Can a Felon Get on a Military Base?

When a felon comes out of prison, they might feel like visiting some places and people. The reason for joy is a return to freedom of movement. Many people think that can felons can get on a military base or no.

Well, people with a felony can surely get on the military base.

What Is A Military Base?

Even before we jump down to felony records and more, you need to know some basics about a military base. You need to understand that the military tends to vary a lot as they are any facility operated by the army. Typically they are home to military equipment and dependents.

Military bases tend to take on a plethora of identities like:

1 A camp

2 Yard

3 Post

4 A center

The grounds vary a lot with regards to facilities they provide to personnel and their loved ones. It mainly includes eateries, laundries, banks, clinics, etc.; the service personnel here have army, navy, coast-guard, etc.

Why Do You Need To Go To The Military Base?

Under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense, a military base is ideally an installation, camp, post, station, yard, center, homeport facility for any ship, or another task.

Within the United States and 600 bases overseas, there are approximately 5,000 U.S. military bases. In the United States, the military bases from the part of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard.

There are a plethora of reasons to get on a military base, and the most common can be as a visitor.

Eligibility Criteria for Getting on a Military Base

For anyone getting on a military base, you need to meet some specific criteria.

1 It mainly starts with the type of ID that is required of anyone wanting to enter any military base. Civilians who wish to enter an army base need to have a REAL ID from their state or the second form of identification. It includes a U.S. passport or a Veteran’s health ID card, besides their driver’s license. Some may only check for a valid ID from the vehicle driver, while others need everyone in a vehicle to have such an ID.

2 You must have a valid driver’s license, registration, and vehicle insurance information if you plan to drive on a military base. The Division of Motor Vehicles and resembles issues a real ID, and it is similar to a driver’s license but features a gold star in the upper right-hand corner. The star says that the individual has met the standards of identification from the Federal REAL ID Act passed by Congress in 2005 in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Real ID Access

Additionally, the real ID also allows you to enter nuclear power plants and commercial board aircraft. You won’t get any access or must be escorted by a sponsor meeting the requirements if you fail to meet these military ID requirements.

Either currently or by October 21, 2023, states have to compliant with REAL ID as it will enable you to access the military bases and other federal facilities. You need to go to the base’s visitor center if you fail to have a valid REAL ID or other state-issued ID and an escort. You can find some specific information for any unique military base. This can be also found on the web portal for that base under visitors’ information.

None of the visitors are permitted to get any contraband, weapons, or other questionable items. They cannot carry this in their vehicle or carry them in their possession like alcohol and alcohol containers.

Do Military Bases Do Any Background Check?

The federal government is concerned about potential security threats on all military bases in the entire United States, which you might also expect. If you are however arriving at a military base without a valid REAL ID or other state-approved ID, you would be directed to the visitor center, and you might have to undergo a criminal background check.

For sure, you will be denied access to the military base if you have a criminal record.

You will instantly be taken into custody and may also need legal counsel provided you have an active warrant outstanding. Additionally, you would be subjected to legal Action if you provide false information regarding your background and this is discovered. It can be expected that standard background will be conducted at the time of entry to the base.

Reasons For Denial Of Visitor Access

Besides this, there are other lengthy lists of disqualifications, which makes it quite prohibitive to enter a military base. Several factors could also result in you being denied base access even with a felony conviction.

How Can You Be Prepared?

You need to start with having proper identification to prevent yourself from having to go through a background check. This shows your willingness to enter a military base. Undoubtedly, you must know that the results of a background check might show your felony conviction besides having any other charges, including having a current outstanding warrant.

You can quickly deal with this if you learn if you are eligible to have your record expunged. You can state that you have not been convicted of a felony or other offense, honestly.

What Is The Recommended Action?

It is quite challenging however to go through the entire red tape to get the essential identification that will grant you entry to a military base. It mainly depends on the reason why do you want to go on onto an army base, which will decide if it is worth all of the difficulties you might encounter in the process.

You just need to consider and think about why you want to enter a base, like seeing a family member you want to see again.

You can take the time needed to get a real ID. Do this only if you feel the reason to go to the base is entirely worth it. Additionally, you can also check if you are eligible to have your record expunged.

Wrap Up

One thing is for sure that your past doesn’t define you. You can move on from the past and see how you can recover from past mistakes. You can also consider having an alternative to the passport in these cases or clarifying your background check.

All you need to do is make the right decisions. You should however move ahead without worrying about how it can affect you.