DOD begins phasing out SSN-carrying IDs

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  As part of Social Security Number Reduction Plan, Department of Defense recently began eliminating Social Security Numbers from identification cards. 

"These changes are being made by DOD to protect the safety and identity of the cardholders," said Mary Cassella, 95th Force Support Squadron site security manager. 

During this change, the Edwards Military Personnel Flight is aiming to remove the social security numbers on ID cards in three phases. Phase I includes removing dependent SSNs, which the MPF already completed. During Phase II, all printed social security numbers, with the exception of Geneva Convention ID cards, will retain the last four digits of the SSN to begin by the end of 2009. Phase III will begin in 2012 where all SSNs embedded in barcodes will be removed. 

"Changes to ID cards will occur when the cardholders renew their expired cards," Ms. Cassella said. "With this, Team Edwards won't have to do anything until they have to renew their cards." 

According to the Defense Manpower Data Center, these changes are in accordance with the DOD policy to reduce the use of the SSN and reinforce the protection for personally identifiable information. Consistent with this, the change aims to reduce the risk of identity theft to the DOD population while maintaining continuity of business processes. 

Since the ID cards will be replaced as they expire, the MPF won't see an increased influx of customers. 

"It should be business as usual," Ms. Cassella said. "They should get their new ID card within approximately 30 days of expiration. When they come in for card replacement, they must bring two forms of ID, one must be a federal or state issued photo ID." 

For more information, visit www.dmdc.osd.mil/smartcard.