Social Security number to be removed from ID cards

Published May 13, 2011
By Stephen Delgado
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- A new era is dawning in the military.

The Defense Department is scheduled to remove Social Security numbers from all DOD identification cards to protect the safety of service members and their families' personal identity information, according to Master Sgt. Zar Manabat, 56th Force Support Squadron Military Personnel Section superintendent.

This process will be done in three phases.

"Phase one started in December 2008 and removed the SSN from dependent ID cards," Sergeant Manabat said. "Phase two will remove all printed SSNs as of June 2011 and phase three is scheduled to remove all SSNs embedded in barcodes beginning in 2012."

A DOD ID number will be printed on all ID cards and will be used as the Geneva Convention serial number.

Eligible beneficiaries will also have a DOD benefits number on their new ID card to validate eligibility and process claims. "ID cards will not be reissued or replaced until your current card expires or is compromised," Sergeant Manabat said. "Existing cards remain valid until expiration. ID cards with an indefinite expiration date displaying a SSN may be replaced by contacting the military personnel customer support section for an appointment at (623) 856-7832."