RAPIDS, which stands for Real-time Automated Personnel Identification System, is a program within the Department of Defense that is managed by the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC). RAPIDS is responsible for managing the issuance of identification cards to military personnel, their dependents, retirees and other eligible individuals.
DMDC has a website to help you locate and find information about where you can renew or obtain new military IDs. The RAPIDS Appointment scheduling website has a robust search function, allowing you to search by state, ZIP code, place name or country.
Once you find a location, the RAPIDS site gives you hours of operation and contact information, plus useful information such as what documents you will need, how to add family members, policies for disabled veterans, and more.
You can schedule an appointment through the website. Once your appointment is set, you can use the RAPIDS website to confirm or cancel an appointment, if necessary.
The RAPIDS website supports military ID services for all branches of the military, including:
It is possible that you will receive a security error message when you try to use this site. These error messages occur because of the nature of websites maintained by the Department of Defense. Generally speaking, I click through without incident. Every setup is different. On my computer, I have to click on “ADVANCED,” then scroll down and click on the link that says “proceed to….”
It is also possible that your antivirus or other protection software will not permit you to go further due to the settings you have on your computer. Two options are to try another browser or to temporarily turn off your security software.
Despite the fabulousness of this website, I still encourage everyone to call and confirm everything before making a trip to an ID office. Hours may change, requirements may vary, and sometimes they even run out of stock. (Yes, this has happened to me. I don’t know how ID offices run out of IDs, but it happens.)
This website is particularly helpful for those who don’t have regular contact with the military, including retirees, reservists and National Guard families. I hope that you find it useful!
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