Design
The CAC is a smart card, containing several different technologies in a pocket-sized plastic card. There are two sides of the card that contain information about the owner. The description that follows is of the most current CAC standard.
On the front of the card, the background shows the phrase "U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE" repeated across the card. A color photo of the owner is placed on the top left corner. Below the photo is the name of the owner. The top right corner displays the expiration date. Other information on the front include (if applicable) the owner's pay grade, rank and federal identifier. A PDF417 stacked two-dimensional barcode is displayed on the bottom left corner. And, an integrated circuit chip (ICC) is placed near the bottom-middle of the card.
There are three color code schemes used on the front of the CAC. A blue bar across the owner's name shows that the owner is a non-U.S. citizen. A green bar shows that the owner is a contractor. No bar is for all other personnel - including military personnel and civil workers, among others.
The back of the card has a ghost image of the owner. And if applicable, the card also contains the date of birth, blood type, DoD benefits number, Geneva Convention category, and DoD identification number (also used as the Geneva Convention's number.) A Code 39 linear barcode, as well as a magnetic strip is placed on the top and bottom of the card. Below the bar code is the EDIPI number. The EDIPI number stays with the owner throughout his career with the DoD - even when he changes armed services or other departments within the DoD.
The front of the CAC is fully laminated, while the back is only laminated in the lower half (to avoid interference with the magnetic stripe).
The CAC is said to be resistant to identity fraud, tampering, counterfeiting, and exploitation and provides an electronic means of rapid authentication.
There are currently four different variants of CACs. The Geneva Conventions Identification Card is the most common CAC and is given to active duty/reserve armed forces and uniformed service members. The Geneva Convention Accompany Forces Card is issued to emergency-essential civilian personnel. The ID and Privilege Common Access Card is for civilians residing on military installations. The ID card is for DOD/Government Agency identification for civilian employees.
Read more about this topic: Common Access Card
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