JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
Individuals visiting Joint Base Langley-Eustis will have a new procedure to follow starting Nov. 1, 2023. The 733d Security Forces Squadron on Ft. Eustis is implementing the Defense Biometric Identification System Visitor Enrollment System, or DVES, to streamline processes and reduce traffic at the Visitor Control Center.
“[DVES is] a virtual workaround for people to get a visitors pass versus coming to the visitor center to get one,” U.S. Army 1st Lt. Brett Leasure, 733d SFS assistant operations officer said.
Leasure said the journey to DVES started with a senior leader asking the 733d SFS to look into getting the process for the base after having a positive experience with it.
“During my research, I read in an article that Nellis Air Force Base was using DVES. So, I called my equivalent there and they told me how it the system works and how to set it up,” he said. “From there, I reached out to DBIS headquarters, got all the information from them, and we started setting it up ourselves.”
Although the U.S. Army has a different program that does the same thing, Leasure said his squadron saw DVES as a solution to better serve the community and improve current processes.
“The Army has a system where you can apply for a pass online, but because this is an Air Force led joint base, the DVES process is the closest program to that system that meets our current needs," he said.
DVES will lessen the impact on the flow of people visiting the Fort Eustis Visitor Control Center for daily access.
“With trusted traveler being suspended November [1], there would potentially be a line around the building,” Hector Perez, 733d SFS visitor center supervisor, said. “DVES will help us avoid this.”
Perez added while the system is being streamlined, the process of vetting people is remaining the same.
“We're still doing criminal history checks and registering people into DBIS. The only difference now is we're going to be emailing the passes to the sponsor rather than printing them off at the VCC and handing it to the person,” he said.
The introduction of this system impacts the JBLE community as Fort Eustis administers several thousand passes annually. According to Leasure, people will be able to have their pass on their phone instead of waiting in line at the VCC.
Here is how the program works:
The individual visiting will complete the DBIDS pre-enrollment process at https://dbids-global-enroll.dmdc.mil/preenrollui/#/landing-page .
The individual receives a QR code with an alpha numeric code.
The sponsor emails the VCC the pass request form their guest filled out, the code provided, along with a photo of person(s) state driver’s license front and back.
The VCC reviews background and criminal history for approval.
Once approved, the individual is registered into DBIDS.
A pass is created and placed into DBIDS.
The pass is emailed to the sponsor.
“Instead of coming in and giving your information and having a picture taken, you can fill out your information from home, and we will use your drivers license photo for the pass,” Leasure said. “We ask that the pass requested is submitted within 10 business days or arrival.”
If an individual submits a pass within a 10-day window, there is virtually no wait time for a visitors pass as opposed to an individual coming into the VCC.
“We cannot guarantee someone gets a pass in time if they submit a request within with less than 10 business days. If it is not submitted in time, they will have to go to the VCC and wait like normal,” Lesure said. You have to make sure you follow the directions too, because if you are missing information on it then you won’t be able to get a pass.”
The current wait time depends on the time and day according to Perez.
“Somedays, as long as you have your sponsor with you, you can walk right up to the VCC and get a pass quickly. Other days, the line is out the door and around the building. It just depends,” Perez said.
For more information about DVES and how to get a pass, call 757-878-1878 .