As you may have heard we are issuing new parking passes and base IDs. In an alternate universe people might be happy with this announcement. However, in this universe no one has yet to thank me for the opportunity to find your proof of insurance, your registration, take down the number of your present sticker and then stand in line for an indeterminate amount of time to get an older picture on your ID and a new parking sticker. Instead, while no one has come out and said it, I get the distinct impression people consider this a pain. Which leads to the question of why, with all that is going on at NSA Bethesda, we are asking you to do this?
There are two reasons, and the first is most important. It is something that we often take for granted, but shouldn’t and that is security. This is not an easy place to maintain security. While we are not an open campus, we do have patients and their families and friends who need access to our base and tenant commands on this base. For the smaller commands, it is easy to identify someone who does not belong. However, for the larger commands, particularly the hospital and the university, up to date installation IDs are one way to help maintain security. I cannot emphasize enough that security is everyone’s business. When bad things happened, invariably there were breaches in procedure and process; people just assumed it wouldn’t happen ‘‘here.” One of our fundamental processes is identification badges, and politely challenging individuals who are not wearing them in restricted areas. The new badges will make this easier to do.
The second reason is parking. It does not take a rocket scientist to realize that parking is at a premium on this campus. While the majority park in their assigned areas, there are a few who choose not to play by the rules. In the past, it could be difficult to identify these individuals because parking stickers were issued by several commands on the installation. We will now have a single data base which will make it a relatively simple matter to determine when someone has taken liberties with their parking location. This is not so that we can give out more parking tickets. It is so that we can most efficiently use the spaces we have for everyone’s good; and yes, it will improve our security. So, if you get frustrated standing in line to get your stickers, don’t take it out on the person at the desk. They are trying to make your life safer, and in my opinion, that’s worth the hassle.
Commanding Officer
NSA Bethesda sends,
Captain Michael Malanoski
Medical Corps, U.S. Navy
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