Would you consider it a security violation for someone to wear a building badge (badge to enter a SCIF) when going through the gate?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 22:26:21 -0500

I see it all the time since I’m on gate guard and my issue is SM and contractors would have been driving off post with it visible leading to bad opsec

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Feb 8 at 2020 10:31 PM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 22:31:17 -0500

I was trained to keep mine concealed, not sure if a regulation covers it.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2020 10:31 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 22:31:19 -0500

Generally the policy is that badges are only to be worn in the areas to which they apply. So you would put in on when you enter the facility or area, and remove it upon leaving. This prevents unauthorized individuals from knowing your access level as well as mitigates the potential for replication of the badge by those without access to the facility. I believe a good reference would be AR 380-5 for more information.

Response by Maj John Bell made Feb 8 at 2020 10:44 PM

Maj John Bell — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 22:44:27 -0500

In my day, the security badges would be issued and collected by who ever controlled access to the SCIF, at the scif entrance.The person(s) desiring entry present ID are cross-referenced with an access roster. Each morning, or whenever there was a change, someone from the S-1 AND someone from the S-2 would verify the roster, pull any badges that were temporarily or permanently denied access and place any new badges.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2020 10:44 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 22:44:35 -0500

If memory serves, the SCIF badge is to only be worn while in the SCIF. Otherwise, it is to be concealed. Check the regs and double check with the Security Manager of the SCIF. But, my instincts tell me that these folks are in the extreme wrong and violating protocol.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2020 11:02 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 23:02:38 -0500

Wearing badges as such could allow outside individuals the opportunity to take pictures of the badge and attempt to recreate them. This would obviously allow unauthorized personnel in areas that they are not allowed in. I would simply ask the individuals who are wearing them through the gate to ensure that they are concealed until the reach the entrance to the building.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Feb 9 at 2020 12:32 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 00:32:18 -0500

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Interesting Discussion. Been a Long Time. I Seem to Remember putting on My Badge the same time I Put on My Uniform. No effort to Hide it but Most these facilities were just One Big Base. The Only Time I would say I was Intentionally Covert was while in London. Worked in SCIF Most of My Career. Some No Badge Necessary, So Small We All Knew each other and Lived in Tight Quarters. The Only thing I Never Intentionally Flashed but Carried Frequently was my "Get Out of Jail Free Card" DIA Courier Card.

Response by CPO James Colomb made Feb 9 at 2020 7:16 AM

CPO James Colomb — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 07:16:17 -0500

No....

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2020 9:43 AM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 09:43:02 -0500

What does the reg say?

Response by SPC Kevin Ford made Feb 9 at 2020 1:56 PM

SPC Kevin Ford — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 13:56:53 -0500

You would be doing them a favor by suggesting they remove them and keep them hidden. Not only are the advertising what the badge looks like, they are advertising their level of access to people who now may want to target them.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 9 at 2020 2:08 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 14:08:22 -0500

Yes, it's a violation of rules regarding wear of restricted area badges. People are briefed before they are issued this type of badge to only wear it when required in the secure areas to which it allows access. I tried to be careful for the 20 years or so I had such badges, but nobody is perfect. I almost always took my badges off and put them in my pocket or brief case when I headed home from work. I suggest you talk with your unit security officer about the problem. He or she can bring it to the attention of security officers at the other units on the installation. If you notice somebody wearing a restricted area badge when you are checking their ID to come onto the installation, you might remind them politely that they shouldn't display the badge except in the restricted areas. Responses will vary depending on the person.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2020 7:06 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 19:06:08 -0500

The SCIF in question probably has a Security SOP that addresses the topic.

Response by Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin made Feb 10 at 2020 11:37 AM

Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin — Mon, 10 Feb 2020 11:37:38 -0500

The badge wearing rule is a policy, not a regulation. Not all organizations have this policy as in some cases it is somewhat of a moot point. The NSA, for example, requires that you show your facility badge at the gate, which naturally people put it on prior to driving through so they don't hold up traffic looking for the badge. They also require folks to wear the badge on campus, even outside the buildings.

I understand why such a policy exists, mostly because people with the right camera can take a picture of it and make a forgery. However, they still have to overcome the proximity readers, and other security measures to get in and around the facility. But while you're at trying to suggest punishing people for such an oversight, why not ask about those who leave them in their vehicles and/or put them in the gym lockers (which is easily accessed).

This is why defense in depth is necessary. In other words, proximity readers (with pins) at the entrances and inner office sections within the facility. Require all people to use them, regardless of whether someone knows him (i.e. no tailgating). Place guards at the main entrances to ensure people aren't avoiding the proximity sensors. Finally, know your people and what's going on around you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2020 4:19 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Feb 2020 16:19:05 -0500

SCIF badges are only to be worn at the SCIF. If you see someone wearing a SCIF badge outside a SCIF - call them on it. Politely tell them that it's only to be worn at the SCIF and if they would remove it. If you have seen it repeatedly, I would notify their SSR at the SCIF or the SSO (since the SSO is responsible for all SCI - which is what's stored in a SCIF). Or let your security manager know to report it up to the SSO.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2021 12:55 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 12:55:22 -0500

SCIF badge is supposed to be removed before, or as you exit the SCIF.

Response by SPC Karen Bowerman made Aug 2 at 2021 12:49 AM

SPC Karen Bowerman — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 00:49:06 -0400

I was in an MI BN, I did not have an MI MOS. I also had a security clearance. My point. People who have SCIF access do not advertise this, it defeats to purpose of giving that person access, MI MOS, or not! It’s like putting a marquee up at a Seal training camp! Am I the only person that believes in our security system! It’s like telling the media what kind of teasing the military is doing, you don’t do it. So if people are coming on post and are at a gay stop, why are they not being reported! The military is not a popularity contest, and if you can’t follow the most basic rules, what other rules will a person break, especially if they are being sought out by people that would love to compromise the United States? I may sound like a hard ass, but with age you see thing in black and white! The military is already being compromised from within with “wokeness” an ideological path the military should not ever go down! If you give one person. A pass with breaking security protocols, that two people not follow other rules, and that just doesn’t work!