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Camp Dawson

Visitor & Access Information

For the safety and security of everyone on site, different categories of authorized personnel—such as Military, Veteran, Federal Employee—have specific entry requirements. Before your visit, please take a moment to review the information relevant to your category. Understanding what’s needed ahead of time helps ensure a smooth entry process and avoids delays at the gate.

Personnel who have not followed the required process will not be permitted on post.

ATTENTION:  Per orders from the West Virginia Adjutant General, the Trusted Traveler Program at Camp Dawson is temporarily suspended through April 5, 2026.

During this time, individuals entering Camp Dawson must have one of the following:

• A valid Department of Defense (DoD) identification card
• A Camp Dawson Event Center-issued or AIE Access badge
• Approval through the Camp Dawson Visitor Control Program (VCP)

Guests who do not possess DoD identification must be vetted through the Visitor Control Program prior to arriving at Camp Dawson.

Please note the following important details:

• Vetting can only be completed Monday–Friday between 7:00 AM and 3:00 PM
• Guests of Authorized Users or civilians training at Camp Dawson may enter only after vetting has been completed and a security notice has been issued
• The preferred timeframe for submitting your vetting form is at least 10 days prior to your anticipated arrival

If you require vetting, please submit your information as soon as possible to avoid delays with base access.

If you are a non-official or non-military guest and have any questions or need assistance with the vetting process, please contact the Camp Dawson Event Center team at 304.791.7002 or at billeting@cdec.org and we will be happy to help.  If you are an official user and your training event was scheduled through Camp Dawson Operations, please contact them directly at 304.791.4181/4183.

Thank you for your cooperation, and we look forward to hosting you.

Visitor Access Requirements by Category

Click on your Authorized User Category Below

  • Security Notice:
    A Security Notice is a list of those authorized to access Camp Dawson. It is also used by the VCC Operations Director as a checklist when ensuring personnel are vetted.

    • If coming to Camp Dawson for a training event, the person in charge of scheduling the event will coordinate and provide names for the Security Notice through Camp Dawson Operations.
    • If coming for lodging only, the Front Desk Agent with whom you make your reservation with will gather names for the Security Notice.
  • Vetting:
    Vetting is the process of investigating the background of an individual to ensure the safety of those working and training at Camp Dawson.
    Vetting hours are currently Monday through Friday, 7am – 2pm. Personnel who have not been vetted and approved, and arrive outside of vetting hours, will not be permitted access. The key to successful and easy access to Camp Dawson is undergo the vetting process in advance of your arrival.

    • If you are attending as part of a group, your group point of contact will send you the vetting link.
    • If you are lodging with CDEC and are not part of a conference or training exercise, a Front Desk Agent will send you the lodging link after making your reservation.
    • Even if you do not require vetting, remember, your guests may!
  • REAL ID:
    Effective 7 May 2025, a REAL ID will be required to access many federal facilities. If you are required to show your REAL ID (a driver’s license designated with a yellow star in the upper right hand corner) and do not have one, there are several alternative IDs that you can use:

    • U.S. Passport
    • U.S. Passport Card
    • U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
    • Permanent Resident Card
    • Foreign Government-Issued Passport
    • Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
    • Birth Certificate with raised seal AND a Social Security Card (If names do not match, you must also provide a certified document showing name change, i.e. marriage certificate, divorce decree)
  • Lodging Rates:
    Lodging Rates at Camp Dawson are determined each fiscal year by a Board of Directors appointed by the Adjutant General. There are three rates for each room type. Your status determines the rate you are assigned.

    • Official Rate: This rate is assigned to Soldiers and WV Military Authority Employees when on orders or here for an official training event.
    • Non-Official Rate: This rate is assigned to Soldiers and WV Military Authority employees here for non training purposes, i.e. vacation, football game, etc. It is also the rate assigned to all Military Retiree’s.
    • Non-Military Rate: This rate is assigned to authorized civilians here for a training event.
  • Guests:
    If you are authorized guests, those staying in separate rooms from you will be charged the non-military rate, regardless of the primary guest’s status as official or non-official. In the case of a large number of guests related to an event (i.e. picnic, reunion, wedding, etc., the primary guest will be directed to Camp Dawson Operations prior to being able to lock in lodging)

ID Card Required at Gate:
DoD Common Access Card

Is a Security Notice Required:
No

Is Vetting Required:
No

Is REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification required:
No

Authorized Lodging Rate:
Official or Non-Official

Are Guests Authorized?
Yes

ID Card Required at Gate:
DoD Uniformed Services ID Card

Is a Security Notice Required:
Only for Guests

Is Vetting Required:
No

Is REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification required:
No

Authorized Lodging Rate:
Non-Official

Are Guests Authorized?
Yes

ID Card Required at Gate:
DoD Uniformed Services ID Card

Is a Security Notice Required:
Only for Guests

Is Vetting Required:
No

Is REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification required:
No

Authorized Lodging Rate:
Non-Official

Are Guests Authorized?
Yes

ID Card Required at Gate:
DoD Common Access Card

Is a Security Notice Required:
Only for Guests

Is Vetting Required:
No

Is REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification required:
No

Authorized Lodging Rate:
Non-Military

Are Guests Authorized?
Yes

ID Card Required at Gate:
1. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID Card showing that Veteran is “Service Connected”
2. A Veteran’s ID Card (VIC)
3. A Driver’s License showing Veteran Designation

Is a Security Notice Required:
Only for Guests

Is Vetting Required:
Yes

Is REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification required:
Yes

Authorized Lodging Rate:
Official or Non-Official

Are Guests Authorized?
Yes

ID Card Required at Gate:
Some WVMA Employees MAY have identification verifying employment status
If none, Driver’s License or Valid Photo ID and work through Lodging or Operations to produce a Security Notice

Is a Security Notice Required:
If using Driver’s License for access, security notice is required for both primary and guest

Is Vetting Required:
Yes

Is REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification required:
Yes

Authorized Lodging Rate:
Official or Non-Official

Are Guests Authorized?
Yes

ID Card Required at Gate:
Some Federal, State and Local Agencies have IDs showing proof of employment
If none, Driver’s License or Valid Photo ID

Is a Security Notice Required:
If using Driver’s License for access, security notice is required for both primary and guest

Is Vetting Required:
Yes

Is REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification required:
Yes

Authorized Lodging Rate:
Non-Military

Are Guests Authorized?
Yes

ID Card Required at Gate:
Some Federal, State and Local Agencies have IDs showing proof of employment
If none, Driver’s License or Valid Photo ID

Is a Security Notice Required:
If using Driver’s License for access, security notice is required for both primary and guest

Is Vetting Required:
Yes

Is REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification required:
Yes

Authorized Lodging Rate:
Non-Military

Are Guests Authorized?
Yes

ID Card Required at Gate:
Some Federal, State and Local Agencies have IDs showing proof of employment
If none, Driver’s License or Valid Photo ID

Is a Security Notice Required:
If using Driver’s License for access, security notice is required for both primary and guest

Is Vetting Required:
Yes

Is REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification required:
Yes

Authorized Lodging Rate:
Non-Military

Are Guests Authorized?
Yes

ID Card Required at Gate:
Driver’s License or Valid Photo ID

Is a Security Notice Required:
Yes

Is Vetting Required:
Yes

Is REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification required:
Yes

Authorized Lodging Rate:
Non-Military

Are Guests Authorized?
No

ID Card Required at Gate:
AIE (Automated Installation Entry) Survivor Access Card

Is a Security Notice Required:
Required for both primary and guest

Is Vetting Required:
Yes

Is REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification required:
Yes

Authorized Lodging Rate:
Non-Military

Are Guests Authorized?
Yes

ID Card Required at Gate:
Driver’s License or Valid Photo ID

Is a Security Notice Required:
Yes

Is Vetting Required:
Yes

Is REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification required:
Yes

Authorized Lodging Rate:
Lodging for this category is not permitted with the exception of very limited situations that are approved by the Post Commander.

Are Guests Authorized?
No

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