Department of the Army Submits Automated Installation Entry System Information Collection for OMB Review

The Department of the Army published a notice in the Federal Register on November 4, 2026, announcing its submission of a revised information collection proposal to the Office of Management and Budget. The submission falls under the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act. The proposal focuses on the Automated Installation Entry System, an essential security apparatus used across military installations to vet visitors, contractors, service members, and civilian employees.

Background and Scope of the Information Collection

The Automated Installation Entry System functions as the primary technological framework for managing physical access to Army bases. The system collects personally identifiable data from individuals who request entry. Data collection occurs through multiple channels, including online visitor registration portals, physical Visitor Control Centers, self-service kiosks, and direct interactions with authorized personnel at access-control points.

The scope of the collection covers significant numbers of individuals. According to the notice, in-person registration involves approximately 1,016,570 respondents annually. Online registration accounts for another 516,226 respondents. Each response requires an estimated average burden time of two minutes, leading to a total annual burden of 51,094 hours across more than 1.5 million total responses.

Security and Vetting Mechanisms

The information gathered through the system includes contact details, data derived from valid identity credentials, and biometric information when required for identity proofing. The Department of the Army utilizes this data to verify individual identities, authenticate credentials, and conduct comprehensive vetting against authorized government data sources and access-denial lists. These procedures allow base commanders to determine fitness for installation access and issue local access credentials or visitor passes.

From a policy perspective, the collection serves to protect personnel, facilities, and equipment from potential security threats. The maintenance of local access-control records ensures accountability and enforces rigorous physical-security procedures mandated by the Department of Defense.

Public Comment Process and Next Steps

As part of the clearance process under the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Department of the Army is soliciting public comments on the proposed information collection. Interested stakeholders, including legal professionals, advocacy groups, and affected citizens, have until December 4, 2026, to submit written comments and recommendations through the designated federal portal. Following the conclusion of the comment period, the Office of Management and Budget will review the submission to determine whether to approve the revision.