Exchange Eligability for Vets

[Revmitchell]

The Defense Department has announced expanded Commissary, Military Service Exchange and MWR access Jan. 1 and established a standard for physical access to military installations.

Veterans and Primary Family Caregivers who are eligible and want to take advantage of in-person benefits must have a Veterans Health Identification Card, or VHIC. Primary Family Caregivers must have an eligibility letter from VA’s Office of Community Care.

Veterans use VHICs for identification and check-in at VA appointments, but will also use them for base access under the new program.

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. The card must display the Veteran’s eligibility status (i.e., PURPLE HEART, FORMER POW or SERVICE CONNECTED).

Veterans eligible solely under this act who are not enrolled in or are not eligible to enroll in VA health care, or who are enrolled in VA health care, but do not possess a Veteran Health Identification Card will not have access to DoD and Coast Guard installations for in-person commissary, exchange, and MWR retail privileges, but will have full access to online exchanges and American Forces Travel.

Medal of Honor recipients and Veterans with 100% service-connected disability ratings are eligible for DoD credentials under DoD policy.

Veterans need VHIC for in-person Commissary, Military Exchange, MWR access - VAntage Point

 

[Salty]

In addition - using a credit card at the Commisary will incur a small additional charge - as the commisary makes no profit.
(credit card companies charge the business for every credit card transaction)
The only execption to the credit card charge is if you use your Military (PX) credit card.

Keep in mind also - if you are located near a small base with a small PX -be sure to utilize it
as the more purchases that are made- the wider selection that PX can carry.

MWR activities will also be authorized use - such as libaries, golf course, and ect.

Evidently non-charged activiteis such as Gyms, ect will not be authorized.

Also remember that any profit the PX makes - helps support the MWR activies for our Active and NGR brothers.

 

[Salty]

Just 20 days and us service connected vets can start using the PX, Commisary, selected MWR and ect.
Do you have the correct VA card to gain entrence to any Military, Naval or Coast Guard base?
And remember, if possible be sure to utilize those stores as the more purchases that are made-
the wider selection of items that the PX can carry.
AND - profits from the PX go to help the MWR

 

[Salty]

Plan on going up to Ft Drum this weekend!

 

[Salty]

I just tried to register, but I get an error message that I am not in DEERS. I filled the online service request form with the VA to add me in the system. Thank you for the heads up on this.

Were you able to ever get registered with the PX?

 

[Salty]

Also you may need ID to get on base. At Hancock AFT - all they need to see is your VA service connection card.

At Ft Drum - they process you and issue you a Ft Drum ID card valid for one year

At the (Former Griffiths AFB) nothing is needed as the military portion of the former base is about one acre.

 

[Squire Robertsson]

Or go to the nearest VA facility and check in with customer service.

 

[Reformed]

Were you able to ever get registered with the PX?

I sure was. I was also able to register with the Air Force Exchange Service.

 

[JonC]

The exchange is not the savings it once was. We ho to the commissary some.

 

[Centrist]

I have a valid DD214, honorable, and even have a NDSM on my 214. Yet the VA claims I never served

 

[Salty]

I have a valid DD214, honorable, and even have a NDSM on my 214. Yet the VA claims I never served

how long did you serve on active duty?

 

[Centrist]

Not long. My knees couldn't handle it.

 

[Salty]

Not long. My knees couldn't handle it.

I think you have to be active duty for 180 days for VA benefits.

 

[Eternally Grateful]

Is the exchange system any better? For those of us who were pre Clinton. The exchange was amazing. Then the privatized and we lost so many of our benefits. I will have to check it out. Wright pat is not to far from me. If its worth it maybe I can start going back there.

 

[Salty]

The PX does have its own credit card - my APR is about 10%
Good for all exanges - AAFEX, NES, MCX, CGX
Of course there is no tax -
Always worth check out.

If you are service connected, according to the VA you are permitted to shop in the Brick & Motar Exchange
My wife goes in with me - but technically, she is not authorized to purchase (Will be writing my congressman about that)
In addition - some bases - may require you to get a base ID for entry onto the base.
At Hancock Air National Guard base - my VA service connection Card ID is sufficent to get on base.

All Veterans who are enrolled in the VA may shop on the PX web page.

 

[just-want-peace]

I have a problem with “logging in”. Verifying eligibility was a snap, BUT, when I go to an exchange site I’m asked to LOG IN. Being the first time, I had no password, so I just clicked “create new account”. Then I’m right back to the original verify page.
I’ve looked several times, but can find no-where that I can create an initial password.

As Marie used to say on the Donny & Marie show - - - - “H A L P” !!!!

 

[just-want-peace]

I have a problem with “logging in”. Verifying eligibility was a snap, BUT, when I go to an exchange site I’m asked to LOG IN. Being the first time, I had no password, so I just clicked “create new account”. Then I’m right back to the original verify page.
I’ve looked several times, but can find no-where that I can create an initial password.

As Marie used to say on the Donny & Marie show - - - - “H A L P” !!!!