General Membership Meeting

Tuesday, October 14th

7:00 pm

Register to Attend
by Monday, October 6th

Our October meeting will be on Tuesday, October 14th, 7:00pm at Ft. Myer's Patton Hall (same location as always).  Our complimentary Oktoberfest menu will include (to be confirmed) an assortment of German sausages with Three Bean Salad, Sauerkraut & Red Cabbage, German Potato Salad, Potato Pancakes with Applesauce, and Carrot Cake for dessert.  A cash bar will be available for the drinks of your choice.

We're asking everyone to register to attend – by Monday, October 6th (just a week before the meeting) – so we can adjust the catering. 

Bringing a Guest?

If you plan to come to the meeting with someone else, there are two ways to let us know:

• If your companion is a club member in their own right, they can log in with their credentials and register for the meeting much as they would do if signing up for a trip.
  
• Whether your companion is a club member or not, you can simply include them in your own meeting registration by clicking on the Add guest button before submitting your registration.
  

If Your Plans Change

If your plans change and you can no longer attend, please let us know (ideally by Monday, October 6th) so we can adjust our catering order.  You may do this by:

• Calling (301-579-2749) or emailing Dave Olsen
• Cancelling your registration yourself:
  
• • log into your account
  • click on your name at the top
  • click on My Event Registrations
  • click on your meeting registration
  • click on the Already registered link
  • click on the Cancel registration button

NOTE:  Everything below is a work in progress as we update the Ft. Myer entry instructions.

Entry to Ft. Myer
REAL ID Requirement

Ft. Myer has implemented a REAL ID Requirement (click for the full explanation on their website).  Briefly:

• All occupants of a vehicle should be prepared to present a REAL ID at the security checkpoint.
• Any occupant who does not have a REAL ID-compliant state driver’s license will need to provide a second form of identification.  We suggest you check Ft. Myer's website for the list of acceptable ID.
• You should be able to enter the base if you have an active duty or retired military ID, or a DoD-issued Common Access Card (CAC).
• One-Day Pass:   You might consider instead applying for a temporary/one-day entry pass online at this website.  If approved, you'll receive a text notification on your phone that links to your ID credential.  Your application must normally be submitted at least four days in advance of your visit, but might be approved almost instantaneously depending on your footprint in various online systems.

Long-Term Ft. Myer Entry Access

You may recall that we offered an opportunity when signing up for our September meeting, to be sponsored for obtaining long-term (1-year)  access to the base.  We anticipate being able to repeat that opportunity on a quarterly basis.  The next opportunity will be in conjunction with our December 16, 2025 club meeting.  But not at this time.

VCC Operating Hours

• The former hours were 0600-1700 M-F and 1000-1500 Saturday
• Their current hours are 0700-1530 Mon-Fri ONLY

Physical Visitor Passes No Longer Issued

Ft. Myer is no longer issuing physical visitor passes.  Instead, they will link your access approval to your REAL ID.  Then, they will simply scan your REAL ID at the gate.  If your state driver's license is not REAL ID compliant, they will link to it, but you will still need to provide your second form of identification (discussed above) each time you enter.

Please take a moment to review our Entry to Ft. Myer page.  There are several ways you'll be allowed to enter:

• With Suitable ID:  If you have an active duty or retired military ID, or a DoD-issued Common Access Card (CAC) (and possibly several other types of government-issued ID), you should be able to enter the base without screening. 
• Without a Pass:  If you arrive for a club meeting outside of Visitor Control Center (VCC) hours (see below) and without suitable ID, your vehicle will be searched and you'll need to be vetted through their security system before being allowed entry.  This may take some time, so we suggest that you arrive at the base early.
• One-Day Pass:  You can apply for a one-day pass online at this website (click on the link).  You can then show the pass on your phone to gain entry.  However, application must be submitted at least four days in advance of your visit.  The process time may depend on your footprint in various online systems, and you may need to go to the VCC to have your photo taken. That said, your application might be approved almost instantaneously if you've previously been approved for an AIE Pass.
• 60-Day Pass:  You may apply for a 60-day pass at the Visitor Control Center, located just inside the main gate.  The VCC is open 7am-3:30 pm Mon-Fri.  You should be able to obtain a 60-day Automated Installation Entry (AIE) Pass right on the spot.
  You will need to complete an access application and be vetted through their security system.  To help speed the process, we suggest that you complete the Fort Myer Installation Access Request Form ahead of your visit and bring it with you.
• Long-Term/Annual Pass:  With sponsorship by Patton Hall, you may be able to get an AIE Pass good for as long as a year.  As mentioned above, we anticipate offering another opportunity for obtaining an annual pass in conjunction with our planned December 16, 2025 club meeting, but not at this time.

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