3.5c Entry and Exit Procedures

You must follow established entry and exit procedures at all times. During normal entry and exit, only the EC, MTI, or supervisory personnel may open or close the door. The only exception is during a drill or an actual emergency (e.g., fire, gas or bomb threat [actual or drill]), when anyone may open and close the door. The Authority to Enter Dormitory Board provides step-by-step procedures for allowing entry into the dormitory (image below). When completing the steps:

  • Verbally ask, “SIR/MA’AM, MAY I HELP YOU?”
  • You may answer any question WITHOUT opening the door
  • If the individual requests entry, verbally ask, “MAY I SEE YOUR AUTHORITY TO ENTER?”
  • Accomplish remaining steps in order (YOU DO NOT NEED TO READ ALOUD)
  • Review Special Instructions PRIOR to opening the door and make appropriate announcements as needed
  • DO NOT memorize the steps; use the posted Authority to Enter Dormitory Board visual aid

Authority to Enter

During 1through 4 WOT, you must verify all authority to enter the dormitory. The United States Government Common Access Card (CAC) and Entry Authority List (EAL) are used to verify authority.

  • The CAC is a military identification (ID) card issued to active duty, civil service employees, and contractors
  • The EAL is a list of personnel authorized entry into the dormitory; in BMT you will use a flight roster and the posted instructor listing for MTIs and staff

**IMPORTANT**: The CAC is the ONLY ID valid for entry; all other IDs are unacceptable

Verifying Authority to Enter

Compare the picture on the CAC to the individual requesting entry. The picture should reasonably resemble the person. If the name on the CAC matches the name on the posted Instructor EAL, the individual is authorized to enter.

  • If authorized entry, one individual (MTI, permanent party personnel, or trainee) may escort an entire group or flight
  • It is not necessary to ask if they vouch for their companions
  • It is assumed if they are authorized, their companions are also authorized
  • Prior to trainees being issued a CAC, if the name and roster number verbally provided BOTH match the EAL, they are authorized to enter (trainees are not required to display an AETC Form 341)
  • After trainees are issued a CAC, they must use it for authority to enter; unless personal recognition is used

If the name does not match the EAL, DO NOT allow entry.

  • If there is an MTI or supervisory personnel in the dormitory, inform the individual at the door that you must refer them to the MTI or supervisory personnel
  • If an MTI or supervisory personnel are not in the dormitory, inform the individual at the door that you must refer them to CQ
  • When referring to CQ, you can direct them to the CQ area or use the intercom to notify CQ of the situation

Personal Recognition

Beginning in the 5 WOT, a flight MTI will authorize the EC to use personal recognition to allow entry into the dormitory, without any additional steps, for all personnel listed on the Instructor EAL. If the EC recognizes the individual requesting entry, open the door and allow entry without checking the individual’s ID.

ECs will begin using personal recognition for their flight members as soon as they recognize them. The DO NOT have to wait until the 5 WOT. This is only authorized when the EC is in their assigned dormitory, with members of their own flight; otherwise the flight EAL will be used.

Opposite gender and officer procedures and announcements will be used during personal recognition.

Opposite Gender Procedures

If the individual requesting entry is of the opposite gender, take the following actions BEFORE allowing entry:

  • If they are authorized entry, after verifying the flight is dressed, make appropriate opposite gender announcement
  • BEFORE opening the door, loudly shout, “LADY/GENTLEMAN ENTERING THE DORMITORY!”
  • The trainees inside the dormitory will echo the same statement
  • The second EC will echo the statement in the latrine and stand by the latrine door to ensure no trainee exits without being fully dressed
  • When the last opposite gender individual exits the dormitory, loudly shout, “LADY/GENTLEMAN LEAVING THE DORMITORY!”
  • The trainees inside dormitory will echo the same statement
  • DO NOT make an announcement if another opposite gender individual is already in the dormitory during entry; or if there is an opposite gender individual still in the dormitory during exit
  • If the EC fails to make either announcement for any reason, any trainee may make the announcement upon noticing entry or exit

Officer Procedures

If an officer is requesting entry into the dormitory, take these actions:

  • If entry is authorized, complete any required opposite gender procedures and announcement BEFORE opening the door
  • As the officer enters through the doorway, give the command, “DORMITORY ATTTENTION!”
  • The officer will generally respond by giving the command, “CARRY ON”
  • The EC will echo, “CARRY ON”
  • DO NOT call the dormitory to attention in the following situations:
  1. If classes are in session inside dormitory (including evening briefings)
  2. If the trainees are asleep or it is after lights out
  3. If an officer of equal or higher rank is already in the dormitory
  • If there is no officer of equal or higher rank still in the dormitory when the officer exits, as the officer passes through the doorway, give the command, “DORMITORY ATTENTION!”, and make any required gender announcement
  • If the officer responds with the command, “CARRY ON,” the EC will echo the command
  • If the officer does not respond, the EC will give the command, “CARRY ON,” after the officer exits the dormitory
  • If the EC fails to give the required commands for any reason, any trainee may give them upon noticing entry or exit

Personnel With a Key

You may assume that any personnel using a key has the authority to enter the dormitory. However, DO NOT open the door because they show you a key through the window. If an individual uses a key for entry, make all appropriate announcements (e.g., opposite gender and/or officer procedures) and annotate the entry in the EC Log.

Emergency Personnel

During an actual emergency, allow any emergency personnel into the dormitory without verifying authority to enter, including MTIs. Brief the next EC on any emergency situations still existing at shift change.

Unauthorized Entry

An unauthorized entry occurs when an individual enters without appropriate authority.

When an MTI or supervisory personnel are in the dormitory, notify them if an individual attempts to gain entry or actually gains entry without authorization

When there is no MTI or supervisory personnel in the dormitory:

  • An individual ATTEMPTS to gain entry without authority and fails, use the intercom to notify CQ, record the incident in the EC Log (include the date, time, and description of the individual) and report it to the MTI upon return
  • An individual ACTUALLY gains entry without authority while other trainees are in the dormitory, send a runner with a wingman to CQ through an alternate exit
  1. DO NOT physically confront the individual or attempt to block their entrance by standing in front of them
  2. If the individual has a weapon or is physically threatening, evacuate EVERYONE through an alternate exit away from the individual and report to the CQ
  • If the ECs are the only individuals in the dormitory, and an individual ACTUALLY gains entry without authority, evacuate through an alternate exit and report to the CQ

If anyone unauthorized attempts to gain entry after lights out or before first call, use the intercom to notify the CQ

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