On-Base Shopping Privileges to Expand
Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2018 1:51 pm
Here is an article from the VFW Action Corps Weekly email news letter. Some of you may fall into the categories listed.
"4. On-Base Shopping Privileges to Expand: The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 includes a provision to open on-base commissary, exchange and MWR privileges to stateside Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war, and those with service-connected disabilities and their caregiver spouses. Once implemented on Jan. 1, 2020, the new beneficiaries will be allowed to use these facilities on the same basis as any service member, dependent or military retiree, although a new user fee might be created for this population to offset additional expansion expenses. The delay to enact is to give the military services, exchange systems and Defense Commissary Agency time to ensure the launch is seamless. Gate access and shopping privileges will be based on the new VA-issued Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC), which identifies the holder as having a service-connected disability. The DOD’s electronic physical access control system, to be completed by Sept. 2019, will accept the VHIC to enable streamlined access to installations. The VFW will monitor and report back as expansion efforts progress."
"4. On-Base Shopping Privileges to Expand: The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 includes a provision to open on-base commissary, exchange and MWR privileges to stateside Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war, and those with service-connected disabilities and their caregiver spouses. Once implemented on Jan. 1, 2020, the new beneficiaries will be allowed to use these facilities on the same basis as any service member, dependent or military retiree, although a new user fee might be created for this population to offset additional expansion expenses. The delay to enact is to give the military services, exchange systems and Defense Commissary Agency time to ensure the launch is seamless. Gate access and shopping privileges will be based on the new VA-issued Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC), which identifies the holder as having a service-connected disability. The DOD’s electronic physical access control system, to be completed by Sept. 2019, will accept the VHIC to enable streamlined access to installations. The VFW will monitor and report back as expansion efforts progress."