The Uniformed Services Identification Card is essential for military personnel, retirees, and their dependents, granting access to a wide range of benefits and privileges. The Department of Defense (DOD) is currently transitioning to the Next Generation Uniformed Services ID card (USID) to enhance security and reduce fraud. It’s crucial to understand who is eligible for this updated identification.
Who is Eligible for the Next Generation USID Card?
A broad spectrum of individuals connected to the U.S. Uniformed Services are entitled to a USID. These categories include:
- Certain Reserve and National Guard Members: Specifically, members of the Individual Ready Reserves and Inactive National Guard are eligible.
- Deployed Civilian Personnel: Non-common access card-eligible civilian noncombatant personnel deployed with military operations overseas.
- Military Retirees: Retired members entitled to retired pay, including those on the Temporary Disability Retired List and Permanent Disability Retired List. This extends to retired members of the Reserves and National Guard, and former members receiving retired pay.
- Medal of Honor Recipients and 100% Disabled Veterans: Recognizing their exceptional service and sacrifice.
- Transitional Health Care Members: Individuals qualifying for transitional health care benefits.
- Specific Civilian Support Staff: Full-time paid United Service Organizations (USO) personnel living abroad, and United Seaman’s Service Personnel also residing overseas.
- Maritime Personnel: Officers and crews of MSC vessels deployed to foreign countries.
- Other Benefit-Eligible Categories: As defined and updated in official DOD policy.
Dependents of many of the above categories are also eligible for a military ID card. This eligibility extends to authorized dependents of:
- Active-duty service members across all regular components.
- Reserve component service members on active duty for more than 30 days.
- Retirees, Medal of Honor recipients, and former members receiving retired pay.
- Transitional Health Care Members and 100% disabled veterans.
- Ship’s Officers and Crewmembers of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Vessels.
- Certain Reserve and former members: Including Reserve members not on active duty or in receipt of retired pay, and former members not receiving retired pay, as well as Reserve service members who die after notification of eligibility.
Furthermore, surviving dependents of active-duty and retired service members, Medal of Honor recipients, and other benefit-eligible categories as per DOD policy are also entitled to identification cards.
Transitioning to the Next Generation USID
The DOD initiated the rollout of the Next Generation USID in 2020, aiming to replace the older Legacy ID cards. While Legacy IDs remain valid until their expiration date, those with indefinite expiration dates can proactively replace their cards now. It’s important to note that starting in 2026, Legacy USID cards will no longer be accepted for accessing benefits, privileges, or DOD installations.
For detailed information on how to obtain your Next Generation USID, please visit the DOD ID Card Reference Center. Ensure you have the most up-to-date identification to access your entitled benefits and services.
