing
1650 E. Perimeter Way Bldg 1 Room 135
Tucson AZ 85706
(520)-295-6148 or 6612
Hours 0800-1430 Mon. – Fri or by appointment

161st Air Refueling Wing
3200 E. Old Tower Rd. Bldg 10 Room 117
Phoenix AZ 85034
[phone] or 9393
Hours 0730-1100 and 1200-1600 Tues -Thur

Western ARNG Aviation Training Site
Silver Bell Army Heliport
Address: Bldg L4500, Room 13,
Marana 85653
Phone: [phone] / 5239
Hours 0830-1530 Mon – Fri or by appointment

• Date Taken: 04.28.2015
• Date Posted: 04.28.2015 11:44
• Story ID: 161528
• Location: PHOENIX, AZ, US