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Your CAC may be at risk if your DEERS record is missing identity docs

MARADMIN 393/26·August 25, 2026·2 min read·Official source
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The Marine Corps issued guidance reiterating federal requirements for CAC issuance and calling out a real problem: as of July 2026, roughly 21,584 Marines have DEERS records that are missing required identity documents. The Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) has been sending email notifications about this since January 2026. If your record isn't brought into compliance, your CAC could be cancelled.

★ Affects all reservists: If your DEERS record is missing required identity documents, your CAC is at risk of cancellation. Check your email and go to a RAPIDS site in person if you were notified or are unsure.

Who it affects

All active duty and SELRES Marines who hold a Marine Corps-sponsored CAC. If you got an email from DMDC to your government or personal email address on file in DEERS, you are in the flagged group. But even if you didn't get an email, it's worth knowing what's required.

What you need to do

If you were notified by DMDC, or if you have any doubt about your DEERS record:

  1. Go to a RAPIDS site in person. You cannot fix this remotely.
  2. Bring two original, unexpired, government-issued identity source documents. At least one must have a photo. A CAC does not count as one of your two documents.
  3. Have staff scan both documents into your DEERS record.
  4. If your documents show different names (maiden name, legal name change, etc.), bring formal proof of the name change as well.

To find your nearest RAPIDS location: https://idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/

For the full list of acceptable identity documents: https://www.cac.mil/portals/53/documents/list_of_Acceptable_documents_2025.pdf

If you were not notified and have no reason to think your record is incomplete, no action is required. Just be aware this is an active enforcement effort.

Key dates

  • January 2026: DMDC began sending notification emails to affected Marines
  • July 2026: ~21,584 Marines still out of compliance as of this message
  • No hard cutoff date is stated in the MARADMIN. Do not wait. CAC cancellation can happen before a deadline is announced. Check with your S-1 for any unit-level suspenses.

The official version

MARADMIN 393/26

References: NIST FIPS PUB 201-3 (federal PIV credential standards), DoDI 1000.13, and DoDM 1000.13 Vol. 1 (DoD ID card lifecycle policy).

POC: Mary Stroz, GS-12, MFP-1, mary.stroz@usmc.mil, (703) 784-9190.

This is written by a reservist, for reservists. It is not an official publication of HQMC or MARFORRES. Always verify guidance with your command or unit S-1 before acting on any article or summary.

Resources & references

The documents this bulletin points to, with a plain-English note on why each matters. Links marked CAC required need a government login.

  • Federal Identity Proofing Standard for PIV/CAC (FIPS PUB 201-3)Reference

    This NIST standard defines the policies governing PIV credential and CAC issuance, including the in-person appearance and two-document identity proofing requirements described in this MARADMIN.

  • ID Cards for Uniformed Services Members order (DoDI 1000.13)Reference

    This DoD Instruction covers identification card requirements for uniformed service members and dependents. This MARADMIN cites it as reinforcing federal identity proofing requirements across all military services.

  • DoD ID Cards Life-Cycle manual (DoDM 1000.13 Vol 1)Reference

    This DoD Manual governs the full lifecycle of DoD ID cards. This MARADMIN cites it as ensuring identity proofing requirements are applied uniformly across the department.

  • Acceptable Identity Documents List (DoW/CAC)

    This document lists the primary and secondary forms of ID you are required to bring when getting or renewing a CAC or dependent ID card at a RAPIDS site. If you are heading to an ID card appointment, check this list first so you do not show up with the wrong documents or an invalid combination.

  • RAPIDS Site Locator

    This is the RAPIDS ID Card Office Online tool, which lets reservists find a nearby ID card office, schedule appointments, and manage CAC and family member ID cards. It also supports online USID card renewal, which is relevant now that DMDC is extending card validity from 4 to 8 years for eligible cardholders.

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Your CAC may be at risk if your DEERS record is missing identity docs — Reservable