MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- To better protect and serve the Camp Pendleton community, base officials have announced plans to implement a new electronic program to monitor visitor traffic.
The Sponsored Visitor Program will simply replace paper visitor passes with an electronic database at Pendleton’s gates and is scheduled to take effect May 4.
“The new program will not only improve base safety and security, but will also decrease the amount of time visitors will spend at the gates,” said Mike Stefanyshyn, Pendleton’s Branch Access Control Manager. “Proper security keeps base residents safe and ultimately supports the Marine Corps’ mission.”
Visitors are required to state their identity, announce the base resident they plan to visit, present a valid driver license, proof of insurance and registration. Sentries will now scan in and out-of-state licenses to store visitor information in an electronic database as opposed to using logbooks to manually monitor traffic. The database will record the visitor’s name, license number, date, time, and location of entry. The new system will also authenticate the visitor’s license to prevent counterfeit or false identification and conduct an instant background check through open public sources.
“The new system will bring the base into the 21st century replacing folders with hard-to-access information,” Stefanyshyn added. “We will now have the capability to access this vital information more quickly.”
The SVP is designed for social visitors and designated volunteers only and not for visitors conducting business or employment on Pendleton. Individuals conducting business must apply for a Camp Pendleton business or RAPIDgate pass at Pendleton’s Branch Access Control Branch. Frequent visitors and official volunteers requiring access to the base more than three times in any 45-day period will be required to fill out a Sponsored Visitor Form.
“I think that the new program is great,” said Lance Cpl. Stephan M. McDowell, sentry at Camp Pendleton’s San Luis Rey gate. “The transition might be a little rough at first, but it will be worth the increased security and traffic improvement the new system will provide.”
The SVF form can be obtained and submitted at each of Pendleton’s gates as well as the Provost Marshal Office. Future plans include having an online version of the SVF available on the base’s official Web site. This sponsorship form allows authorized visitors entry for up to 90 days with recorded dates in the new electronic database. Upon expiration, a new SVF will be required to be submitted and approved.
“We have to keep our service members and their families safe,” said Frances A. Lowe, former military spouse and frequent base visitor. “I look forward to using the new system and have always welcomed the base’s attitude toward safety.”
Eligible sponsors include all active-duty personnel, active-duty family members stationed on Pendleton, retired service members, authorized reserve personnel and active-duty family members not stationed on Pendleton utilizing authorized base privileges.
“There is so much going on in the world and too much at stake for us to take a chance in base safety,” Lowe said.
Those visiting Camp Pendleton can access the base through the main, San Luis Rey, Las Pulgas and San Onofre gates only. Visitors will not be allowed through the Del Mar or Cristianitos gates and are prohibited to enter the base through Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Detachment Fallbrook.
For additional information and questions regarding base access, contact Camp Pendleton’s Branch Access Control Branch at (760) 725-0818.