MPF customer service to close for upgrades Published Sept. 22, 2008 SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Military Personnel Flight's Customer Service office will close Sept. 24-25 for a systems upgrade to provide increase security measures for personnel. The Real-Time Automated Personnel Identification System, or RAPIDS, is part of Homeland Security Presidential Direction 12, an initiative that is part of the Defense Departments continuation of enhancing security. The RAPIDS software upgrade requires installation of new equipment and training for customer service staff. Master Sgt. Maxine Abeyta, superintendent of Customer Support, said the upgrades will increase security measures for customers. In addition, she said that an increased wait time is also a factor in the updated system; however these are implemented to "protect our members." The software system upgrades are being implemented Department of Defense wide, she said. Certain bases, such as Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., already have the updated system, noticeable with a DOD watermark on the Common Access Card. A new security measures requires customers to provide additional documentation before obtaining an ID card. Beginning Sept. 26, customers will be required to provide two forms of identification beginning that will be scanned and saved in the DEERS system. Current CACs will not be affected by the change and users should continue using their cards as they have up to this change. Capt. Eric Belcher, MPF commander, said the upgrades are part of his and the MPF's commitment to protecting their customers and the DOD as a whole. "This upgrade will enhance our ability to (protect our customers) by assuring ID cards are only issued to those entitled to them," he said. The captain said the closure will cause some inconveniences, but "it is a small price to pay for the enhanced security and protection."