Andrews begins Defense Biometric Identification System registration

Published March 24, 2011

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility Washington will soon join many Department of Defense installations throughout the world utilizing the Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) as a force protection enhancement tool. DBIDS was developed as a force protection and identity management program to manage personnel, property and installation access. It is designed to easily verify the access authorization of personnel entering military installations by use of machine-based authentication technologies and fingerprint identification. This program registers personnel entitled to recurring and unescorted access to military installations.

Joint Base Andrews (JBA) is now afforded the ability to control base access digitally through a centralized and current database of biometric details including a photograph, identifying information such as height and weight, and fingerprints. DBIDS helps make better decisions in order to keep members safe from unauthorized personnel, as well as control access at times when only mission critical personnel are needed on the installation.

In order for us to utilize this system, all personnel must register with DBIDS. This includes all active duty, guard, reserve, dependents, civilian employees, contractors, retirees, and other federal agency employees working on or requiring access to JBA.

To register, you and any family members over age 16 with base access will need to come to the JBA Visitor Control Center located at 1832 Robert M. Bond Dr. in front of the Main Gate. The Visitor Control Center is open Monday - Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed on weekends and Holidays. Registration takes between five and seven minutes.

Due to our limited number of registration terminals, we request that personnel come in during pre-determined time periods based on the first letter of their last name. The process of mass registration is scheduled to begin April 1, 2011 and continue through Aug. 2011. Each group will have approximately two weeks to come in and register. The schedule is as follows.

The Registration process is as follows:
04 Apr - 15 Apr A-C,
18 Apr - 29 Apr D-F,
2 May - 13 May G-I,
16 May - 27 Jun J-L,
31 May - 10 Jun M-O,
13 Jun - 24 Jun P-R,
27 Jun - 8 Jul S-U,
11 Jul - 22 Jul V- Z.
25 Jul - 29 Jul Alibis

***For all Retirees/Dependents, please come in anytime before Sept. 9, 2011***.

On Aug. 2, 2011, 11 SFS personnel will begin scanning 25 percent of personnel coming on to JBA to determine their registration status. The percentage of scanned personnel will be increased to 50 percent on Aug. 30, 75 percent on Sept. 16 and 100 percent on Sept. 30. Once scanning begins, any personnel coming to the gate and a scan reveals they have not been registered will be redirected to the Visitor Control Center to register. By incrementally registering and scanning personnel, we hope to minimize disruption to our patrons and minimize wait times at the Visitor Control Center. All JBA personnel can assist by coming to the Visitor Center during your allotted time periods for registration. We appreciate your cooperation in our latest efforts to make Joint Base Andrews a more secure installation.

Frequently asked questions:

Who needs to register? Every DOD ID Card holder requesting access to Joint Base Andrews will need to be registered. This includes military, retirees, DoD contractors, dependents, and civilians (AF and other federal agencies) affiliated with Joint Base Andrews who need access to the installation.

Where can I register and have my ID card scanned? Joint Base Andrews Visitor Control Center located in front of the Main Gate, Bldg 1832 Robert M. Bond Dr.

What do I bring with me when I register? Your DoD ID cards. If you have multiple ones bring them. Example, you are retired, but are a contractor on base. We need to register both cards.

Why must I register in person? Your fingerprint is the vital piece of registration for biometric identification. This process is completed in about 5 - 7 minutes.

Why do I need my DOD ID card if you've swiped my fingerprint? Will you scan my fingerprint when you scan my ID card? No, typically only your ID card will be scanned. Your fingerprints are only used during the registration process and are an added security feature for personal identification.

Questions: Contact Visitor Control Center, 11th Security Forces Group, at 301-981-0689