He is referring to the new ID for active-duty members. They are now white and have a small computer chip at the bottom. These cards were not available in 1998. I assume from your post that you are a military dependent. That being the case, you do have the latest ID - for dependents. Retirees and dependents will not receive the newest card.
The newest ones are white? ALL of them? For enlisted AND Officers? That doesn't sound quite right to me.
However, hubby is now retired, but when I had my "green" military card renewed in 1998, it is encased in such lamination, there is NO way anyone can tamper with it.
Plus, it has all my medical and commissary and bx privileges listed on it. And this one has a bunch of USA holograms under the lamination.
Plus, my photo, my height, my weight, color of hair and eyes.