There is a silly old adage that holds, “If you’ve done nothing wrong, you have nothing to worry about.” But it’s natural to be nervous about an experience that requires you to provide your personal history for the last five years or better even when you’ve got nothing to worry about.

If you have never experienced a security clearance process, it’s understandable that you might feel intimidated or nervous about the process. This is normal, and even expected; but understanding how the process works really takes the mystery and fear out of the experience. To be completely honest, by the time the typical candidate is done with the security clearance process, they are likely a little bored by the paperwork, questions, and interviewing.

What Is The Security Clearance Process?

If you want to enter the United States military, you will be required to undergo a background check. This is NOT a security clearance process and you are not assigned a security clearance as a new recruit in basic training.

But the process is similar in some ways–the recruiter has to check law enforcement records and other materials to insure each recruit meets standards.

Once a military member is assigned a job that requires a security clearance of Confidential, Secret, or Top Secret, they will submit to an actual security clearance background investigation. This is also true for any federal hire who must have a clearance in order to fulfil job expectations.

The process in both cases is dictated by the as-needed clearance level. Those who need Top Secret clearances will have more complete investigations than those who require Confidential clearances.

In all cases, the clearance process is initiated by your chain of command. The employee or military member does not request or initiate a clearance process and the hiring agency will make the final determination as to whether the employee/troops requiring the investigations will be awarded the clearance and the responsibilities associated with them.

What To Expect During The Security Clearance Process

The first expectation to manage is the duration of this process. The paperwork alone is quite lengthy. Do not expect to get all your requirements accomplished in one sitting or a single interview.

The clearance process includes a series of steps including:

• A pre-investigation phase
• An investigation phase
• Adjudication
• Reinvestigation

A service member or federal hire will likely be accepted for a new job conditionally. If you do not pass the clearance process, the agency will make a determination on what to do next.

During the pre-investigation phase, the chain of command or the federal agency determines the need for the investigation and clearance process. Does the new troop or new hire require access to classified information? At what level? Determining these boundaries is a key part of the pre-investigation phase.

This is also the time when the applicant must complete the appropriate paperwork which may include:

• Questionnaire for National Security Positions
• Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions
• Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions

Before attempting to complete the documentation, new hires or new troops should familiarize themselves with the text of the 130-pages-plus Standard Form 86, which requests the background details needed to conduct the investigation. This form is, as you might guess, a very long document and can’t be approached “cold”.

That means you’ll need to gather a lot of personal data in order to successfully complete the form. What kind?

• Addresses and contact information for all addresses you have lived for at least the last five years
• Names of roommates, cohabitants, significant others, etc. for at least the last five years
• Information about schools attended for the last five years
• Job information including addresses, phone numbers, contact information, etc. for at least the last five years
• Information about ex-spouses where appropriate
• Information about any aliases, alternate names, married names, etc.
• Any information about past federal service
• Any information about past incidents involving law enforcement where applicable
• History of substance abuse issues or other relevant problems
• Credit and financial data
• Other information as required

The text of SF 86 reminds applicants that some clearance processes will include an interview. This is the applicant’s opportunity to “update, clarify, and explain information on your form more completely, which often assists in completing your investigation”.

The interview is not necessarily an indicator that you are “in trouble” with the process or that there are unanswered questions about your investigation that could make or break the approval of your clearance. Instead, view this interview as a way to put a human face on the data you submit as part of the investigation.

The investigation phase can take longer than you might expect. Some get nervous in the waiting period, mistakenly assuming that the longer it takes to get through the investigation phase, the less likely the clearance is to be approved. But this process may involve interviews or other contacts with people you know and these can take time to arrange and accomplish. The duration of your investigation is not necessarily an indicator as to its status.

And yes, the investigators may actually interview your parents, siblings, colleagues, co-workers, instructors, etc. It’s standard depending on how high your clearance needs to be.

Security Clearance Rejection

Rejection is not the same thing as being denied a clearance. The investigators may reject the submission if it does not have enough data or requires further development. Rejection is basically the investigators saying, “Try again” but this time with more complete information. Reasons why a clearance may be rejected include:

• Missing employment information
• Missing social security number of spouse or adult co-habitant
• Missing information on relatives
• Missing Selective Service registration details
• Missing or incomplete information concerning debts
• Missing or incomplete information on a bankruptcy
• Missing education reference information
• Missing or incomplete employment references
• Incomplete explanation of employment history
• Missing personal references
• Missing or incomplete explanation of drug use

The Adjudication Phase And Beyond

After the investigation, the adjudication phase is the time where the results come back from the investigators and the agency must decide whether to approve or deny the clearance. The investigators deliver the information to the agency or chain of command; they do not make determinations for the agencies that request the services.

While troops or employees are waiting out the investigation process, they may be provided interim approval or even an interim clearance so they can perform some duties ahead of formal recognition of the new worker’s clearance. In cases where the clearance is approved, the agency may add more responsibilities to the employee or service member commensurate with the new clearance.

In cases where the employee or service member does NOT pass the clearance process, the hiring agency will have to decide what to do and those decisions are not standardized. They will depend on the needs of the agency, the circumstances involved, and other variables.

Reinvestigation

Reinvestigation is the process required when enough time has elapsed since the original clearance’s approval, or when the employee or servicemember moves to a different agency and the clearance must be renewed or re-approved, etc. These may also be ordered in cases where there has been a break in service or duty. The requirements of the approving agency will be a key factor in whether you get reinvestigated or not.

Reinvestigations basically involve submitting new information when required, comparing the previously submitted data with that generated since the first security clearance process. These can also be ordered in any situation where the employee may have lost the faith and confidence of the chain of command or the hiring agency.

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Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter for Air Force Television News

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Military airport lounges have been a staple of official and leisure travel for servicemembers and their families for a very long time. Anyone who has ever had to make a permanent change of station move from a stateside to an overseas assignment has likely taken advantage of a military airport lounge, and those traveling with families to and from overseas locations find these lounges to be an oasis during the long trip.

Military Airport Lounges: The USO

Since World War Two, some of the most well-known military airport lounges have been operated by the USO. These lounges are open to currently serving military members and their families with unexpired ID cards and feature internet access, sleeping areas, small libraries, mini-theaters, snacks, and other services that vary depending on location. But these lounges aren’t open to all visitors.

The USO official site notes, “Occasionally, veterans or military retirees contact us to tell us they couldn’t get into a USO airport lounge because they didn’t have an active military ID card. As much as we’d like to open our doors to all those who have honorably served, we have limited space and resources.”

At the time of this writing, USO airport lounges are not open to retirees and veterans, preferring to use all available resources for those who are currently serving in uniform and their families.

Find A USO Airport Lounge

USO lounges are normally listed in airport directory maps and official sites. The signage and visibility for these lounges is often minimal so it is always best to ask at an airport information desk if you are not sure if the USO is active at that airport and where the lounge might be. An unexpired military ID is always required for entry into the lounge just like entering a military installation.

You can find a USO lounge by searching the official site: the USO has operations in roughly 200 locations (not all are in airports) so chances are good that you may find USO facilities in an airport you are traveling to or from if you’re traveling to common destinations for official business or leisure trips.

Be Mindful of Peak Travel Times

USO lounges can fill up fast during PCS season, during deployments, and (depending on location) TDYs. For example, if you are traveling from Colorado at the end of the summer just before the start of fall semester classes at the Air Force Academy, the USO lounge at Denver International Airport might be busier than usual. Peak travel times vary depending on location, tourist season, and other factors.

USO Airport Lounges: Not All Destinations Are Equal

Some USO operations are quite small, others, like the one located at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, may have partnerships with major league sports teams; one story that’s made the rounds on certain travel blogs notes the individual who checked into the Lambert Airport USO only to find there were free major league baseball tickets to be had for those arriving in St. Louis.

Some locations may offer free food, coffee, books, and sleep pods, others may also be able to arrange shuttle services from the airport or help travelers find shuttles going their way.

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The USO: Not The Only Lounge In The Airport

The USO operates military-specific lounges in major airports all over the world, but these are not the only airport lounges available, and many are open to military members even if those troops are not members of the clubs themselves.

Many airlines have frequent flyer or VIP clubs with lounge facilities that require membership to get in. These airlines often have policies for admitting non-members who serve in uniform and their families. They include, but are not limited to:

• American Airlines Admirals Club
• Delta Sky Club
• Priority Pass Lounges
• Centurion Lounges

Who Can Use An Airline Club Airport Lounge?

Generally, the airport lounges run by American Airlines, Delta, etc. are members-only spaces and those memberships can cost roughly $500 a year. But the rules for these members-only lounges often include exceptions for military members and sometimes their families, too.

The key to getting access to these lounges is to remember that the staff isn’t used to people coming in without a membership, and even though there are special rules in place for qualifying military travelers, lounge staff isn’t always aware of them and may have to be shown-it’s very good to have a copy of the pertinent rules pulled up on your mobile device to show a staff member in case they are unaware.

It’s also good to do this in a nice and unobtrusive way.

General rules for lounge access where military fliers are concerned will vary depending on the lounge, and rules are always subject to change so it’s best to check with the airline prior to your travel day to make sure you are still entitled to use a members-only airport lounge according to the rules of the program.

Airport Lounges That Have Allowed Military Access Without A Membership

American Airlines operates the Admiral’s Club in select airports around the world, in both domestic and international lounges.

The American Airlines official site says military members and family traveling same-day on United are eligible to use these airport lounges with a boarding pass and a military ID. Military members must be in uniform to travel.

Delta Airlines operates Delta Sky Club lounges and have no specific policy listed on the Sky Club official site for military, but some travel blogs claim Delta may allow those traveling in uniform to and from deployments permission to use the lounge with a copy of orders and military ID.

Delta Sky Club membership options are open to those who apply for credit cards (see below), and military members traveling over the holidays may find Delta operating military lounge type operations during peak holiday travel season as a way of showing support for troops and military families.

United Airlines has had a policy in the past that any active duty military member flying United same day may use United Clubs as long as you’re flying on orders AND are traveling in uniform. Some travel blogs report United Clubs staff being uninformed about this feature, needing to be shown the rules pertaining to military access as detailed on United.com.

But has this policy changed in recent days? Likely not, but it’s always better to check.

Some Airlines Don’t Have A Lounge, But…

You may find certain airlines have partnered with other agencies allowing access to airport lounges as a perk of booking, of being a member of frequent flyer programs, etc. It’s always best to ask at the time you book your air travel about the availability of airport lounge perks and how to get them.

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Getting Airport Lounge Access With A Credit Card

There are plenty of airport lounges that are members-only and do not necessarily have “open to military” policies. So, what’s the next best option for TDY travel, taking a family vacation to or from an overseas location, or for a permanent change of station move?

Military members enjoy the benefit of having a government travel charge card, but this card is only to be used for official business and mission-related travel expenses.

With that in mind, having that card may not be a way in to airport lounges, but using the card builds up your credit history and responsible use of credit with a government card may make a service member more attractive to credit card companies that offer high-dollar perks such as membership rewards and access to airport lounges.

Airport Lounges And Credit Card Accounts

The Centurion Lounge is found at major airports worldwide. This lounge is operated not by a specific airline, but rather by American Express and it is open to Amex Platinum Card holders only. This is described as a “day of departure” lounge and is not for those on arriving flights that have just landed. Platinum Club credit card holders are not admitted more than three hours prior to the departure time listed on the traveler’s tickets. Standby passengers are not permitted.

At first glance, this sounds like a no-go for enlisted military members who balk at the Platinum Card requirements. But remember that any military member who responsibly uses their credit may find themselves eligible to apply for an American Express card.

Annual Fee Waivers For Active Duty Military

American Express will waive the $550 annual fee for active duty service members and one of the perks includes access to some airport lounges! In the past, AmEx has been quite generous from all accounts in honoring this no-fee-for-active-duty-military policy, so applying for a Platinum Card in order to claim Centurion Lounge privileges is not as far-fetched as it might sound at first.

Remember that credit cards and their perks change frequently, and it is best to get the most up-to-date offers, terms, and conditions before agreeing to use the card.

Applying for a credit card results in a “hard inquiry” on your credit, so beware of applying (especially for a high-value card) too close to a VA home loan application, or any other major line of credit you might need to apply for in the next 12 months.

Benefits:

• 75,000 point sign-up bonus after you spend $5,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months
• Centurion and Priority Pass lounge access
• $200 credit for Uber rides yearly
• $200 airline fee credit yearly

Skip the Credit Card, Sign Up For A Lounge Access Program

Not interested in applying for a credit card? You might consider applying for a lounge access pass program instead; one such option is available with the Priority Pass program.

Priority Pass is not a credit card; it is a membership allowing access to more than one thousand airport lounges worldwide. This option is good for frequent travelers and especially those who may need to come and go overseas frequently.

A Priority Pass membership offers “stress-free” accommodations at airport lounges across “500 cities in over 140 countries worldwide” according to the official site, but the program also advertises “exclusive” retail, dining, spa and sleeping options offered “in selected airports.”

Unfortunately, at the time of this writing there does not seem to be a policy for military signups related to discounts, reduced fees, etc. But it never hurts to ask for the latest offers, perks, or preference for those in uniform.

One caveat about using Priority Pass; features and options are not standardized at all lounges. You may, depending on the nature and duration of your travel, be subject to restrictions or limitations of services. This is true at all times, but especially during peak capacity hours where alternative accommodations may be offered instead.

At the time of this writing, the Priority Pass program offers a “standard” package for just under $100 for occasional travelers, and as much as $400 or more for the Prestige level frequent traveler package.

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Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter for Air Force Television News

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Those considering applying to join the Reserve must weigh the pros and cons of serving as a Reservist. And it’s not as easy as simply deciding you want to serve part-time in the military rather than going for a full time career in uniform.

There are the nuances of each individual branch of service–some don’t want to join the Navy and would be happier in the Army, for example. Others may be interested in serving in one specific branch of service only. Whatever your motivations, there are things to know before making the commitment so that you make the most informed decision possible based on the pros and cons of becoming a Reservist.

The Various Branches Of The Reserve

Your options to become a reservist are as diverse as the number of military branches themselves. You can potentially join any of the following:

• Air Force Reserve
• Army Reserve
• Marine Corps Reserve
• Navy Reserve
• Coast Guard Reserve

What do you need to do to join as a Reservist? Meeting the following basic standards is the start:

• U.S. citizenship or resident alien status required
• In general be between 17 and 42 years old (specific requirements will vary by branch)
• Pass an Armed Forces physical exam
• Pass the ASVAB or Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
• Meet the minimum ASVAB eligibility standard for your branch of service
• Earn a “sufficient score” on the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT)
• Meet service-specific requirements for your chosen branch of military service
• Be willing to commit to a specific range of service from three to eight years depending on the job, branch of service, etc.

Joining The Reserve: Circumstances Count

When talking about pros and cons of becoming a Reserve member, the first thing to enter into the “con” category? You may not be able to rely on the experiences of those you know who have joined the Reserve if your circumstances aren’t similar.

What does that mean? It’s simple, really. If you are a civilian and want to become a member of the Reserve, your experience will be much different (not worse, just different) than those who joined as “prior service” active duty or as reservists in a different branch of the military. As a “con”, this basically means that you will need to do more personal research to learn what your experiences might be like under comparable circumstances.

On the “pro” side on this subject, your Reserve recruiter can pair you with others who have a similar circumstance to yours.

Are you a recent high school graduate interested in joining the Reserve while in college? Or are you already in the work force and interested but not sure how currently employed people manage both civilian careers and military duty? Your recruiter can help you talk to those who have actually had those experiences.

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Pros And Cons Of Becoming A Reservist

This is not meant to be a comprehensive list of every complaint and perk associated with joining a Reserve unit, but we will address some of the most common issues starting with the commitment you must make to become a part-time military member.

Military Service Commitment

Pro: Reservists generally serve one weekend a month and two weeks per year in peacetime. That is a reasonable commitment even if you hold a full-time career. Your commitment remains stable from year-to-year in peacetime. Reservists drill for 48 periods or units per year. That sounds like a “con” until you realize that a typical drill weekend period consists of four drill periods.

Con: During contingencies including natural disasters, combat deployments, and other special circumstances this schedule is definitely subject to change. You may be activated, deployed, placed on active duty, etc. with short notice in some cases.

Training

Pro: Military training is provided including career field training. Those looking to break into a technical field may find that Reserve experience is a good stepping stone to experience in that field.

Con: You will be required to attend basic training the same as any military recruit. After basic training you may also be offered advanced training.

Pro: All Reservists participate in annual training for two weeks per year which earns you active duty pay for the duration of the training period.

Activation to Full-Time Service

Con: You may be activated to full-time service and this may be on an individual basis or as part of a unit activation. You could serve 30 days in a unit near your hometown or up to a year supporting a mission outside of the United States. Opting out of a deployment labeled involuntary is not an option.

Benefits

Pro: You get military benefits when you serve in the Reserve. Your pay is based on your rank and time-in-service, and you get active duty pay during training periods.

There is free training to prepare you for your Reserve Component job. Reservists are offered TRICARE Reserve Select which is described by official sources as a “subsidized, fee-based health care coverage” program for reservists and their families when the military member is not on active duty.

Reservists on active duty for more than 30 days get comprehensive medical/dental care for free. Family members are offered health care coverage when the military member is activated for more than 30 days.

Con: The benefits you get tend to pale in comparison to full-time, active duty benefits in the same areas. This is a common complaint, and a fact of life in the Reserve.

Pro: There are Reserve education benefits offered via the Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (SR) and there are also options for earning the Post 9/11 GI Bill which can be transferred to spouses and dependents under the right circumstances.

Con: The education benefits offered require a minimum six-year commitment.

Balancing Military And Civilian Commitments

Pro: You are only required to serve one weekend a month during peacetime, plus two weeks of training per year. This was mentioned above in the service commitment section. The pro here is that federal law requires your employer to work with you to meet your Reserve commitment and the Reserve duty in peacetime is a reasonable commitment to make.

As a reservist, any time you are called to active duty for 30 days or longer you qualify for protections under the Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act (SCRA). These protections begin on the date active duty orders are received and in certain cases the servicemember’s dependents may be eligible.

Con: If you fail to meet your weekend duty and training obligations, you are subject to a court-martial or other disciplinary action. The protections offered to you under federal law including SCRA are not helpful if you aren’t in good standing with your duty commitment.

The con section here includes noting that SCRA protections (credit, interest rate protections, other consumer assistance) are not offered to Reserve members unless they are activated for 30 days or more. The common complaint that active duty troops have it better, while not always applicable or relevant, is definitely a factor in this particular area.

Joining The Reserve As An Extension Of An Existing Military Career

Pro: As a prior-service Reservist you can begin a new civilian career and quit worrying about full time duty commitments.

Con: You can still be activated for full-time duty when required and be deployed overseas if required.

Pro: Prior-service Reservists who switch from active duty to reserve duty before reaching enough years to qualify for military retirement can still earn your retirement pay in the reserve branch of your choice. You won’t give up your retirement and you aren’t required to serve 24/7.

Con: You have to wait until age 60 at a minimum to draw your retirement pay in most cases, unlike those who hit a 20-year retirement on active duty. Those troops get their retirement pay right away. Reservists must meet specific criteria when they are transferring from active service to the Reserve in order to qualify for retirement pay:

• Be at least 60 years old (some may qualify to retire at age 50 depending on circumstances)
• Have at least 20 years of qualifying service
• Must have performed the last six to eight years of qualifying service while a member of the Active Reserve depending on circumstances in most cases
• The Reservist must not “be entitled, under any other provision of law, to retired pay from an armed force or retainer pay as a member of the Fleet Reserve or the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve”

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Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter for Air Force Television News

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Can you deliver food to a military base if you are an Uber Eats driver, a DoorDash driver, etc? And what about those who order food from Postmates, GrubHub, and other services? Do these customers have to rush down to the front gate to meet their delivery driver or can they get it dropped off at the front door of their on-base home or office?

You might not think this delivery question is an important one, but believe it or not there are major issues that surround on-base food delivery services. Base security is the first one, but what about the Uber driver or Postmates delivery person who has to decide whether or not to risk bad feedback if they run afoul of base access rules they don’t fully understand?

Food Delivery On Military Bases

The first thing to understand whether you are a customer or a delivery driver? There are NO across-the-board, standardized rules for access to a military base or federal installation with one exception (see below). The rules can and do change often based on a wide range of variables including mission requirements, threat levels, and any number of local issues.

You will need to learn the rules of access for each individual base you need to deliver or have items delivered to. And don’t assume all the differences have to do with differences in the branch of service–two Air Force bases in the same area may have radically different access rules.

What is the one set-in-stone rule for accessing a military base? If you don’t have a military ID, you will need special permission to enter the base on foot or by car unless you are a federal employee or otherwise are granted official access.

Delivery Options

Delivery drivers and customers have multiple options for dealing with the delivery situation. The simplest option is simply for the customer to arrange to meet the driver outside the front gate of the base, collect the order and pay without the driver ever having to pass the gate.

Some bases that don’t permit access to delivery drivers may actually codify this practice by having a designated place to park to drop off deliveries or people. Others may require a bit more planning.

Drivers and customers who anticipate regular deliveries to a military base should contact the Pass and ID office, visitor center, or main gate to request information about base access for deliveries. In many cases you may find that the delivery option requires the driver to avail themselves of visitor parking at the designated gate or the main gate.

Many DoorDash drivers and others complain about the difficulty in accessing the base to make timely deliveries; it pays to know in advance of a delivery what is required whether that’s “meet me at the main gate” or another option.

Security Forces Guard The Front Gate

Some military bases–a small number comparatively speaking–don’t have any gate guards. Certain facilities may be accessible by Common Access Card or other entry control methods. In these cases only those who have the swipe cards or other means of access can physically enter the area.

But for most situations, you can expect to drive to a front gate of a military base and be met with an armed Security Forces member who is charged with making sure only authorized personnel enter the base.

For Uber Eats drivers, DoorDash or GrubHub delivery vehicles, the guards at the front gate are people you want to get to know since they will decide (in part) whether you get to enter the base or not. Security Forces are your friends, not your adversaries. And these guards have specific procedures they are required to follow to control entry.

If you are denied entry it’s not because of a decision the guards make individually, but rather what their regulations require them to do. You won’t be able to bend the rules; any gate guard who offers to help you bend the rules (rather than meeting the requirements for entry) will likely not be working the front gate very long.

How To Gain Access To A Military Base To Deliver Food, Groceries, Etc.

With the understanding that such policies vary from base to base, here are some general guidelines for delivering food on a military base.

The first thing you’ll need to do is to call the base’s Visitor Center, Welcome Center, or even the base operator (ask to be connected to the office responsible for approving commercial vehicle access to the base such as Pass and ID, Security Forces office, etc.) and ask what the procedures for commercial vehicle access to the base is currently.

Some bases will permit a delivery driver to access family housing area on base but not “working areas” such as the flightline, maintenance depots, etc. Others may have a designated delivery procedure worked out for drivers in advance. You’ll want to know what the rules for access are and under what circumstances.

Here’s an excerpt from the regulations at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia:

“All commercial vehicles and their contents will be inspected each time they enter the installation. Commercial vehicles include, but are not limited to: taxis, limousines, delivery cars/vans (such as pizza delivery or courier services)..”

These guidelines include a requirement to classify large and small commercial vehicles; depending on your classification you may only be permitted to access the base via certain gates and at certain hours.

Remember, not all bases permit such access by commercial vehicles; controlled access areas such as a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) may not permit any outsider access whatsoever. Some bases have high security procedures for reasons not apparent to civilians; you simply may not be allowed to enter some bases if you don’t have military ID, orders, or some other form of authorization to be there from the government.

DoorDash, GrubHub, Postmates Customers

This section applies to customers of any delivery service, and is not exclusive to the companies mentioned so far; when ordering from any of these it is crucial to remember that the customer service experience you get with a delivery to a military base will NOT be identical to those where there are no access issues.

Military customers should be mindful about tipping well, about providing APPROPRIATE feedback for the delivery drivers, etc. Complaining that your order took longer because you had to go to the front gate to collect the delivery is a lousy thing to do to your driver who is at the mercy of base regulations and forced to take longer with your order as a result.

Drivers complain frequently about the treatment they get at the front gate–sometimes out of ignorance of the procedures and how long it can take to make it to the front gate at peak entry and exit times.

But they also complain about a lack of understanding from their military customers when there are delays or other issues with delivery. On-base customers should remember that they have it easy when it comes to accessing the base because they are trusted and have ID cards.

Delivery drivers are viewed as third-party outsiders by your front gate security forces guards and must be dealt with accordingly. Cut your driver some slack and give tips and feedback accordingly.

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Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter for Air Force Television News

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