Do you carry your ID?

By LCDR Peter Ellis

Until recently I had fallen into the habit when leaving the workplace of taking off my ID card in its carrier on a neck cord, wrapping it in the cord, and placing it in my tote bag. This usually went into the house when I got home. If I went out at night, and at weekends, the ID remained at home.

An offhand remark from another person got me thinking. I looked up DI(G) PERS 52-1 “Defence Identity and Access Control Cards”, where I found these words (emphasis added):

“8. There is no ADF requirement for identity cards to be worn or displayed on a routine basis; however, some areas such as Russell Offices, Maritime Headquarters, etc may require identity cards to be worn or displayed for security or other reasons.

Even when not worn, identity cards are to be carried at all times.

ADF identity and Defence access cards must be shown on demand to any appropriate authority who, in the course of their duty, requires proof of identity.

A member is not to be in possession of more than one ADF identity card. Every person issued with a Defence access card or and ADF identity card is to protect their card from loss, theft, defacement or unauthorised use.

The use of another person’s card for any purpose is strictly prohibited. Personnel are not to lend their card to any other person.”

The ID is the size of a credit card; so, now I transfer my card into my wallet after work.

It’s that simple, when I think about it.

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