Can you get a CAC (Common Access Card) after you've been honorably discharged?

2017-03-23T13:35:40-04:00

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2017 1:36 PM

2017-03-23T13:36:42-04:00

Was asking as they have changed the way you can check your .mil email, which requires a CAC reader, etc.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Mar 23 at 2017 1:47 PM

2017-03-23T13:47:01-04:00

I don't think you can. And I believe you lose access to your .mil email as well. At least that is what happened when I was discharged in 2008.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2017 2:10 PM

2017-03-23T14:10:18-04:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member - not at this time (http://www.cac.mil). That may change for retirees in the future - it's already been piloted at a couple of installations, but not sure how they selected the pilot group.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Mar 23 at 2017 2:12 PM

2017-03-23T14:12:15-04:00

Yeah... I have one right now. I went from Active Duty to Civilian Contractor.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2017 4:01 PM

2017-03-23T16:01:54-04:00

Yes you can, but understand, your CAC is not your ID and your ID is not your CAC. Just because they are the same physical piece of plastic when you are active duty, people confuse them. So you CAN if you have a job that requires access into a system that needs one. If you mean "Can I get one for ID purposes and to log into a computer at the same time?" probably not. Getting a white, vertically printed card is dependent on your need for access.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2017 5:52 PM

2017-03-23T17:52:08-04:00

maybe they should issue a CAC that is fit for retirees, to continue dialog with old friends and to access their records on line thru the military sites, it doesn't even need to be secrete but at least secured just a thought

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Mar 23 at 2017 8:44 PM

2017-03-23T20:44:15-04:00

The CAC for non active folks is an access based thing... Unless you need it for access in your GOV job post separation, you don't get one.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Mar 23 at 2017 8:58 PM

2017-03-23T20:58:21-04:00

I had to transfer into the IRR in 2012 so I could deploy. When I came back in 2013, I had retirement orders so I turned in my CAC. I then found out I was selected for Colonel. I was in the IRR when I got promoted but found out they did not give CAC to IRR members. I could still log-in to AKO and use my AKO email but had limited access to many other systems. I started my D.A. Civilian job a few months later and then was able to get my CAC for that.

Response by SGT David T. made Mar 24 at 2017 7:44 AM

2017-03-24T07:44:07-04:00

Why would you need it?

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Mar 25 at 2017 10:55 AM

2017-03-25T10:55:15-04:00

The only non-military folks authorized Common Access Cards are DoD employees and employees of contractors who need the cards in order to perform work for the DoD.
On the military side, being issued a CAC is tied to being on active duty or on a reserve status authorized pay or other benefits (e.g., PX/commissary privileges).
As a side note, this DoD-level policy, which excludes some reserve personnel (anybody on any unpaid reserve status) from being issued any ID card (CAC or DD Form 2) is in technical violation of the Geneva/Hague requirement that all military personnel be issued an identification card.

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2017 9:14 AM

2017-12-06T09:14:09-05:00

If you obtain a Gov't job then yes. But just being discharged/retired from the military does not give you a CAC. That is what retirement IDs are for.