The 136th General Assembly of Ohio has passed a resolution urging Congress to reissue Department of Defense Civilian Retiree Identification Cards. This action follows the Department of Defense's decision in February 2023 to stop issuing new cards and to cease the renewal of existing ones, in compliance with the federal REAL ID Act. The previous identification cards allowed retired civilian personnel easy access to military recreational areas, such as Wright-Patterson Air Force Base FamCamp, but the new requirements necessitate that retirees request access from installation commanders and present additional documentation, making the process more cumbersome.

The resolution emphasizes the importance of civilian employees in the Department of Defense and advocates for their recognition and benefits, including simplified access to military recreational sites post-retirement. The Ohio General Assembly calls on Congress to reinstate the issuance of Civilian Retiree Identification Cards and to ensure that these cards are accepted for access without further documentation. The resolution will be communicated to various federal officials and the media to garner support for this initiative.