DBIDS returns guards to their roots

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Elsea
  • 325th Fighter Wing/ Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Defense Biometric Identification System will be implemented at all base entry points beginning April 5, allotting a new, more secure system for all wishing to attain access to Tyndall Air Force Base.

DBIDS is run through a hand-held device that scans identification car bar codes allowing the gate guard to view an individual's name, weight, height, gender, ID type, the last four numbers of their social security number and whether or not they are authorized to enter the base. If denied entry, the device will also determine one of 16 reasons why the individual may not come on base.

"The system allows us to weed out a little more specifically the data eyes might not be catching," said Master Sgt. Edward J. Perreault, 325th Security Forces Squadron NCO in charge of Installation Security. "It puts the security forces member back to doing their job as a cop, assessing the scenario or the scene around them instead of constantly looking at little numbers and digits on a card."

The DBIDS program requires registration from all Department of Defense ID card holders that are of driving age and above. The registration will begin this month and will continue through March.

December and January are reserved for active duty Air Force personnel and their dependents.

"We are going to each unit for registration of military members," said Sergeant Perreault. "People will be scheduled by the hour to come and see us, that way it impacts the mission the least and it is less time away from their job. At the same time we are registering them; their dependents will register at the visitor center."

This process takes approximately two to three minutes, and dependents are not required to have their sponsor with them.

Civilians and contractors are scheduled for registration in January and February at the visitor's center, and retirees are scheduled for February and March at the Conference Center.

Individuals are required come in person with their ID card and any weapon registration if applicable.

"We are trying to register 26,000 people in four months," said Sergeant Perreault. "The Air Education and Training Command's goal is for us to have 80 percent of our military members in the first two months; we are already ahead of the game."

Security Forces members have already completed two phases of training and will undergo two more to ensure the DBIDS program is used properly and efficiently.

Bases that have already implemented the device have had great success.

"Of the first two million, DOD-wide that have attempted to enter an instillation under DBIDS, 54,000 were turned around," said Sergeant Perreault. "There were a lot of people caught who were not supposed to be on base."

For more information contact Master Sgt. Perreault at (850) 283-9913 or Edward.Perreault@tyndall.af.mil