Being a member of the U.S. military is an honorable profession.
Whether you are an active-duty servicemember, Reservist, civilian employee or family member, you should be very proud of your contributions to our nation and the American way of life.
But with this comes responsibility.
Safeguarding your DD Form 1173, better known as your military identification card, is a responsibility that cannot be taken for granted. Proper procedures for strict accountability and security must be maintained to prevent your military ID card from getting lost or stolen. Every time a military ID card is lost or stolen, operational security and, ultimately, American lives are placed in danger.
When a military ID card cannot be accounted for by the issuing activity, a report is issued to the unit commander responsible. This report indicates the circumstances involved, corrective action taken and, if warranted, disciplinary action.
The individual with the missing military ID card must report its loss or theft promptly through resubmission of a DD Form 1172, with the following statement under block 89: “I certify that DD Form 1173 previously issued to (insert name of card holder) was lost or stolen under the following circumstances: (give complete circumstances surrounding loss or theft). I further certify that the card has not been located after a diligent search, and that if recovered, the card will be surrendered to the proper military authority.”
Too many servicemembers, DOD civilians and family members do not understand the severities associated with losing their military ID cards. It is a very serious matter, and everyone must know what their responsibilities are when it comes to maintaining accountability and control of this small but highly critical item.
Losing your military ID card is a form of dereliction of duty and is punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. You may also be punished for abuse. Any person willfully altering, damaging, lending, counterfeiting or using their military ID card in any unauthorized manner is committing abuse and is subject to fine, imprisonment or both.
In addition, unauthorized or fraudulent use of a military ID card exists if a person uses the card in a manner that would enable them to obtain benefits and privileges to which they are not entitled. It is illegal to give your military ID card to someone else or to take someone else’s military ID card and use it as your own.
While the idea of safeguarding your military ID card from loss or theft, fraudulent use or abuse is a simple concept – it continues to occur. Take responsibility, be proud of who you are and what you do, and don’t be the one who falls short. Your military ID card is an extremely important and abusing or losing it can be costly.
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Being a member of the U.S. military is an honorable profession.
Whether you are an active-duty servicemember, Reservist, civilian employee or family member, you should be very proud of your contributions to our nation and the American way of life.
But with this comes responsibility.
Safeguarding your DD Form 1173, better known as your military identification card, is a responsibility that cannot be taken for granted. Proper procedures for strict accountability and security must be maintained to prevent your military ID card from getting lost or stolen. Every time a military ID card is lost or stolen, operational security and, ultimately, American lives are placed in danger.
When a military ID card cannot be accounted for by the issuing activity, a report is issued to the unit commander responsible. This report indicates the circumstances involved, corrective action taken and, if warranted, disciplinary action.
The individual with the missing military ID card must report its loss or theft promptly through resubmission of a DD Form 1172, with the following statement under block 89: “I certify that DD Form 1173 previously issued to (insert name of card holder) was lost or stolen under the following circumstances: (give complete circumstances surrounding loss or theft). I further certify that the card has not been located after a diligent search, and that if recovered, the card will be surrendered to the proper military authority.”
Too many servicemembers, DOD civilians and family members do not understand the severities associated with losing their military ID cards. It is a very serious matter, and everyone must know what their responsibilities are when it comes to maintaining accountability and control of this small but highly critical item.
Losing your military ID card is a form of dereliction of duty and is punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. You may also be punished for abuse. Any person willfully altering, damaging, lending, counterfeiting or using their military ID card in any unauthorized manner is committing abuse and is subject to fine, imprisonment or both.
In addition, unauthorized or fraudulent use of a military ID card exists if a person uses the card in a manner that would enable them to obtain benefits and privileges to which they are not entitled. It is illegal to give your military ID card to someone else or to take someone else’s military ID card and use it as your own.
While the idea of safeguarding your military ID card from loss or theft, fraudulent use or abuse is a simple concept – it continues to occur. Take responsibility, be proud of who you are and what you do, and don’t be the one who falls short. Your military ID card is an extremely important and abusing or losing it can be costly.