To get base access there, eligible veterans first need to get their Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC) from the enrollment office of their local VA. Usually, you just need to have a photo taken, and your new ID will show up in the mail within a few weeks.

Can I get on base with my VA card 2020?

Veterans with Veteran Health ID Card can shop at Military Exchange starting Jan. 1. The Defense Department has announced expanded commissary, Military Service Exchange and MWR access beginning Jan. 1, 2020, and established a standard for physical access to military installations.

What ID do you need to get onto a military base?

The type of identification that you would need in order to gain access to base is a United States Certification of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-550), United States Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551), School identification card with photograph, United States Coast Guard or Department of

Who can get on a military base?

TLDR – Civilians can get on military bases if they are a spouse or dependent of a service member or sponsored by a service member. However, the policies vary from base to base. Many bases also have visitor centers that are open to the public or require a special visitor pass.

Can veterans use the commissary in 2020?

Effective January 1, 2020, the fiscal 2019 National Defense Authorization Act expanded the pool of eligible exchange, commissary shoppers to include all service-connected disabled veterans, Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war and primary veteran caregivers.

Can all veterans go to the commissary?

Under the new authorization, eligible veterans include Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war, and veterans with documented service-connected disabilities or their VA documented caregivers. VHICs are not issued overseas.

Is a VA ID a federal ID?

As such, the VA identification cards cannot be used as proof of eligibility to any federal benefits and does not grant access to military installations. When available, Veterans will be able to request an ID card from VA for a fee. Your driver’s license or state identification card can carry a Veteran designation.

Do military bases require REAL ID?

In the DoD’s own words, “ All federal agencies including the DoD must comply with the law regarding the use of REAL IDs for official purposes.” Basically, this means that a REAL ID compliant form of identification is necessary for any individual to gain access to all DoD installations, federal facilities or property,

What do you need to get on base without military ID?

According to several bases that have announced how this is going to work, you can use a passport or a variety of other types of IDs instead of your state driver’s license to get a visitor’s pass (get ready, this list is kind of long): Federal Identification Cards (PIC); Transportation Worker Identification Card; United

Do you need a passport to enter a military base?

You will need a REAL ID (or another federally issued, compliant ID—like a passport) to fly, enter a military base or a federal building.

Can I bring my girlfriend on base?

A service member can sponsor non-military guests on base. But they will need to either fill out a sponsorship form in advance or meet you in person at the gate. If you are the passenger in their car, you simply need a driver’s license.

Can you have visitors on a military base?

Most people can visit a military base with no issue. However, it’s not like visiting grandma where you can just pull up and walk in. You must bring all required documents and be willing to submit to a background check. Usually, you’ll need to have a sponsor, too.

What do I need to visit a military base?

Generally, the items that may be needed to gain access are:

1. Federal I.D., state issued I.D., or driver’s license. (Expired I.D.’s will not be accepted.)
2. Passport (Expired passports will not be accepted.)
3. Vehicle registration (if renting, the car rental agreement will suffice)
4. Proof of vehicle insurance.

Can veterans use the exchange in 2021?

Veterans need a Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC) for in-person Commissary, Military Exchange, MWR access. On January 1, Veterans eligible solely under this act who are eligible to obtain a Veteran Health Identification Card must use this credential for in-person installation and privilege access.

Are all veterans entitled to commissary privileges?

As of early 2020, veterans with any service-connected disability can shop at the commissary. To help make sure only authorized shoppers are using the store, the commissary scans user IDs at check out. That means that it isn’t enough to simply get on base to shop — you must also hold an acceptable, scannable ID card.

Can honorably discharged veterans shop at the PX?

Actually, you can. Starting in 2017 all honorably discharged veterans could shop at the Exchange online, but not on base. And starting January 1, 2020, the Department of Defense expanded those shopping privileges to in-store military exchanges, the commissary and MWR resale facilities.