Some partners opt to distance themselves from on-base events and facilities, aiming to maintain a clear separation between their personal lives and the world of Defence. This inclination is understandable, and even entirely justified. However, despite any reservations about direct involvement with Defence, a Defence Common Access Card (DCAC), aka base pass, can be a critical resource for partners to possess. The reason parters need a base pass, even if not frequently access base or utilize on-base facilities like the gym, is rooted in emergency preparedness. This readiness extends from being prepared for medical crises to rapid deployments, such as during natural disaster responses. When it comes to the ability to access the base during unforeseen medical situations, I can personally attest to the significance of the base pass.
We met when we were both in our home town, on leave. I was on semester break from university, and he was visiting family before deployment. Timing!
For the next three years, our relationship weathered the trials of long-distance separation. Sydney and Adelaide were our respective home, and duty frequently intervened, leaving us with little time together.
Finally, his long-awaited visit to my location was happening. Plans were made, flights were booked, and family were eagerly anticipating the meeting. Then, a text the day before his flight: “I think I broke my ankle and am on my way to the hospital. I’ll update you”.
The injury required a reconstructive surgery and an extensive rehabilitation process.
I called the airline, explained the situation and enquiring if I could change the ticket into my name and reverse the direction of the flight. By the time Jai confirmed the prognosis, I was replying with “I land at 6pm and Sam is going to pick me up the airport”.
After surgery, Jai was non weight bearing for a few months, then in a moon boot for months, before learning to walk again. Jai had said something about someone meeting us at the house of his friends who we were staying with post-surgery, for some kind of assessment. Both assessment times came and went without anyone showing up. So, while Jai was operated on, I was arranging a shower chair and wheelchair that we’d need.
With Jai unable to drive, and me being a new, unrecognised dependent in location, navigating each medical and rehab appointment required a meticulous orchestration of wheelchair logistics and pass office visits. It went like this: assist Jai from wheelchair to car, pop wheelchair in the boot, drive to base, life wheelchair out of the boot, assist Jai into it, sign on at the pass office, assist Jai back into the car, wheelchair back in the boot, drive onto the base, park at the health centre, where it was time to lift the wheelchair out of the boot again. After appointments, we’d stop again to return the pass at the pass office window.
It’s this journey of caring for a Veteran unable to drive, bear weight, and signing in at the base entrance without the convenience of a defence partner base access card, that highlights for me, even if partners don’t attend on-base at events or base facilities, a Defence base access card, can serve partners and their member well, especially in times of need.
Here’s a list of other various situations and times, outside on-base events or activities, a base access card was an invaluable resource for me:
- When I was rear ended in one car and needed to get our other one that was on base, so I could drive it;
- Dropping Jai off for trips rather than leaving a car on base, exposed to the weather (and at times, risk of break ins and theft (yes, on base));
- Picking Jai up from trips or boozer parades;
- When you get the call requesting you to drop something off that they forgot;
- Access to our bank, which was on the base;
- Attending the pre-deployment parade;
- Attending the unit’s dawn service; and
- Attending more medical appointments.