When reporting to Fort Campbell for my first assignment, will I be let in the gate if I show my CAC or should I arrange other transportation?

2021-01-01T14:43:54-05:00

Reporting to Fort Campbell on the 3rd, my ds never really explained how reporting works before I left for hbl. I’m getting a ride from my parents, will they let us in the gate if I show them my CAC or do I need to arrange different transportation?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2021 3:35 PM

2021-01-01T15:35:44-05:00

CAC is good if you are driving in, if your parents are driving in they need to get a pass at closest visitor center with your CAC as sponser

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2021 4:08 PM

2021-01-01T16:08:50-05:00

https://home.army.mil/campbell/index.php/visitor-check-in

Either way you'll get in the gate - it will probably be easier if you're driving. Yes - all you need to get on any military base is your CAC. They will scan the CAC and let you through. But this is the link to Campbell visitor access.

Visitor Check-In :: FORT CAMPBELL

Fort Campbell has two visitor control centers; one at T.C Freeman Gate and one at Gate 7. Find information on the hours control centers, documents required, long-term passes, and more.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jan 1 at 2021 4:18 PM

2021-01-01T16:18:24-05:00

If your parents are taking you, ensure you they have vehicle registration and a printed copy of insurance. Even if people tell you proof of insurance on phone is ok, because of COVID some places require paper copys. Installation access requirements change from posts to post and year to year so do some of the homework others have mentioned and expect a wait. Reporting to your unit for the first time, I would arrive to the gate at least an hour before report time or go the night before to check the system out (best option). Your first impressions start on day one.

Response by Col Tri Trinh made Jan 1 at 2021 4:40 PM

2021-01-01T16:40:26-05:00

Your CAC is your credentials. You should be able to get in with no issue.
Your parents will need to show their IDs.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2021 4:45 PM

2021-01-01T16:45:32-05:00

You will need to show your CAC card and then immediately climb up the rope and scream "AIR ASSAULT!!". Every sentence you finish, you should either say "Air Assault or Rakkasan".

Response by SSG Brian L. made Jan 1 at 2021 5:03 PM

2021-01-01T17:03:22-05:00

Just report to the visitor center and they will issue you a temp pass for your parents. Your CAC will get you on base.

Response by CPL Joseph Elinger made Jan 1 at 2021 7:10 PM

2021-01-01T19:10:49-05:00

I'd recon a day earlier.
Then arive 2 hrs earlier, & chill nearby.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2021 7:42 PM

2021-01-01T19:42:20-05:00

No one has mentioned it yet, but the ID's your parents use could potentially come into question. The ID's they present to the gate need to meet FEDERAL STANDARDS of validity.

States like my "wonderful" state of California issues drivers licenses to non resident citizens. So my current CA drivers license will not get me on post. So your parents need what we in CA call a REAL ID, or a US Passport.

There are several states that are still in this conversion process. I know CA is not alone.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jan 1 at 2021 7:55 PM

2021-01-01T19:55:53-05:00

Good luck to you! Thx for your service.

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Jan 1 at 2021 8:01 PM

2021-01-01T20:01:06-05:00

When you arrive to Fort Campbell, show your CAC card and for directions to replacement center. Make sure you have your orders with you and leave form, to sign in

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jan 2 at 2021 2:23 AM

2021-01-02T02:23:47-05:00

Don’t overthink it. Yes you will be let in. You have a valid CAC and orders. You’ll be fine.

Good luck

Response by SFC Leslie Parker made Jan 2 at 2021 9:05 AM

2021-01-02T09:05:06-05:00

the gate guard will direct, you go to gate 4, your parents may have to get a gate pass make sure they have id,hotel is on the right as soon as you pass the gate

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Jan 2 at 2021 11:45 PM

2021-01-02T23:45:18-05:00

Also, two other bits of advice I will pass onto you. First, 101st Airborne is a very good unit as far as training is concerned, better than most of the rest of the regular Army. You will meet some Chapter cases or folks getting kicked out, that is normal for any Army unit. Just steer clear of them for the most part. Second if you decide at ETS time you want to leave the Army and start as a civilian. Don't listen to the BS that your only options are Police Officer or Security Guard. Complete BS, I left went to college and got into computer programming and am at the end of a long career where yes I got laid off a few times but never more than 4-6 months before I was hired again and yes when you are laid off you have to actively seek employment and market yourself (save money in an emergency fund and layoff is not as stressful because you have savings to rely on), as you get older the Recruiters come to you for your experience and it is not so tough switching employers.

So having said that, always keep it in your head that your life is an open book ages 18-40, you can choose to do whatever it is you want to do and be successful at it. College wasn't for me after High School but I did fairly well after the Army and graduated a BBA in Finance. It wasn't hard and if you didn't prep in High School most of the large state Univerities have 2-3 prep courses you can take......not a huge deal. You will run into this in every Infantry unit there are folks that keep enlisting over and over again and some of them have fairly low confidence in themselves and will tell you there are no options in the Civilian world or that you can only hope to be a Police Officer or Security Guard. It is complete nonsense and do not listen to that or be persuaded by it. Others in my Infantry company ETS's and started their own business starting first as lawn maintence then moving into plumbing or carpentry. Others went off to work for the railroad as conductor then locomotive engineer then later into management. Those were the options without college degree. Anyways try college again even if you do not feel it was for you....worth a second look. And remember your life is what you make of it, your the only one holding you back.

Good Luck and enjoy the Infantry, I hated my first tour with an Armored Division but I enjoyed my time with the 101st. Only wish now my entire enlistment was with the 101st instead of a split tour.

Response by SGT(P) Abner Lozano made Jan 9 at 2021 11:38 AM

2021-01-09T11:38:21-05:00

Just make sure your parents have their ID’s on them. Yes. They’ll let you in the gate with your CAC, your parents can come in as well, as long as they have a valid State issued non expired ID.

Response by SPC Michael Sanders made Feb 21 at 2021 5:54 PM

2021-02-21T17:54:42-05:00

Yea they will let you in the gate all you have to do is stop at the visitation center and get a gate pass for the vehicle