CAMP ROBINSON, Ark. (May 13, 2016) -- The Arkansas National Guard is implementing a new access requirements policy which will require background checks for civilians, visitors and sportsmen seeking to access the post effective Monday, May 16.
The new policy, RMTC-2015-10-13, is in response to several changes in the last year including Arkansas statutes dealing with possession of weapons in public areas and public facilities A.C.A. § 5-73-122 and §5-73-306, as well as active shooter incidents involving military personnel. This policy makes the access standards for Robinson Maneuver Training Center, which houses the headquarters for the Arkansas National Guard, similar to those in place at federal installations like Little Rock Air Force Base.
The new requirements will mean that all civilians, visitors and sportsmen seeking access to the post for official business, recreation and hunting on the military reservation property, will be subjected to a background check through the Arkansas Crime Information Center at the time they apply for a visitor pass at the front gate visitor center.
Col. Franklin Powell, post commander at Robinson Maneuver Training Center said, “This change in security policy conforms to state statutes, and provides for heightened security for the personnel and facilities here in response to incidents involving shootings of military personnel at military facilities by civilians during the last year.”
Powell says he understands that the new process may create a bottleneck at the visitor center initially, but once the process is in place and visitors understand to add a few minutes extra to their access time it will become mostly routine.
Lt. Col. Jeff Wood, staff judge advocate for the Arkansas National Guard said, “The ACIC background check provides the post commander with additional information regarding any criminal history an individual might have in order to determine if he or she presents a potential threat to personnel, facilities, good order and discipline or the health and safety on the post.”
A number of possible infractions found in a background check that would result in a person being turned away from the post.
Additionally, other infractions that might result in an individual being detained while local law enforcement are notified are: outstanding warrants, use of a fraudulent identification or any individual presenting under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The access requirements do not affect current military members, retirees and dependents with current, valid Department of Defense ID cards. And the policy does provide for long-term pass approvals for civilian contractors working projects on the post after an initial background check.
The full language of the policy and answers to Frequently Asked Questions are available here.
