REAL ID standards for Arnold AFB access begin May 7

Published April 22, 2025

By Keith Davis

AEDC Security Forces Chief of Planning and Programming

ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --

Visitors to military installations, including Arnold Air Force Base, will soon need to present a REAL ID for access.

Beginning May 7, 2025, all visitors seeking access onto Arnold AFB will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant credential, in accordance with federal requirements.

The REAL ID Act, originally passed by Congress in 2005 and now set for full implementation in just a couple of weeks, set prescribed minimum security standards for government-issued identification, including drivers’ licenses.

With this change, anyone accessing Arnold AFB or other secure federal and military installations will need REAL ID-compliant identification. This will also be required for boarding flights in the U.S. for air travel.

If a visitor does not have a REAL ID-compliant card, the only alternative forms of identification for visitors to use in conjunction with their non-compliant REAL ID credential include:

Original or court certified birth certificate and social security card

Valid U.S. Passport Card

Veteran’s Health Identification Card

Transportation Worker Identification Card

Military personnel, civilian employees, dependents, contractors and base residents will not be impacted by this change. These groups may continue to use their Common Access Card or Uniformed Services Identification Card for base entry.

Beginning May 7, 2025, REAL ID will be required when renewing access credentials.

To determine if your current driver's license is REAL ID compliant, look for a star in the upper right-hand corner of your ID.

First-time visitors or those with questions about installation access should visit or contact the Arnold AFB Visitors Center at 931-454-4010 or https://www.arnold.af.mil/HOME/BASE-ENTRY/.

More information about REAL IDs, including answers to frequently asked questions, are located at https://www.dhs.gov/real-id.