In the past, adults could gain entry to Fort Sill by showing any government-issued I.D. card (driver’s license, tribal membership, V.A. identification, etc.). After the attacks of 9/11, the Department of Defense (DoD) passed more restrictive rules for military bases worldwide. However, the Army has been operating with an exemption to that rule until recently.
Current Guidelines
The DoD guidelines require that everyone entering a military installation have a nationwide background check. With the lifting of the exemption, Fort Sill is implementing an installation access policy. This policy is in accordance with Fort Sill Memo 190-13 and meets the background check requirement. Photographic pass cards will be issued for all visitors and open a Visitors Control Center (VCC) (located just south of Bentley Gate on Sheridan Road) to manage the program.
Under DoD guidelines, adults and certain children (16 years old or older and are driving a vehicle) without a current active duty military I.D. card, family I.D. or retiree I.D. must go through the VCC for a pass card. This card will then allow them unescorted access to Fort Sill.
Acceptable Identification
All visitors to federal installations — including military bases — will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant credential or acceptable alternative identification to gain unescorted access.
✅ What is an acceptable ID?
Visitors may present any legal form of identification, including but not limited to:
- REAL ID-compliant driver’s license (look for a ⭐️ in the upper right corner)
- U.S. Passport or Passport Card
- State or local government-issued ID
- Student ID (in some cases)
- Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
- Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC)
- Federal PIV or PIV-I card
- DOD Common Access Card (CAC)
- Military Retiree or Dependent ID
- Local installation access passes (e.g., DBIDS card)
If you do not have a REAL ID, you may present two forms of acceptable ID, such as a non-compliant driver’s license + U.S. Passport or Veterans Health ID Card.
