Access to Fort Detrick Gets Easier With Survivor Access Badge

FREDERICK, MD, UNITED STATES

03.03.2020

Story by lanessa hill 

Fort Detrick

After mounting frustration by surviving family members regarding access to certain Army installations, the Army decided to make a change.
As a result of a complaint lodged through the Army Family Action Plan, the Army has decided to introduce the “Survivor Access Card” in an effort to make entrance to installations easier for survivors of those who died while serving our Nation.

The new policy applies to all garrisons with either an Army Community Service or a Survivor Outreach Services Office that is currently inaccessible to surviving family members who don’t have a proper DOD identification card. The SOS Coordinator in the Defense Casualty Information Processing System will verify survivors for eligibility. Eligible surviving family members who meet the criteria to receive the Gold Star lapel button or next of kin lapel button, including widow/widower, parent, child, step-child, child through adoption, brother, half-brother, sister and half-sister can obtain the Survivor Access Badge.

“The Survivor Outreach Services Program is designed to support surviving family members who have lost their loved ones, are often in a state of shock, and don’t know where to turn,” said Liz Dague, Fort Detrick Survivor Outreach Services Coordinator. “We don’t want them to experience additional frustration just trying to get on post.”
The Survivor Access Badge does not provide any additional benefits or entitlements not already authorized to the surviving family members. The issued Survivor Access Card is not eligible for use under the Trusted Traveler Program
In short, the card creates simpler, quicker access to Post for surviving family members who do not currently have a DOD identification card. Surviving family members who already have a military identification card granting installation access –such as a DD form 1173 or Common Access Card– are not eligible to receive a “Survivor Access Card.”
“We need to be the rock for our survivors and support them in any way we can,” said Dague. “This includes seamless entry to Fort Detrick. If we make getting on to the installation easier for them, the whole experience will be better.”
To assist with workforce education regarding the change, Dague personally trained Fort Detrick gate guards and first responders on Post on how to spot the new cards.
Said Dague, “I work with a lot of families and I needed everyone who provides that first face-to-face interaction with our families to know what the badge looks like, understand what it represents, and treat the survivor with the dignity and respect they deserve.”
The Fort Detrick SOS Support Program cares for approximately 215 survivors in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.
In early February, a letter was mailed to all survivors notifying them of their eligibility and encouraging registration for the “Survivor Access Card.” Survivor Outreach Service car decals are also available through the SOS Coordinator which authorizes the user to park in designated spaces throughout the installation.
The SOS Coordinator will work closely with surviving family members requesting the badge, including verifying eligibility, assisting with the completion of vetting forms, and providing SOS parking decals. For more information, please contact Ms. Elizabeth Dague, Fort Detrick Survivor Outreach Service Coordinator, at [phone].
The Army’s Survivor Outreach Services program provides dedicated and comprehensive support services to eligible Gold Star and next of kin family members. The SOS program has a network of civilians serving as advocates for survivors.
Please visit your local garrison’s Survivor Outreach Services survey to let us know how we can serve you better by visiting: https://ice.disa.mil/index.cfm?fa=card&sp=143814&s=438&dep=*DoD

• Date Taken: 03.03.2020
• Date Posted: 03.03.2020 15:32
• Story ID: 364389
• Location: FREDERICK, MD, US