NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. –
Enforcement of the Real ID Act is approaching, and starting May 7, 2025, visitors to Defense Logistics Agency Defense Distribution Center Susquehanna will see this enforcement go into effect.
New identification requirements are now in place for accessing federal facilities, military installations (including all DLA installations), and boarding domestic commercial flights.
Starting May 7, 2025, individuals aged 18 and older will need a Real ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card, or an alternative acceptable form of ID (such as a passport, Common Access Card, military ID, or other approved forms) for:
- Domestic Air Travel: Boarding commercial flights within the United States.
- Federal Facility Access: Entering secure federal facilities, including all DLA and other military installations.
- Nuclear Facility Access: Accessing certain nuclear facilities.
“Starting May 7, our police officers will be implementing the Real ID requirement at the Truck Gate for all commercial drivers and contractors,” said Police Chief Douglas Schraeder, DLA Installation Management at Susquehanna. “Our team has received several briefings on the Real ID requirements and are prepared to enforce this Department of Homeland Security requirement that has been in the works for years.”
A Real ID-compliant license has a star in the upper right-hand corner.
The following forms of identification will be accepted for access to DLA and other Defense Department installations:
- DOD Common Access Cards (CACs)
- DOD Uniformed Services ID Cards (including military retiree and dependent IDs)
- Local DOD Access Cards and Passes (e.g., DBIDS cards, visitor passes)
- Real ID-compliant driver’s licenses, enhanced driver’s licenses, or non-driver’s identification cards
- U.S. or foreign passports or passport cards
- Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC)
- Veteran’s Health Identification Cards (VHIC)
- Federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) cards and Non-federal PIV-interoperable cards
First-time visitors and personnel with expired passes must register their Real ID (or other acceptable form of ID) online or at the Visitor Center before arriving at the installation. Pre-approval requests can be submitted to expedite this process.
DLA Defense Distribution Center, Susquehanna utilizes an electronic pre-enrollment process for non-affiliated installation visitors. The Defense Biometric Identification System pre-enrollment website allows installation visitors to establish an account and directly input personally identifiable information prior to arrival.
Using the pre-enrollment website helps expedite processing time and eliminates the need to collect, handle and submit PII. The following link is for the pre-enrollment website: https://dbids-global.dmdc.mil/enroll. The DLA Defense Distribution Center, Susquehanna Visitor Center can be reached at 717-770-5653 for information or assistance.
“Since we’ve been observing the Real ID requirements since initiation, we don’t expect major changes to operations,” said Steven Schorkhuber, chief, Security Management Branch, DLA Installation Management at Susquehanna.
Visitors who do not present a Real ID-compliant credential or an acceptable alternative will be denied unescorted access to DLA/DOD installations.
To apply for a Real ID, visit your state's Department of Motor Vehicles with the following documents:
- Proof of Identity (e.g., valid passport or birth certificate)
- Proof of Social Security Number (e.g., Social Security card or W-2 form)
- Proof of State Residency (e.g., utility bill, rental agreement)
Check your state DMV's website for specific requirements and potential online options. A Real ID is not required for driving, voting, applying for federal benefits or accessing hospitals.
"The implementation of Real ID will ensure that personnel accessing our facility have verified documents, which strengthens our installation security," Schraeder added.
For more information on Real ID requirements and application procedures, visit the Department of Homeland Security website: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id
The DLA Defense Distribution Center, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, Visitor Center can be reached at 717-770-5653 for information or assistance.