Card Types & Eligibility
The four different types of cards are listed below. The card you will be eligible for will be determined by your "Sponsor," the person affiliated with the DoD or other federal agency responsible for verifying and authorizing your need for an ID card. The uses of the card depend on the component/Command that you support. Each component/Command can customize the CAC to meet its specific needs.
Are you a sponsor? Visit the Sponsorship & Eligibility section of the ID Card Lifecycle for more details on this process.
Card Type Recipients Affiliation ArmedForces of the United States Geneva Conventions Identification Card The standard card for active duty personnel in accordance with Geneva Conventions requirements. -Active Duty Armed Forces -Selected Reserves -Reserve and National Guard Members on active duty more than 30 days -Contracted Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets -National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) -U.S. Public Health Services (PHS) Displays branch of Service U.S. DoD and/or Uniformed Services Identification Card The standard card for qualifying civilian employees, contractors, and foreign national affiliates who need access to DoD installations, and computer systems. -DoD and uniformed Services civilian employees (appropriated and nonappropriated) -Eligible DoD, USCG, and NOAA contractors -Non-DoD civilian employees to include: USCG and NOAA, state employees working in support of the National Guard, Intergovernmental Personnel Act employees, and non-DoD federal employees working in support of DoD Senior Executive Service (SES) Civilians Civilian affiliates Federal affiliates Military affiliates U.S. DoD and/or Uniformed Services Geneva Conventions Identification Card for Civilians Accompanying the Armed Forces The standard card for civilians accompanying the Armed Forces. -Emergency-essential civilian employees -Contingency contractor personnel Senior Executive Service (SES) Civilians Contractors U.S. DoD and/or Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card The standard card granting applicable benefits and privilege for civilian employees, contractors, and foreign national military, as well as other eligible personnel. -DoD and uniformed Services civilian employees (appropriated and nonappropriated) when residing on a military installation within the United States and U.S. Territories and Possessions, or when stationed or employed and residing in foreign countries for at least 365 days -DoD contractors when stationed or employed and residing in foreign countries for at least 365 days -DoD Presidential appointees -Uniformed and non-uniformed full-time paid personnel of the Red Cross assigned to duty with the uniformed Services within the United States and U.S. Territories and Possessions, when residing on a military installation, or in foreign countries -Eligible foreign military Senior Executive Service (SES) Civilians Contractors Civilian affiliates Federal affiliates Military affiliates
