Can my NCO confiscate my CAC?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 11:54:44 -0400

was doing PAI this morning- immediately following my NCO collected everyone's CAC and said we would receive them at COB. No reason whatsoever. Guys have appointments, live off post, and need their CAC for clearing / eating at DFAC.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2021 12:30 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 12:30:02 -0400

Your CAC is government property and required to be surrendered when ordered by your Commander. It's written out in a regulation or DODI somewhere that I've seen cited.

The bottom line is your NCO isn't out there collecting IDs for fun and it wasn't his idea to collect them. Your NCO was instructed to do something by someone else, someone who was instructed to accomplish a task ordered by a commander.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2021 2:47 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 14:47:26 -0400

Your CAC was not "confiscated".

You mention that you were conducting PAI.
Part of that PAI requires: "Unit commanders will account for their assigned and attached personnel by verifying their full name, Department of Defense (DOD) common access card with electronic data interchange—personnel identifier, and/or full social security number (SSN)."
AR 600–8–6

I would presume that, rather than having everyone standing in line all day instead of working, they collected up the CACs to be verified against the HRAR (UMR) in IPPS-A, while everyone else got back to work.
That's not "confiscated", that's just handed over for that requirement.

They might also want to determine CAC expiration dates for everyone, as Soldiers are sometimes remiss on renewing their own CACs.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Aug 16 at 2021 2:52 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 14:52:00 -0400

is there someone in your chain of command you can talk to. It sounds like you have a valid point

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Aug 16 at 2021 5:40 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 17:40:19 -0400

Was it related to the PAI? If the inventory included checking the CACs it would explain why they were collected. If it's an issue I would bring it up with your NCO. Without knowing the purpose and context it is difficult to validate the claims that the cards were confiscated.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Aug 16 at 2021 6:36 PM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 18:36:59 -0400

Wouldn't your chow card suffice in the mess hall? Headcount should accept that. CAC is like an ID card and would not say whether you are on separate rations would it. If one not have a chow card you sign cash collection sheet, that how it was in my day.