This reflection paper examines the serious consequences of failing to secure a Common Access Card (CAC) in a military medical setting. Written by an Army Medic who twice left their CAC in a card reader, the paper explores the security risks that arise from an unsecured smart card — including unauthorized system access and identity theft — and connects those risks to broader principles of military duty, honor, and accountability. The author acknowledges relevant policies, confronts self-rationalizing thinking, and commits to accepting appropriate disciplinary consequences as a demonstration of personal and professional responsibility.
Whenever something negative occurs — especially something with potentially serious consequences — the first instance can reasonably be called an accident, a simple mistake. When the same event happens a second time, however, a pattern has formed, and fault must be assigned to the person who committed the same error twice. The reason the second occurrence cannot be overlooked is precisely because it demonstrates that no lesson was learned the first time. Consequently, a punishment or penalty commensurate with the infraction becomes appropriate, so that the person responsible finally recognizes the wrongness of the behavior.
Without any sanction, a person may repeat the same mistake until it becomes not merely a trend but a deeply ingrained bad habit — one that causes harm not only to that individual but to colleagues, the people they serve, and the organization as a whole. In my case, the fault I committed twice was leaving my military identification card in one of the Common Access Card (CAC) readers in the clinic to which I am assigned.
The CAC is the standard identification card used in the military and issued to all personnel who conduct business with the United States Department of Defense. It is a smart card that contains vital information — name, service number, and other identifying data — belonging to the individual to whom it is assigned. Beyond serving as a form of identification, the CAC provides access to the military's information systems, with the level of access determined by the nature of the individual's duties.
As an Army Medic, I use military information systems to manage patient information, schedule and track appointments, complete online training, and carry out a wide range of tasks essential to my military occupational specialty. The importance of keeping this card secure therefore cannot be overstated. I have completed intensive training and received thorough briefings on the critical need to protect the card against theft, misuse, loss, and other forms of compromise. I have been made fully aware of the policies, guidelines, regulations, and statutes governing the use of the CAC, and I have signed documents attesting to my understanding of and agreement to follow those rules. Leaving my identification card in a card reader was, accordingly, a direct violation of the legal documents I signed and the obligations I accepted.
"Theft, identity fraud, and DoD system exposure"
"Author confronts flawed two-factor authentication logic"
"Accepting punishment as an act of military honor"
You’re 36% through this paper. Sign up to read the remaining 3 sections.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.