As a military spouse, I’ve learned to adapt wherever we’re stationed. When we lived in Kodiak, Alaska, I couldn’t safely bike or let alone work in my specialized field. Isolation and harsh weather (and the occasional bear) made it nearly impossible.

Now that we’re in Washington, DC, I finally have the chance to work again, commuting by bike each day to my job in Eckington. When the Firth Sterling bike gate is open and working, my route is safe and direct. But when it’s closed or malfunctioning, like now during the government shutdown—I’m forced to bike along an unfrequented path and cross a freeway at night to reach the Arnold Gate. It’s dangerous and affects many spouses, employees, and service members who simply want safe access to and from the base.

We are asking for an immediate, temporary solution:
Assign a National Guard member or security officer to the Firth Sterling gate to manually check IDs during the shutdown. This would ensure authorized access and protect those commuting early in the morning or late at night.

 
Long-Term Solution-
After the shutdown, we urge JBAB leadership to: Assign a permanent security or MP presence at the Firth Sterling gate during commute hours.
Upgrade the gate system to reliably recognize dependent IDs and PINs.
Improve lighting and visibility to enhance safety year-round.
 
Military families understand sacrifice, but safe access to our own community should not be one of them.
Sign this petition to ensure that everyone at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling—from service members to their families—can commute safely and feel supported every day.