When I got married, something I looked forward to was being able to wear my husband’s name on my chest.

To me, it’s an honor to represent someone who has changed my life and will be by my side for better or worse.

I was able to change my marital status upon arrival to Marine Corps Base Quantico, but I was still wearing my maiden name.

For four months I kept the same name because I thought I had to change my name in the state where I got married. By the time I learned that I didn’t have to do that, it was only a week before I went home for the holidays so I figured I would just do it at home.

I was a little upset that I had put something so exciting on hold for no reason, but it felt good to know that I was going home to my husband share this experience with him.

The first thing I did when I got to Texas was change my name. All they asked for was a valid photo identification card and my marriage certificate, and my first step was complete.

It was quick and easy. The woman at the desk did everything and all I had to do was double check the spelling and sign beside it. About two weeks after I changed my name, I got my brand new social security card with my new last name.

I called Defense Enrollment Eligibility System to find out when I could get a new Common Access Card, and they said I would have to change my name with the Installation Personnel Administration Center before I could do anything else.

The next day I went to IPAC and changed my name in the system. Directly after, I went over to DEERS, but the power was out and they were not able to help me.

The receptionist at DEERS said that I could go back in a week and the change at IPAC would be fully processed and the change would be quick. He said that if I decided that I needed to get my CAC before that, I would have to bring in my marriage certificate and my social security card so that they could do it by hand.

Waiting for it to process was more convenient for the both of us. They didn’t have to do extra work, and I didn’t have to wait for them to do it by hand. At this point you can take in your spare uniform to get your new name sewn on so that they will be ready by the time you can get your new CAC.

When I went back in a week, I provided two forms of identification- my driver license and my social security card- and the whole process took about 10 minutes.

With my new CAC I changed the name on the right side of my chest. I went to the Marine Corps Exchange to get new nametapes made and sewn onto a pair of woodlands. It took about five days for them to be ready because they were behind due to snow days.

I realized in that moment that I should have gone days before to get my new name sewn on there so that they could have been ready by the time I got my CAC.

My experience was a lot simpler than I expected. I learned that changing your name at a social security office was the first step to everything and it can be done in any state. I also learned that changes can’t be made at DEERS until they have been made at IPAC.

Experience matters. When you are going through something that’s new to you, ask someone who has been there and done that to help you avoid setbacks and extra leg work.

To schedule an appointment at DEERS, visit www.quantico.marines.mil.

Correspondent: sarah.a.garcia@usmc.mil