Colin Powell served the majority of his career in the U.S. Army and related Pentagon positions.  He should understand the need for confirmation of identity. For everyone of his thirty years of service, he was required to have a photo ID and other forms of identification.  In fact, to gain access to the Pentagon, an individual must have two forms of current government issued identification to confirm ID, including one photo ID.  At the State Department, to visit you must have a government issued photo ID or passport.