Can someone give me an overview of the process for obtaining a military family member ID card?

I'm kinda stressed about all my post-grad options. Joining the military is a possibility for me, and Ive heard about these military family member ID cards. Does anyone know what the process is like to get one? Is it a straightforward process or are there hoops to jump through? Any advice would be awesome, thanks!

Absolutely, I'd be happy to provide some general detail about the process of obtaining a U.S. military dependent ID card, also known as an ID Card for Military Family Members. These cards provide family members of active duty, Reserve, and veteran military members access to benefits and services.

Here's a basic rundown of the steps to obtain this kind of ID card:

1. Eligibility Verification: First off, you need to determine if you're eligible. Family members of active duty, National Guard, Reserve Component, retired service members, and even certain veterans are eligible for a dependent's ID card.

2. Collect Necessary Documents: You'll need to gather vital documents including the military sponsor's identification and proof of relationship to the applicant, such as a marriage license for a spouse or birth certificate for a child.

3. Schedule An Appointment: Once you've determined your eligibility and collected necessary documents, the next step is to schedule an appointment at a Real-Time Automated Personnel Identification System (RAPIDS) site, which are usually located on military installations. There's also a RAPIDS site locator online that you can use to find nearby locations.

4. Verification and Photo: At the RAPIDS appointment, an official will verify the dependant's eligibility and take a photo for the ID.

5. Issuance: After verification, your dependent ID card will be issued on the spot.

Remember, every military branch might have slight variations in this process, but this is the general gist. Also, these cards typically expire every four years and will require an updated photo and document verification.

It's a pretty straightforward process overall, but gathering the necessary proof of relationship documents might take a bit of time, so it's good to start early. Also, keep in mind that the ID card only applies for family members if you decide to join the military, and not just for prospective members. I hope this helps you, and best of luck in your post-grad decisions!