DOD to Include Red Cross Emblem on Some Common Access Cards

By Amaani Lyle
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 11, 2014 - By late July, the Defense Department will issue the Geneva Conventions Common Access Card with a red cross emblem to military personnel and DOD civilian employees in certain medical, medical auxiliary or religious occupational specialties, a Pentagon official said today.

During an interview with American Forces Press Service and the Pentagon Channel, Sam Yousef, program manager for identity and benefits policy at the Defense Human Resources Activity, said the revision replaces DD Form 1934, "Geneva Conventions Identity Card for Medical and Religious Personnel Who Serve In or Accompany the Armed Forces."

The revision, Yousef said, is one of DOD's numerous efficiencies to reduce paperwork and issuance processes.

"We're excited to streamline this process, not to be issuing that paper card, and we will be complying through the common access card."

People can allow for their current paper card to expire before seeking a new one bearing the emblem on the bottom-right corner, Yousef said.

Real-time Automated Personnel Identification System ID card issuance facilities and will continue to provide the card indefinitely, and eligibility is limited to those specifically identified medical and religious occupational specialties provided to the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System by the military services and DOD agencies, he added.

(Follow Amaani Lyle on Twitter: @LyleAFPS)