Member Submission: Barrment from Military Installations/Bases
The following was sent in by a Member. If anyone had a similar experience, please share so he can work towards resolving this issue.
I retired from the Navy in Dec 2000 due to my impending legal issues. I received a full retirement, as I had already completed over 20 years of service. In June 2001 I had my day in court and my journey on the registry began.
Here in Jacksonville the Naval Hospital is located on the Naval Air Station. So every time I had a need for a service from the hospital I would show my identification card (ID) and zip onboard the Base. I have easily gone onto the Base 100 times since my retirement. Never an issue…well until today.
I arrived at the front gate of the Base about 7 am to ensure I would be early for my scheduled 745 appointment. I presented my ID and was told there is a problem, would I pull over to the area designated for “problems”. Apparently in 2011, Patrick Air Force Base in Canaveral placed a note on my account barring my entry to their base which meant I now barred from ALL military installations. After a number of Security personnel came over and asked questions, one of them made a command decision to escort me to the Hospital for my appointment; with the understanding I would get in touch with Security to figure out what flagged my ID card. I had a sneaking suspicion I knew what was going on.
A call to the Security Officer, a call to security at Patrick AFB and it was confirmed that my status as a Registered Citizen put me on a “Do not allow access” list. SOOO, since 2011, I have been gaining access to the Base ILLEGALLY. Yep, my 10 plus visits for my wife to the ER, ILLEGAL; my 30 days in the ICU, ILLEGAL; my 16 visits for inpatient/outpatient procedures, ILLEGAL; you get the idea.
As the last medical appointment was finished, I found two Security Officers waiting to escort me across the Hospital to the Security Office. Totally degrading, completely a walk of shame. Once at the Security Office, I was presented a letter on behalf of the Commanding Officer denying any access to the Base. If I attempt to gain access to ANY military installation I will be in violation of TRESPASS of a FEDERAL FACILITY/INSTALLATION. Title 18, Section 1382 empowers military commanders to prohibit certain individuals from entering on military base, or even in a region or area. A barrment is an action taken by a debarring official, usually a garrison commander, under the applicable laws and regulations to exclude a person or business from entering on a military installation or participating in contracts under the Federal Acquisition Regulation. Once a person or business is so excluded, it is considered that such person or business are debarred. https://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/how-to-appeal-a-barment-letter-from-military-base
Then, I was escorted back across the Hospital by another Security Officer to get back to the car. That Officer then followed my car off the Base.
I currently have no idea what am I supposed to do about my medical benefits that I pay an additional premium to get handled on the Base? I have lost access to my primary care DR, the Pharmacy, as well as all the other services the Hospital offered. How do I take care of getting my spouses ID card replaced later this year when it expires?
I share this experience because I know there are some others that are retired military or have access to a military installation to just beware, Barrment from one Installation will most likely result in barrment from ALL Installations.
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An update on my Base barrment situation. I reached out to the FAC members and leadership about what occurred. ALL of the responses were heartfelt. Some of the advice could not be used, but was appreciated. I was able to obtain the Naval Instructions that provided accurate steps and points of contact on what to do and how to submit it. As of today, I have drafted a four page letter to the Navy leadership that is within the guidelines they have established. I have spoken to the Navy lawyer in charge of providing the Admiral with the information proving the waiver I am requesting is legal and valid. I have been told my request in in accordance with the instructions, properly formatted and concise. The lawyer has also indicated I can call / email anytime for a status update. I was treated with kindness and respect from the Navy representation.
In short, FAC gave me a podium to ask “Can anyone offer advice” and it worked. I am hoping to have my access to the Bases re established in about two months. Thanks again to everyone that responded.
This is great news, Al, and I hope it works out in the end.
Al, this is great news. I see that JZ helped you out below on what to do. All the legal work shows that they cannot refuse to allow you on base as long as you get the waiver. That is why I was shocked when you reported being denied access. I thought that the military had changed their policy. So glad to hear that is not the case.
We were forced to move because of Clay County’s residency restrictions, but before the move, we used NAS JAX all the time — a great place to go. And yes, I have found that the military treats registrants with the greatest of respect, as well as all of society.
One added note, when I was researching all of this before JZ sent the regulations to me, I had read that bases allowed registrants who worked for civilian contractors on the base. The only stipulation was that they had to obey the laws concerning registrants — the same as you would off base. That is why I was shocked when you said you were barred. A special thanks to JZ who always helps us out with this situation.
Your problem is that you are in Florida. Talk to the ACLU about your situation, and what you can do. You may have to sue for remedy! Good Luck! I travel around the world and have never been refused access to any base, including Homeland Security Bases!
@Big Al in Jax & FAC,
I have mentioned this same issue (which affects me) many times in my posts on this website. I have all the Navy Instructions, NAS JAX Security and Navy Region Southeast Legal Office points of contact. Rather than typing a multi-page post here, I will make this information available to FAC upon request. They can retain this information and assist retirees statewide.
What it boils down to is getting a waiver (a letter) signed by Rear Admiral Mays. He is the current Navy Region Southeast Commander. With this letter (and a day pass) you will be able to access medical, commissary, exchange, and veterans offices on any Navy base in the Southeast Region which includes NAS JAX and Mayport.
I don’t want to speak for Capt. Munsey, but I’m sure he has valuable information to share as well.
JZ. That information would be very helpful. My email is. [email protected]. I am ok with this being posted. Thx in advance. Al
Is it possible to forward my contact information directly to JZ? Having the specific instructions that support my arguement and to see clearly where the military is standing would be very helpful. Thanks
FAC, I see you mentioned you have a liaison at the VA. I’m a former veteran that has been battling the VA for years to get a disability rating and compensation, but to no avail. I know you are not a law firm, however, if you could give me this person’s name, maybe they could point me in the right direction. Thank you for you assistance!
I know folks that can help you as well, so let me know the best way to send you the POC.
BIG AL
THANK YOU FOR YOUR 20 YEARS OF SERVICE
I being Ret. disabled USAF veteran KNOW very well how you must feel inside, that blank check you wrote to this government was used several times over and tossed away.
your story has been on my mind the entire day,
I would like to say if you had a plea withhold ADJ or other type that removes the conviction after you successfully completed Probation then it is not considered as a conviction in a US court if the military claims you have a felony conviction. you dont. just a thought.
Folks, the issue here and what many of you don’t realized is that Garrison Commanders have extraordinary powers and authority and pretty much they can do whatever they want and built up policies based on ” safety first”. It won’t matter how many complaints you make through your senators or congressmen, they will deny you access to the base because access to the base is a privilege, not a right and they can do it easily every single day of the week.
Now, yes, if you live in areas where major hospitals are not available, then yes, almost every VA hospital is superior to the military medical care facility, however, if you are like, in Hawaii, San Antonio, or in a place where you have a Level 1 hospital, then yes, the military hospital is better than VA.
Another thing is that is understandable your husband frustration, he gave 20 years of his life to the service of this country, he deserves better, regardless of his current status. He earned his privilege to access the base and do whatever he wants that is within the boundaries of what is right, like playing golf if he wants it and now, he is treated like a pariah or someone who deserves to be sent to exile in the most remote region of Siberia, away from any kind of human contact, hell, even away from any kind of animal contact for what is worth, because of a crime committed long ago.
I haven’t been turn away yet, but it is a matter of time I guess when my number will be up and be turned back. I sure hope that it doesn’t happen, but reading your story, it surely looks like at some point it will….