Getting on base

[ARandomCadet]

Hopefully this will not cause too much backlash, like some of my previous posts that I have made. When going on base (it may not be for CAP necessarily, but hey civilian contractors can get on even if they aren't going to their job, so why can't we) since I am too young to have a drivers license, do I have to stop at the base visitors center so my mom or dad can get a visitors pass thingy? Or can my CAPID get both of us on base? I wasn't sure, since I'm not old enough to drive.

[Eclipse]

It depends on the base - ask them.

[a2capt]

Base by base, day by day, hour by hour. They're all subject to change, though I'd have to say it may not change to the extreme that often, but.. A cadet in uniform, a driver that knows exactly where they're going, and without hesitation answers the questions, might be the ticket. Or you might have to go in.

But chances are you won't be the first to have to do "whatever" it is, and the unit may even have something worked out with the PMO.

Ask at your unit for the best answer.

[ARandomCadet]

Base by base, day by day, hour by hour. They're all subject to change, though I'd have to say it may not change to the extreme that often, but.. A cadet in uniform, a driver that knows exactly where they're going, and without hesitation answers the questions, might be the ticket. Or you might have to go in.

But chances are you won't be the first to have to do "whatever" it is, and the unit may even have something worked out with the PMO.

Ask at your unit for the best answer.

Ok thanks, I was asking since there are numerous events on base that are non-CAP related, and some that are CAP related, and at the main non-CAP related one they have us sign in, and if we have the credentials to get on base then they tell us to use our credentials so we can save space in the cars. And then there are always the CAP events, none if which I have been to, that are on a base.

[CAPAPRN]

I found going into the Navy, medically retiring and having IDs for me and my family works real well! Perhaps you could develop a long term plan also!   (Seriously though- it is a fantastic benefit that we all enjoy- we once took our little kids to Key West and the vacation was saved by the kid friendly Navy base and beach)

[lordmonar]

Hopefully this will not cause too much backlash, like some of my previous posts that I have made. When going on base (it may not be for CAP necessarily, but hey civilian contractors can get on even if they aren't going to their job, so why can't we) since I am too young to have a drivers license, do I have to stop at the base visitors center so my mom or dad can get a visitors pass thingy? Or can my CAPID get both of us on base? I wasn't sure, since I'm not old enough to drive.

a)  I am a civilian contractor.....and NO we are not supposed to be on base outside of duty hours.....just as CAP members should only be going onto base for CAP business.

b)  Minors cannot sponsor anyone on base.  You are entitled to be on base via your CAPID CARD but you can't get your parent onto base....so your are SOL.

c) Every base is a little different....and not every gate guard is as diligent in their duties....so YMMV.

[ARandomCadet]

Hopefully this will not cause too much backlash, like some of my previous posts that I have made. When going on base (it may not be for CAP necessarily, but hey civilian contractors can get on even if they aren't going to their job, so why can't we) since I am too young to have a drivers license, do I have to stop at the base visitors center so my mom or dad can get a visitors pass thingy? Or can my CAPID get both of us on base? I wasn't sure, since I'm not old enough to drive.

a)  I am a civilian contractor.....and NO we are not supposed to be on base outside of duty hours.....just as CAP members should only be going onto base for CAP business.

b)  Minors cannot sponsor anyone on base.  You are entitled to be on base via your CAPID CARD but you can't get your parent onto base....so your are SOL.

c) Every base is a little different....and not every gate guard is as diligent in their duties....so YMMV.

Sorry about the civilian contractor thing, here I have heard that if you got the card to get on base you get on base. So y'all aren't necessarily supposed to, but most gate guards probably don't know your schedule so they would just assume that y'all are going to work.

[UH60guy]

Really depends on the base and how much training/communication the gate guards have with their chain of command and CAP unit. Ours are supposed to let CAP members on (meeting nights only), but now started giving a hard time. For example, cadets have to be 16 to sponsor their parent driving them- but logic dictates that if they're 16, usually they're driving themselves anyway. Other gate guards know the agreements and let the parents on, just depends on who you get and how well they've been trained and briefed on CAP unfortunately.

However, just FYI- when you talk about other events on base, remember that these are events are usually only for base personnel (military, military family, retirees, and sometimes DoD civilians) and you aren't necessarily entitled to attend on a contractor's ID or CAP ID. They're supposed to check for military IDs all over base- like you're not even supposed to use the gas station or bowling alley without a military ID- but in practice it's usually just the PX/BX, commissary, and military clothing sales store that check. In short (notice I say short after a long paragraph), with a CAP ID you usually should only be going on base for CAP-related functions such as a regular meeting or CAP-led field trip.

[kirbahashi]

As everyone else has said here, it is really base dependent, and even more painfully guard specific.  Some of the guards are sharp and on it.  Some are just there.  And before folks start flaming me for that comment, I wore the beret for 12 years... 

The one thing I recommend though is this, go the Law Enforcement Desk, MP Operation Center, what have you and ask for a copy of the regulation (or just the excerpt) that covers entrance to the base by members of CAP.  It has cleared up many issues here for my members (non-DOD) where I am at.

[spaatzmom]

Hopefully this will not cause too much backlash, like some of my previous posts that I have made. When going on base (it may not be for CAP necessarily, but hey civilian contractors can get on even if they aren't going to their job, so why can't we) since I am too young to have a drivers license, do I have to stop at the base visitors center so my mom or dad can get a visitors pass thingy? Or can my CAPID get both of us on base? I wasn't sure, since I'm not old enough to drive.

Cadet Rainey, 

You have been a member of this forum for 2 months today and this is now your 4th user name, why?  Most of the questions you pose can be answered, like the one above, by asking your recently retired military father or by actually reading the regulations of CAP.  So why ask here?  I am all for being inquisitive, but at some point you have to do your own research and stop taking the easy way out in finding out things.  Also you continually inject the "I was told/heard" phrase into your posts which really doesn't help your arguments.  Please, this forum has been very patient with you realizing you are only 12 and I dare say excitable/ enthusiastic, but it is coming to an end, sooner than later, I am afraid.  I do hope you find what you are looking for in your life, but right now, it seems that a slower, more personally researched approach to your extra curricular activities would better suit you in understanding the basics of the organizations in which you hold memberships and grow from there.  Good luck in your endeavors.

My apology on the recently retired military father statement as I confused you with another cadet with basically the same posting type issues.

[JK657]

I am just curious as to what events are occurring on the base that are not CAP related but you want to partake in?

[MSG Mac]

As stated earlier, entrance to the base varies and is set by the base commander. MacDill for example doesn't even allow commercial vehicles (taxis and busses), Andrews on the other hand will accept the CAP ID every time. If there is an event at the local base, which is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, attend it as a private citizen. If it's a unit or strictly military event, don't attend.

[lordmonar]

Hopefully this will not cause too much backlash, like some of my previous posts that I have made. When going on base (it may not be for CAP necessarily, but hey civilian contractors can get on even if they aren't going to their job, so why can't we) since I am too young to have a drivers license, do I have to stop at the base visitors center so my mom or dad can get a visitors pass thingy? Or can my CAPID get both of us on base? I wasn't sure, since I'm not old enough to drive.

a)  I am a civilian contractor.....and NO we are not supposed to be on base outside of duty hours.....just as CAP members should only be going onto base for CAP business.

b)  Minors cannot sponsor anyone on base.  You are entitled to be on base via your CAPID CARD but you can't get your parent onto base....so your are SOL.

c) Every base is a little different....and not every gate guard is as diligent in their duties....so YMMV.

Sorry about the civilian contractor thing, here I have heard that if you got the card to get on base you get on base. So y'all aren't necessarily supposed to, but most gate guards probably don't know your schedule so they would just assume that y'all are going to work.

Shows what you know.....

[ARandomCadet]

Hopefully this will not cause too much backlash, like some of my previous posts that I have made. When going on base (it may not be for CAP necessarily, but hey civilian contractors can get on even if they aren't going to their job, so why can't we) since I am too young to have a drivers license, do I have to stop at the base visitors center so my mom or dad can get a visitors pass thingy? Or can my CAPID get both of us on base? I wasn't sure, since I'm not old enough to drive.

a)  I am a civilian contractor.....and NO we are not supposed to be on base outside of duty hours.....just as CAP members should only be going onto base for CAP business.

b)  Minors cannot sponsor anyone on base.  You are entitled to be on base via your CAPID CARD but you can't get your parent onto base....so your are SOL.

c) Every base is a little different....and not every gate guard is as diligent in their duties....so YMMV.

Sorry about the civilian contractor thing, here I have heard that if you got the card to get on base you get on base. So y'all aren't necessarily supposed to, but most gate guards probably don't know your schedule so they would just assume that y'all are going to work.

Shows what you know.....

I don't know much, but here (but not necessarily elsewhere) I have heard of contractors being able to go on base to the BX and the rest of the like (there is a kid here whose dad is a contractor and is deployed and his family can get on whenever, another kid has a dad who is a contractor and he can go to base housing and swim there) so I've heard if some contractors and their families being able to get on base whenever they want.

[UH60guy]

I don't know much, but here (but not necessarily elsewhere) I have heard of contractors being able to go on base to the BX and the rest of the like (there is a kid here whose dad is a contractor and is deployed and his family can get on whenever, another kid has a dad who is a contractor and he can go to base housing and swim there) so I've heard if some contractors and their families being able to get on base whenever they want.

According to the AAFES (PX/BX) website, contractors only have the unlimited privileges when stationed overseas.
http://www.shopmyexchange.com/exchangestores/patronsmerchandise/patrons.htm

Civil Air Patrol is listed under the limited privileges tab.

If a contractor's using the PX stateside, it's probably because the CAC card looks pretty similar to a military one and the clerk is untrained. Either that, or they're also a military retiree which is pretty common.

Other restrictions will vary base by base, such as the pool rules you mentioned.

[Storm Chaser]

As a CAP member, the only valid reasons to go on base are to attend CAP meetings/activities or to go to Military Clothing Sales Store (MCSS) to purchase authorized uniform items. Beyond that, a CAP member normally does not have access to military bases.

Depending on the base, your CAPID card and your parent's driver's license may be all you need. Some bases may require your parents to get a visitor pass. This can also depend on agreements between the bases and the tenant CAP units, so procedures will vary. But the most important thing to understand is that CAP members may be allowed to enter military installations for the reasons stated above, but that CAP membership in itself does not provide any special rights or privileges to do so.

[Storm Chaser]

Contractors may also use Exchange facilities to eat lunch, etc.

[ARandomCadet]

Contractors may also use Exchange facilities to eat lunch, etc.

And so can CAP, as long as its all consumed on base. Or at least that's what the AAFES website says last time I checked.

[Garibaldi]

I know that in GAWG, if you want access to Dobbins, you have to contact the wing admin at least 24 hours in advance to get access.

[UH60guy]

Contractors may also use Exchange facilities to eat lunch, etc.

And so can CAP, as long as its all consumed on base. Or at least that's what the AAFES website says last time I checked.

True... and interesting... to use AAFES' own words, you may very well be able to use the commissary, provided you eat it before leaving. Of course they have no way to verify as much, so they'll probably not sell it. However, if you were to purchase a pound of ground beef and a dozen eggs and devour them while in the checkout line, you might be OK.

*Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness