Whether you are automatically enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) depends on your military status.
If you are an active duty service member or a retired service member, you are automatically registered in DEERS. This automatic registration ensures your personal eligibility for military benefits is established.
However, it is crucial to note that while service members themselves are automatically included, they must take action to register their eligible family members and ensure all their information is correctly entered into the DEERS database. Family members are not automatically enrolled and require sponsorship and proper documentation to be added.
What is DEERS and Why Is It Important?
DEERS is a critical database maintained by the U.S. Department of Defense. It identifies and authenticates individuals who are eligible for military benefits and entitlements, including healthcare, ID cards, and other privileges. Accurate DEERS registration is the gateway to accessing these services.
Proper DEERS registration is essential for:
- TRICARE Enrollment: Eligibility for military healthcare plans.
- Military ID Cards: Obtaining official identification necessary for base access, medical appointments, and other services.
- Benefit Access: Unlocking access to commissaries, exchanges, and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) facilities.
- Dependent Benefits: Enabling spouses, children, and other eligible dependents to receive their rightful entitlements.
DEERS Enrollment Scenarios
To clarify who is automatically enrolled and who needs to be registered, consider the following:
| Category | Automatic Enrollment for Self? | Action Required for Service Member (for Self) | Action Required for Family Members |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Duty Service Member | Yes | None | Yes, to register dependents |
| Retired Service Member | Yes | None | Yes, to register dependents |
| Family Member/Dependent | No | Not Applicable | Yes, sponsor must register them |
How to Register Family Members or Update Your Information
For service members, while your own enrollment is automatic, managing your family's DEERS records is an ongoing responsibility. To ensure your family members are properly registered or to update your information, you will typically need to:
- Gather Required Documents: Collect original or certified copies of crucial documents such as marriage certificates, birth certificates, adoption decrees, and Social Security cards for each family member.
- Visit a RAPIDS ID Card Office: Schedule an appointment at a Real-Time Automated Personnel Identification System (RAPIDS) ID card office. You can find locations and schedule appointments through the RAPIDS Appointment Scheduler.
- Utilize milConnect: The milConnect portal is a valuable online resource for reviewing your DEERS information, making certain updates, and managing various military benefits. While initial family member registration often requires an in-person visit, milConnect allows you to keep track of your and your family's data.
Regularly reviewing your DEERS record and updating it promptly after life events—such as marriage, birth, divorce, or changes in student status for dependents—is crucial to prevent any interruptions in benefit access.
