Having your girlfriend visit you on a military base is a common desire for service members who are dating someone while enlisted. However, the rules surrounding bringing civilians onto base can be tricky to navigate. In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about getting your girlfriend approved for on-base visits.
The Basics of Bringing Visitors on Base
In general, the process for bringing any visitor onto a military base involves getting them cleared and approved ahead of time. Bases have security requirements to protect personnel and assets, so not just anyone can freely come and go. Your girlfriend will need to provide some personal information and go through a background check to get visitor access.
The specifics on how to get a visitor pass approved for your girlfriend will vary depending on your branch of service and the individual base. But in most cases, you’ll need to fill out a request form several weeks or more in advance to start the review process. Some key pieces of information you’ll need to provide are:
- Your girlfriend’s full legal name, birthdate, social security number
- Driver’s license or state ID number and expiration date
- Personal and work contact information for your girlfriend
In addition, you’ll provide details on when you want your girlfriend to visit, where on base she’ll need access to, and why she is visiting. The base Provost Marshal office reviews all visitor requests and will approve or deny based on eligibility criteria.
Eligibility Requirements
For girlfriends to be allowed on base as a visitor, there are a few key requirements to meet:
- Citizenship: Your girlfriend must be a U.S. citizen. Foreign nationals are generally not permitted access.
- Age: She must be 18 years or older.
- Identification: She’ll need government-issued photo ID like a driver’s license.
- Background check: She cannot have any serious criminal offenses on record.
- Escort: You’ll need to stay with her at all times when she is on base.
As long as your girlfriend meets these requirements and passes the background screening, she should be approved for occasional visitor access. This allows her to come on base to visit you and attend authorized activities together.
Getting a Longer-Term Pass
If your girlfriend needs to visit you more regularly over an extended period of time, she may be eligible for a long-term pass. This can be valid for up to a full year and allows for multiple entries.
To get a long-term girlfriend visitor pass, the process is similar to a one-time request. But she’ll need to go through a more extensive background investigation. Factors like frequency of visits, her need to access the base, and the length of your relationship may be taken into account for approval.
Having a long-term pass makes it much easier for girlfriends of service members to come on base for visits, social events, and activities like gym access. If you’ll be dating for a while, look into pursuing this option.
Restrictions to Know
If your girlfriend gets approved to visit base, there are still some important rules and restrictions to follow whenever she comes on post:
- She must carry her valid ID at all times.
- No prohibited items (weapons, drugs, etc.) can be brought on base.
- Off-limits areas are strictly forbidden without proper clearance.
- You must escort and stay with her at all times.
- Visits are only permitted during approved times.
- Follow all base policies and the instructions of security forces.
As long as you understand the base protocols and your girlfriend cooperates fully, her visits should go smoothly. But any violations could get her barred from the base or facing disciplinary action.
Housing Rules for Girlfriends
A common question when dating someone in the military is whether your girlfriend can stay with you in on-base housing overnight.
The rules on overnight girlfriend visitors in military housing units vary across bases, branches of service, and rank. Some general guidelines include:
- In barracks/dorms, overnight stays are either prohibited or restricted to just a few nights per month.
- For on-base family housing, live-in girlfriends typically aren’t allowed.
- Off-base housing often has fewer restrictions, besides guest limits.
- Higher-ranking service members may have more flexible visitation policies.
Check your base housing regulations to understand the specifics. But in general, don’t count on your girlfriend being able to stay for extended periods.
Tips for Successful Visits
To make sure your girlfriend’s base visits go smoothly and you both have a great time, keep these tips in mind:
- Submit visitor requests early, at least a few weeks in advance if possible.
- Have backup ID/documents in case any issues come up with her clearance.
- Confirm where you’ll be able to take her on base ahead of time.
- Plan activities on base that you’ll both enjoy.
- Be polite and cooperate fully with all base personnel.
- Follow all base rules to avoid any problems.
- Communicate with your chain of command if any questions come up.
With some advanced planning and understanding of the process, you should be able to get approval for your girlfriend to visit base. Enjoy showing her around your home away from home!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about getting girlfriend approval to visit military bases:
How far in advance do I need to submit a request?
Aim for at least 2-3 weeks in advance, if not longer. The more complex background checks can take some time.
Can my girlfriend get a base access card?
No, only authorized personnel can get regular base access cards. Girlfriends will need to go through visitor processing each time.
Are there limits on how often she can visit?
It depends on the type of pass. Single visit passes are for one-time entry. Long-term passes may allow for multiple visits over many months.
Can she drive herself on base?
In most cases, no. You’ll need to meet her at the visitor control point and escort her at all times on base.
What areas can she access?
With you as an escort, she can access public areas like exchanges, recreation facilities, restaurants, etc. Restricted areas will be off limits.
Key Takeaways
- Girlfriends can request access to visit service member boyfriends on military bases.
- Visitor requests should be submitted weeks/months in advance for review.
- Background checks and eligibility requirements must be met for approval.
- Visits may be limited to public areas of the base when escorted.
- Overnight housing stays often have restrictions.
- Following all base rules is critical for visit privileges.
With some time and planning, you can make getting base access for your girlfriend happen. Now you know the whole process so visits with your significant other on base can go smoothly!