Any enterprising reporters out there? This one's a freebie.
Someone just posted this in the comments. While I don't like to post something that isn't confirmed, this person sounds awfully authoritative. Considering the seriousness of what they're alleging, and the fact that the seem to have some pretty detailed information, I'm going to post this in the hopes that someone can do some sleuthing and find out if this is true.
Retiree's of the armed forces carry military "identification and privilege" cards (so they can get through military base security and shop at the post exchange, etc.). This ID card is known as a Department of Defense Form 2765 (yeah, it's a card but it called a "form"). Anyone could use the Soc. Sec. #, Date of Birth, etc. to fraudulently obtain a military identification card (one issed to retirees) and then gain access to any military installation (and, if som desired, commit espionage or sabotage).
I am intrigued that the mainstream media hasn't caught on that the loss of this veteran data isn't just a risk to a veteran's credit rating and personal privacy. This is also a national security risk because it makes it possible for a person to fraudulently obtain a military ID card and gain inappropriate access to any military installation.
If you go for replacement card and you give the information that matches what is in the DEERS data system (e.g., name, rank, social sec number, date of birth) they will reissue a military ID card (some of the installations that issue ID cards (like the Naval Reserve detachment in Nashville which I found to be very lax) are somewhat loose about ID verification as long as you give them the correct information that matches what is in the DEERS personnel computer files.
There is a reason that most military installations have fences and armed military police guarding the base gates.
This loss of veteran data really compromises the security of all military installations (including U.S. military installations overseas (for example, a veteran can go shopping at a U.S. military base in Italy as long as they have the military ID card).
Also, I don't like the idea that someone could use my personal information in my military records and commit credit fraud and identity theft (e.g., using my identity if they get arrested resulting in me getting a criminal record). Also, many veterans had security clearances. I think the VA Sec. Nichols should resign. I can not emphasize how serious a threat it is to our national security that this personnel data was stolen.
