Congressman Wied Sends Letter Urging the Reopening of DEERS/RAPIDS Facility in Green Bay

DE PERE - Congressman Tony Wied (WI-08) sent a letter to Acting Director of the Defense Manpower Data Center Katie Griffin urging the reopening of the DEERS/RAPIDS processing facility in Green Bay to allow active-duty servicemen, reservists, veterans, and their beneficiaries to access military bases and important benefits at VA hospitals and clinics.

"Our active-duty servicemen and veterans risked everything for our country, and they and their families should not have to jump through unnecessary hoops to access their benefits," said Congressman Wied. "With the closure of the Appleton facility looking increasingly likely, members of the military, veterans, and their beneficiaries in Northeast Wisconsin will face travel times upwards of three hours to the nearest DEERS/RAPIDS processing facility. This will lead to longer wait times and could hinder eligible veterans and beneficiaries from receiving their IDs in a timely manner."

Currently, the closest facility is located in Appleton, Wisconsin and is staffed by a member of the Wisconsin National Guard. However, that guardsman is on temporary orders and is set to be reassigned. Without a sufficient replacement, in-person DEERS/RAPIDS processing will end in Northeast Wisconsin. This will greatly impact not only constituents in Wisconsin's 8th district, but also adjacent districts in Wisconsin and the upper peninsula of Michigan who utilize the Appleton DEERS/RAPIDS site.

Wied is proud to have the support of Congressman Glenn Grothman (WI-06), Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07), and Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-01), all of whose constituents will also be impacted by the closure of these facilities.

"I'm glad to join Congressman Wied in calling on the Department of Defense to reopen a DEERS/RAPIDS facility in northeast Wisconsin," said Congressman Grothman. "Our veterans, service members, and their families shouldn't have to drive for hours just to keep access to the benefits they deserve. For many in rural areas, long travel times or relying on online renewals simply isn't an option. Keeping a local facility open is the least we can do to make sure those who served our country continue to receive the support they deserve."

Read the full letter HERE.