Does your CAC have to be updated to reflect current rank?

2016-11-02T07:54:29-04:00

I have been in a debate with several other NCOs over this topic for awhile now. I was always taught you had to go and update your CAC every time you received a promotion. Your CAC serves as an identification card and needs to reflect your current rank. Several of my cohorts hold to the thought that you only need to update it when you reach E5 due to your Geneva Convention Category changing then.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2016 8:01 AM

2016-11-02T08:01:34-04:00

Neg. You have to update your ID to reflect your rank. Otherwise when going through the sentry at the gate, you are wearing a pay grade higher than the ID gives, it throws up flags for the sentry; thinking that you have a fake ID (given, that's not the case but there has been stories told). Also for Navy folk, getting onto a ship and going through the quarterdeck, it can sometimes raise alarms too. Plus when you have a senior enlisted looking at your ID.
Just have it updated when you get promoted; save yourself the bullcrap.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2016 8:27 AM

2016-11-02T08:27:16-04:00

your cac will work no matter what rank is on it. you can wait to get it updated.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Nov 2 at 2016 9:01 AM

2016-11-02T09:01:48-04:00

Yes.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Nov 2 at 2016 9:20 AM

2016-11-02T09:20:07-04:00

In the National Guard to save monies E-1 through E-4 they will not change the ID cards for a promotion. I reached E-5 and they did. They wouldn't for CPL because I was still E-4.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Nov 2 at 2016 9:23 AM

2016-11-02T09:23:43-04:00

Yes, you should update your CAC (and ID) whenever you get promoted to a new higher rank. That was the practice and expectation in every unit that I was in.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Nov 2 at 2016 9:29 AM

2016-11-02T09:29:54-04:00

Update it if/when anything changes.

That's a "do what I say, not as I do" statement, as I admit that it took me more than a year to get around to updating mine after I changed rank.

Response by MGySgt James Forward made Nov 2 at 2016 10:00 AM

2016-11-02T10:00:52-04:00

For USMC and Navy: New CAC at every promotion. Other Services may be different and reserves are a whole different ball game. Semper Fi

Response by 1SG Mike Case made Nov 2 at 2016 10:29 AM

2016-11-02T10:29:39-04:00

Now when I was laterally promoted to First Sergeant, I did not get my CAC changed to reflect the new rank, because I knew eventually I would not be a First Sergeant anymore. But I believe it should be updated with every promotion. Though I wish I had a CAC that had Specialist rank on it so when I go to the golf course, I don't have to pay as much.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2016 11:07 AM

2016-11-02T11:07:58-04:00

Everything I find thru my research says that it is required to get a new card whenever a promotion takes place. However, I cannot find any hard regulations stating that. My best recommendation is to seek this answer with your ID Card/DEERS section. If anyone will know, these people will.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Nov 2 at 2016 11:52 AM

2016-11-02T11:52:53-04:00

It was my experience in that you did not update your CaC until you reached E5 because, as you stated, the change in the Geneva Convention Category. I do not see a problem with this for E1, E2, or E3 but I do think when you are promoted you should get a new CaC card because it shows great addition to detail and wanting to ensure all your issued gear, including ID Card are maintained.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2016 2:44 PM

2016-11-02T14:44:11-04:00

It is just good practice to have it done. There is no reg that I know of that requires it.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Nov 2 at 2016 3:23 PM

2016-11-02T15:23:22-04:00

E-1 thru E-4 no. E-5 and up yes due to the Geneva Convention Category changes.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Nov 2 at 2016 9:05 PM

2016-11-02T21:05:53-04:00

It's a Geneva Convention Card first. On the Back (front now?) it has your Geneva Convention Code Privileges which need to correspond to your worn rank. As such, you need to update it when your "privileges" upgrade, not necessarily your rank, though rank is normally what we use.

In the Naval Services, we just change it every rank (after promotion to NCO). For the Army/Air Force your mileage may vary but if you're a SGT you should have SGT ID, and if you're SSG, same. For Non-NCO, it doesn't really matter.

Response by SSG Zachary Palmer made Nov 3 at 2016 2:41 PM

2016-11-03T14:41:25-04:00

I got mine updated every time I got promoted. Now mine has a green band and says contractor. The picture doesn't have enough hair. Maybe I'll fix that some day.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2018 12:36 AM

2018-05-22T00:36:46-04:00

DoDI 1000.01, 2012, Section 2(1) states that "The ID card shall show the owner's surname, first names, rank....". I would argue that because it does not show the owners rank (seeing its incorrect) then it is wrong, therefore needs to be updated when promoted/demoted.

Response by CPL Robert Tucker made Apr 13 at 2020 12:10 AM

2020-04-13T00:10:01-04:00

I have been Retired 2005 on my ID military it was corporal E4 but the last time she put special E4 I no it paid the same money But I am A Corporal !!!!

Response by Cpl John Reeder made Jul 10 at 2020 6:52 PM

2020-07-10T18:52:35-04:00

I know when I was in Marines the first ID had E1-E3 on it then it was required to update for every promotion for E4 and Above

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2020 1:56 AM

2020-07-23T01:56:31-04:00

In the Navy, E-1 to E-3 CACs only reflect the rank “NON-PO” with an empty pay grade slot. Once you make PO3 or E-4, I was instructed that we were to update our CACs, as E-4 in the Navy is an NCO. And as some people have mentioned, the Naval services (USN, USMC) update their CACs with every promotion. This may of course be different with other services, as I know SPC is not an NCO, and may follow Geneva Convention categories.