The new ID card policy is just one of several new force protection measures designed to increase security on the Naval Academy grounds and to align the Academy’s anti-terrorism and force protection programs with Fleet standards.

According to an email sent by Deputy Commandant Capt. John O’Neill, the first step to increasing security is being able to identify who is supposed to be where.

‘‘Bancroft Hall is a restricted area open to authorized personnel only. All we are trying to do is ensure the personnel in Bancroft are authorized,” O’Neill explained. ‘‘If they are – and the vast majority will be – then they will have no problem producing proper identification or explaining the purpose of their presence.”

The new ID card policy states that the ID card will be displayed in a clear plastic sleeve affixed by an alligator clip. While most Midshipmen were issued the ID holders last spring, those who need one can purchase them at the Mid Store for less than a dollar. Naval Academy leadership ordered 3,000 additional ID holders in advance to ensure the supply would be available to meet the need.

Recent tragedies at Northern Illinois University and Virginia Tech also lead to the creation of a new ‘‘mass notification” program at the Academy. This is part of a layered approach to emergency response, and would allow leadership the opportunity to communicate with necessary personnel via text messaging, should the need arise.

Cmdr. Morgan Jones, the Staff Anti-Terrorism⁄Force Protection Officer, explained that learning new habits can be inconvenient in the beginning, but will pay off in the long run.

‘‘Force Protection is everyone’s business,” Jones said. ‘‘It will take everyone cooperating and doing their part to make these measures effective in deterring any threat directed at the Brigade, Bancroft Hall or the Academy in general.”

To further control access to Bancroft Hall, many doors are now set at ‘‘exit only.” Signs are posted throughout Bancroft Hall to appropriately identify which doors will allow entry.

Finally, as with any security measures throughout the Fleet, the success of these policies depends on vigilance and situational awareness.

‘‘Challenging individuals without visible identification is not rude, it is just business and you can be polite,” said O’Neill. ‘‘Do your part. Assume nothing. Report any suspicious activity to your Officer or Senior Enlisted chain of command, the Main Office Watch, or any of the Anti-Terrorism⁄Force Protection personnel.”