thedrifter
08-22-07, 09:37 AM
Tougher enforcement awaits at the gates
JENNIFER HLAD
DAILY NEWS STAFF
The requirements for getting a pass to go aboard Camp Lejeune have not changed, but a recent increase in enforcement has left many civilians confused about when and how they can visit the base.
The uptick in enforcement is not designed to discourage visitors, but rather to keep security tight, said 1st Lt. Craig Thomas, a spokesman for Camp Lejeune.
"All citizens who have business to conduct aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune are welcome," he said. "The emphasis on strengthening security is to keep positive control of who comes on base, in order to keep our service members, their families and our military aspects safe."
Base orders require all civilians to have a military sponsor, Thomas said, but the sponsor does not have to be an active-duty service member. Family members of active-duty members, retired military and civil service employees may all serve as sponsors, he said, and sponsors may notify the visitors' center before a guest arrives to speed up the pass process.
"The current threat level dictates the security measures that are implemented on the base," Thomas said. "These measures are in place to maintain the highest level of safety and the base retains the right at any moment to refuse base access to anyone."
Because the recent increase in enforcement at the front gate has caused some confusion, Thomas answered a number of questions posed by Daily News readers and others in the community.
Q: Will civilians be allowed to use the walking and biking trails that will be connected to the off-base trail system and the newly built pedestrian bridge?
A: "Civilians will be allowed to use the trails on the perimeter of the base up to the visitors' center at the main gate. A sponsor is required for any non-affiliated personnel to access the base."
Q: Will the public still be able to use the golf courses on base?
A: "Golfers may still use the golf course. Verbal declaration of intent to go to the golf course must be made at the visitors' center. No sponsor is required, but guests must still obtain an appropriate vehicle day pass."
Q: Will parents and fans of opposing teams be able to attend sporting events at Lejeune High School?
A: "Sports attendees will be allowed the same privileges as golfers; that is, make a verbal declaration that you're attending X game/competition, have no military sponsor and get a one-day pass."
Q: Will people hoping to take the self-guided tours need a military sponsor to get a pass?
A: "Tourists may still take the self-guided tour. Verbal declaration of intent to conduct the self-guided tour is required at the visitors' center. No sponsor is required, but guests must still obtain an appropriate vehicle day pass."
Q: Will people with base boat permits be allowed to come on base without a military sponsor or additional pass?
A: "Yes. Personnel who currently have boat passes may use the facilities until the pass expires, as long as they have a boat in tow. No sponsor is needed. The base is not currently issuing any more boat passes. People may use local launch sites in Jacksonville, Sneads Ferry and Emerald Isle."
Q: How will civilians attending events at the Officer's Club, such as weddings or parties, gain access to base?
A: "Special events rate special event passes. The host should contact Robert Ceklosky of Installation Safety and Security at 451-0146 to gain information on these passes. He requires at least 10 business days to process and issue the passes."
Q: Will dependents who live on base be able to serve as a military sponsor?
A: "Anyone with a valid DoD identification card may sponsor personnel on base."
Q: Do civilians attending events such as the Sand Jam and Fourth of July celebration need a special pass to attend?
A: "If the base commanding officer chooses to open the base to the public, a pass and sponsor are not required."
Q: If a military member is not able to physically come to the front gate, what is the process they must take to sponsor a visitor?
A: "The sponsor must notify the visitors' center."
Q: Are there other special situations you have anticipated that would have different requirements than a regular pass?
A: "Yes. Special situations will be handled on a case-by-case basis."
For more information about the policy, call the main gate visitors' center at 451-2197. Contact military reporter Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com or 353-1171, ext. 8449. To comment on this story, visit www.jdnews.com.
Ellie
JENNIFER HLAD
DAILY NEWS STAFF
The requirements for getting a pass to go aboard Camp Lejeune have not changed, but a recent increase in enforcement has left many civilians confused about when and how they can visit the base.
The uptick in enforcement is not designed to discourage visitors, but rather to keep security tight, said 1st Lt. Craig Thomas, a spokesman for Camp Lejeune.
"All citizens who have business to conduct aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune are welcome," he said. "The emphasis on strengthening security is to keep positive control of who comes on base, in order to keep our service members, their families and our military aspects safe."
Base orders require all civilians to have a military sponsor, Thomas said, but the sponsor does not have to be an active-duty service member. Family members of active-duty members, retired military and civil service employees may all serve as sponsors, he said, and sponsors may notify the visitors' center before a guest arrives to speed up the pass process.
"The current threat level dictates the security measures that are implemented on the base," Thomas said. "These measures are in place to maintain the highest level of safety and the base retains the right at any moment to refuse base access to anyone."
Because the recent increase in enforcement at the front gate has caused some confusion, Thomas answered a number of questions posed by Daily News readers and others in the community.
Q: Will civilians be allowed to use the walking and biking trails that will be connected to the off-base trail system and the newly built pedestrian bridge?
A: "Civilians will be allowed to use the trails on the perimeter of the base up to the visitors' center at the main gate. A sponsor is required for any non-affiliated personnel to access the base."
Q: Will the public still be able to use the golf courses on base?
A: "Golfers may still use the golf course. Verbal declaration of intent to go to the golf course must be made at the visitors' center. No sponsor is required, but guests must still obtain an appropriate vehicle day pass."
Q: Will parents and fans of opposing teams be able to attend sporting events at Lejeune High School?
A: "Sports attendees will be allowed the same privileges as golfers; that is, make a verbal declaration that you're attending X game/competition, have no military sponsor and get a one-day pass."
Q: Will people hoping to take the self-guided tours need a military sponsor to get a pass?
A: "Tourists may still take the self-guided tour. Verbal declaration of intent to conduct the self-guided tour is required at the visitors' center. No sponsor is required, but guests must still obtain an appropriate vehicle day pass."
Q: Will people with base boat permits be allowed to come on base without a military sponsor or additional pass?
A: "Yes. Personnel who currently have boat passes may use the facilities until the pass expires, as long as they have a boat in tow. No sponsor is needed. The base is not currently issuing any more boat passes. People may use local launch sites in Jacksonville, Sneads Ferry and Emerald Isle."
Q: How will civilians attending events at the Officer's Club, such as weddings or parties, gain access to base?
A: "Special events rate special event passes. The host should contact Robert Ceklosky of Installation Safety and Security at 451-0146 to gain information on these passes. He requires at least 10 business days to process and issue the passes."
Q: Will dependents who live on base be able to serve as a military sponsor?
A: "Anyone with a valid DoD identification card may sponsor personnel on base."
Q: Do civilians attending events such as the Sand Jam and Fourth of July celebration need a special pass to attend?
A: "If the base commanding officer chooses to open the base to the public, a pass and sponsor are not required."
Q: If a military member is not able to physically come to the front gate, what is the process they must take to sponsor a visitor?
A: "The sponsor must notify the visitors' center."
Q: Are there other special situations you have anticipated that would have different requirements than a regular pass?
A: "Yes. Special situations will be handled on a case-by-case basis."
For more information about the policy, call the main gate visitors' center at 451-2197. Contact military reporter Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com or 353-1171, ext. 8449. To comment on this story, visit www.jdnews.com.
Ellie