American Military Bases

Can't say about K-Town, but on all the other bases, you need military ID to get on post, or someone to sign you in. James can probaby give you more accurate info. My experience is only with Wiesbaden, Mannheim and Heidelberg.

Security has changed a lot on military bases since 9/11. Used to be that I could ride through the arsenal in Huntsville since my mom worked out there and I had a decal on the car. Heck, the security guys barely even looked up when you drove in. After 9/11, you had to show a military or work ID to get on the arsenal.

I pass through Ramstein AFB several times a year. If my leader is with me, they want to see her ID as well. The last two times they had some kind of hand-held scanner machine that they ran over the junk on the back. However, the gal that brings me a car from Ramstein Village seems to get on somehow. If I had to bet, the answer would be that it ain't going to happen.

Civilians can't get in by themselves, you either need a military ID or someone with a military ID to sign you in.

Well, no big deal. Since I'll be in the area anyway I'll still go into town and visit a few old haunts.

Contact the public affairs office at the installation you wish to visit. Ramstein, Landstuhl, etc. They would be able to provide you with information on base/post access. If you just show up to a gate and ask to get in, it's not going to happen.

Normally civilians don't have access to bases or facilities. Sometimes the rules seem random but I think they are based on intelligence reports of potential threats. If you are visiting a friend on base, or attending a public function (ceremony, etc.) you can get a visitor pass at the visitors center by the gate. Typically, you need your driver's license, car registration and proof of insurance (rental agreement works for the last two). Most on-base facilities still check IDs at the door (gym, bx, commissary, swimming pool, etc) so aren't available to visitors. Outdoor facilities usually don't check IDs. One option I would consider. Call public affairs, tell them you were stationed there in the '70's and would like to see the place briefly. They might sponsor you onto the base but may have to meet you at the gate and escort you until you leave.

In 2005 we visited an American military base in Germany (it maybe have been Kaiserslautrn; I know it was in that area but can't remember the name). There was my mother in law, who had lived there in the 1950s, and three of us with no military connections. We had no problems getting on with our passports. I don't remember if my MIL has some kind of ID that identified her as a widow of a army veteren, or if she just used her passport too. I can't imagine she'd have any kind of military ID that you don't have access to, though.

Your MIL may very well have had an ID card. Retired Military with Benefits and spouses retain an ID and have access to Military facilities.

Re Brad's reply-Nowadays even if you have an official function to go to, someone has to sign you in on base, and be "responsible" for you and accompany you everywhere you go. It's called Force Protection. I know because I work on a military base and have since a little past 9/11.

Paul, I checked and you are right--my MIL still has military ID. That was enough to get us all on.