About Us

The Defense Human Resources Activity (DHRA) is a DoD Field Activity established under the authority, direction, and control of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)). The DHRA mission is to enhance the operational effectiveness and efficiency of diverse programs supporting the Department of Defense.

DHRA combines centralized management of operations and administrative oversight with decentralized program guidance. It supports policy development, develops products and services that promote and sustain a high-performing workforce, performs research and analysis, supports readiness and departmental reengineering efforts, manages personnel data repositories, prepares future civilian leaders through developmental programs, supports recruiting and retention, and delivers both benefits and critical services to warfighters and their families. DHRA administers sexual assault prevention policies and programs, assists in establishing and administering language capabilities policies, and oversees central management of commercial travel.

For More Information
  • Questions about ID cards or ID card policy? Visit Contact Us
  • Questions about encountering problems with CAC Smart Card functions, applets, or middleware? Contact cacsupport@mail.mil

News & Updates

Update  Overview 

 Termination of DoD identification (ID) cards for Civilian Retirees and Employer Support of Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Field Committee Volunteers

 

Per USD(P&R) memorandum dated and effective February 17, 2023, issuance of new DoD Civilian Retiree ID cards and DoD ID cards for ESGR Field Committee Volunteers have been terminated. Previously issued DoD Civilian Retiree DoD ID cards and DoD ID cards for ESGR Volunteers will be terminated effective August 31, 2023. Please find supporting documentation and materials below.

 Online Uniformed Services ID (USID) Card Renewal Pilot

 

DoD partnered with the Government Publishing Office to pilot a process that allows select sponsors to renew USID cards online, through ID Card Office Online. Sponsors may make requests online, which are sent to GPO to print and mail directly to cardholders. Please see our one-pager and list of FAQs for more information.

 Removal of the Magnetic Stripe from the Common Access Card (CAC)

 

Starting in the first quarter of calendar year 2018, the Department of Defense (DoD) will begin issuing Common Access Cards (CAC) without a magnetic stripe. Magnetic Stripe technology is one of the lease secure card technologies currently in use and its removal will help reduce the risk of identity theft to DoD ID card populations. Implementation will be phased across the DoD enterprise as the current card stock inventory is replaced. All card holders are asked to wait until their CAC expires before replacing it.

 Updated List of Acceptable Identity Documents for DoD ID Card Issuance

 

DoD is transitioning to the list of identity documents found in the Federal Information Processing Standards Publication (FIPS) 201-2 for issuance of ID cards.  Adults and children over 18 years of age are required to present two forms of ID prior to issuance.  The IDs presented must include a primary source identity document and either a secondary source identity document or an additional primary source identity document.

 Important Information for Beneficiaries Entitled to TRICARE and Eligible for Medicaid or Medicare

 

Beneficiaries who are entitled to TRICARE may simultaneously be eligible for Medicaid or Medicare.  A beneficiary CANNOT opt out of TRICARE entitlement or have their record terminated in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) in an effort to remove TRICARE entitlement and/or in favor for Medicaid or Medicare preference.  Please see the Coordination of Benefits trifold below for more information.

 Credential Personal ID Number (PIN) Reset (CPR)

 

Credential Personal ID Number (PIN) Reset (CPR) allows operators to reset the PIN on both locked CACs and locked identity authentication tokens, when those credential holders have biometrics already stored in DEERS. CPR sites may operate separately from Real-time Automated Personnel ID System sites, but CPR still requires an operator, properly provisioned by their Service/Component, and is not self-service.

 Affordable Care Act, DEERS, and You

 

Beginning for tax year 2015, DoD will report health care coverage for its current and retired Service members, and their dependents, to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  The report allows the IRS to determine which families had minimum essential coverage.  All sponsors should confirm that all individual and family member social security numbers (SSNs) are correct in DEERS to ensure information is correctly reported to the IRS.  Those who have not met the minimum essential coverage requirement will be required to pay a fee.

 Changes to the Front of the CAC

 

Beginning in July 2015, all Common Access Cards (CACs) will be issued with an affiliation color code in a white circle under the expiration date, including "W" for white, "G" for green, and "B" for blue.  The font size used for names will also vary to allow the full name of the cardholder to be printed.

 DoD Requires Documentation for Lost, Stolen CACs

 

Lost and stolen ID cards should be reported to the nearest DoD ID card facility.  CAC holders should present documentation from the local security office or ID card sponsor confirming that the ID card has been reported lost or stolen.  For dependents, the DD Form 1172-2 signed by the sponsor and confirming the ID card was lost or stolen should be presented.

 SSN Removal from All DoD ID Cards

 

In response to an increasing awareness of the growing need to protect the safety of Service members and their families' identity information, the DoD has begun to eliminate the Social Security Number (SSN) from DoD ID cards.

 TYA Eligibility

 

TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) is a premium-based health care plan available for purchase by qualified dependents.

 PFPA Privilege Management Program (PMP)

 

The Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA) Privilege Management Program (PMP) aligns the Pentagon with the mandates of Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12, and will be deployed in phases to begin with enrollments for the Mark Center, Defense Health Headquarters, and Pentagon personnel.

 DoD Quarterly PIV Updates

Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 required Federal Agencies to publish quarterly updates on PIV implementation.