Base Stickers?

[meosborn]

Been in for 12 years and never had someone attempt to put it on any vehicle. Don't think the USAF does that...

I probably should have said Navy bases.

 

[DELETE-PLEASE]

What irks me is not putting stickers on, its having to PHYSICALLY present my MSF card at the gate in addition to my ID. And I was told they will not accept photocopies, nor laminated cards.

So this means what they're requesting is that my paper MSF card be handed to the gate guard on a daily basis without any means of protecting it. And if I can't produce it or they can't read it, I can't get on base.

And the best part is, you can't even GET a sticker without first showing that you're taken and passed an MSF course!!!! The logic of this system is beyond me.

This is why God gave Man knowledge and allowed us to figure out how to make a color photocopier. And I put mine in a clear "access badge" holder that hangs around my neck, with spots for 2 IDs. A convincing front/back color copy (folded and wrinkled to help carry over the charade) of my MSF card takes one side, and my military ID takes the other.

Someone needs to beat some logic into them. If I have a sticker, I've taken an MSF course. And we CAN'T constantly produce the only ORIGINAL card and subject it to wear and tear.

Sigh. But then again, I guess the military IS known to do things a little nonsensical every now and then.

Alexi

PS - So far, so good, I have not been caught on my color copy. But I keep the original in a protective cover in my topbox at all times just in case one day they call my bluff.

 

[USAFFJR]

What irks me is not putting stickers on, its having to PHYSICALLY present my MSF card at the gate in addition to my ID. And I was told they will not accept photocopies, nor laminated cards.

Ok, that's beyond excessive. And what service does this craziness?!?

 

[DELETE-PLEASE]

Good 'ol Army! We had someone who had a copy of his MSF card, insurance, and registration all in a laminated pouch and after about a week of going through, i guess the rules were changed and they told him "No copies, and you can't laminate it."

Sigh.

Well, here's hoping that things will have changed by the time I return to the good 'ol US of A. We'll see just how much crap I'll have to go through to get in when I get back.

Alexi

PS - I debated carrying my MSF card in my trunk and physically dismounting, turning off the bike, and retrieving the card EVERY time we went through the gate. Sure it'd piss off the gate guards and drivers that left home WAY too late to get to work on time, but maybe it'd get a bit of a message through......especially if I could organize a fair amount of people to do this (a bunch of motorcycles coming through the gates at the same time every day, with this routine MIGHT get something done....)

 

[.paul]

Considering all the noise the Navy has made about taking the MSF Miltary Sportbike Safety Course, they haven't asked for the completion card at Bethesda, which is fine by me, since I lost mine. My BRC completion card is LOOOONG gone.

As far as the base sticker, I just put it on the lower right portion of the windscreen (if you're looking at the bike) but I also don't GAF

 

[Rick_W]

PS - I debated carrying my MSF card in my trunk and physically dismounting, turning off the bike, and retrieving the card EVERY time we went through the gate. Sure it'd piss off the gate guards and drivers that left home WAY too late to get to work on time, but maybe it'd get a bit of a message through......especially if I could organize a fair amount of people to do this (a bunch of motorcycles coming through the gates at the same time every day, with this routine MIGHT get something done....)

Been there - done that.

Not to show my MSF card, but because my black leather jacket - with 2" wide retroreflective tape sewn to both front shoulders and across the back shoulders & waist - did not meet the gate guards definition of "a brightly colored upper outer garment" just after dawn.

So I stopped the motorcycle, put it on the kickstand, removed my gloves, removed my helmet, took my road-guard vest from the saddlebag and put it on, and then replaced my helmet, gloves, started the bike, and took off. Not a lot of happy people behind me, but what can you do?

I carry a copy of the DOD regs with me now. If a gate guard tries to tell me I am not within regs, I ask for a copy of the base instructions. If they don't have a copy handy, I ask them call the watch captain so we can take care of the problem. Only had to do that once.

 

[USAFFJR]

I carry a copy of the DOD regs with me now. If a gate guard tries to tell me I am not within regs, I ask for a copy of the base instructions. If they don't have a copy handy, I ask them call the watch captain so we can take care of the problem. Only had to do that once.

I've had to do something like this more than once. Gave them a nice copy and called base safety to engage with the contracting office (since the gate guards are all contractors now). Base safety here says they have the same problem once a month or so. Must have to do with rotating shifts. They must've done something right -- it's been almost 2 months and no grief! :yahoo:

 

[.paul]

I've only had problems with the guards twice. Once they wanted me to take off my helmet so they could "make a positive ID." I asked the chick if she was serious then did the whole process as slow as possible, as others have said. It was frikk'n November and I was the only twit on a motorcycle going through the same gate for a month. Whatever.

Later in December or January I was told that my gear was not bright/reflective enough. I showed the guards all the reflective parts of my jacket, pants, gloves, and saddle bags they didn't say anything after that and never did for the rest of the time I rode - at least until May. Now I don't have a choice, I have to cage it :thumbdown:

 

[bandit]

I just stuck mine on the lower fork tube. they come off pretty easily if you use some heat so you wont damage anything.

 

[pawtracks]

I carry a copy of the DOD regs with me now. If a gate guard tries to tell me I am not within regs, I ask for a copy of the base instructions. If they don't have a copy handy, I ask them call the watch captain so we can take care of the problem. Only had to do that once.

The unfortunate problem with that is when fireman Timmy tries that he's labeled a sea lawyer; when a Chief does it he is "trying" to fix the problem.

With the frequency of coming across gate guards who let the title "Federal Law Enforcement Officer" feed their ego it becomes a periodic cycle.

misinformed - corrected - misinformed - corrected...

 

[meosborn]

The good thing is that Fireman Timmy is only labled a sea lawyer by the "Federal Law Enforcement Officer" so who cares. From my experience, the difference between being a sea lawyer and being right is the documentation. It only takes a little time to find the regulations for where you are stationed and to get them printed out and stored in your bike for quick reference.

No argument, just documentation.

Unfortunately, the Navy still allows the region commanders to add requirements to the safety instruction which only feeds to the confusion since people don't stay in one area their entire career.

Of course, if the current budget issues continue, we may just stay in one region our entire careers.

 

[USAFFJR]

I ended up getting a plate made that replaced my reflector on the lower fork tube. I'm exhausted and it's late, so I'll take a pic this weekend and post up. Honestly, I could've gotten something nicer, but this will work for now.