Some Veterans can physically access commissaries, exchanges & MWR facilities starting Jan 1st

[GP6971]

Plenty of information at the first link below. FAQs at the second link.

https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/67974/commissary-military-service-exchange-mwr-access-extended-veterans-beginning-january/

According to the Department of Defense, starting Jan. 1, 2020, all service-connected Veterans, Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war (POW), and individuals approved and designated as the primary family caregivers of eligible Veterans under the Department of Veterans Affairs Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) can use commissaries, exchanges, and morale, welfare and recreation (MWR) retail facilities, in-person and online.

For more information regarding these privileges and access to military installations, visit http://www.militaryonesource.mil/expanding-access

Who is eligible Jan. 1, 2020?
Veterans
Purple Heart recipients
former prisoners of war
Veterans with 0-90% service-connected disability ratings

[Cracklin Charlie]

1. Kick to show hubs

Thanks

[Deb]

2. Thank you!

[The Polack MSgt]

3. About time

[GP6971]

4. K & R for visibility n/y

[GP6971]

5. I am checking this out

as it pertains to MWR. It seems we'll be able to access Point of Sales services, but not excursions. Example...we can probably purchase items at their retail outlets, but not book their tours...white river rafting, trips etc. Still very murky at this point in time.

[GP6971]

6. For those veterans

eligible for this benefit, check with your local base concerning base access. Your VA Health Card ID should get you in after a a cursory background check when you check into the visitors center. You may be able to apply for recurring access privileges using your VA card, but that will probably be an individual post decision.

The benefit is effective Jan 1...Since payday is the 1st I'm not planning to access our post until a couple of days later.

[GP6971]

7. Additional/detailed information at the link below.

https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/70068/dod-answers-top-10-questions-expanded-commissary-exchange-mwr-access/

[GP6971]

8. Latest Update

Just a little more info.

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/01/01/your-questions-answered-new-commissary-access-vets-and-caregivers.html

[GP6971]

9. Here was my experience today.

I live outside of JBLM in Washington state. Went to the visitor's center and I breezed through...VA Health card, drivers license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance. No problem. My wife was another story. They needed a copy of our marriage certificate which we didn't have with us. So we couldn't get on base and we have to go back to get her cleared.

Bottom line is that the Army is stating the requirement for the marriage certificate is a VA policy which I haven't heard of before. So if you're not married, you're SO won't be allowed on post. This may be just JBLM though.

[GP6971]

10. Update; 1/13/20

My wife and I accessed JBLM today with no issues. First stop was the visitors center where we presented our marriage certificate and we were issued a 1 day pass. We then went to the ID section on post and my wife received her picture ID card. It's valid through 12/31/20 so it appears we'll have to renew her card every year.

Overall, the process was pretty quick, but that may depend on your local post.

We went to the commissary and found some good deals and some not so good deals. The commissary charges a 5% surcharge on the total purchase. The produce looked fresh and the meat section had good pricing.

We' plan to hit the PX later in the week.

[GP6971]

11. Update 1/25/20

Access to the base and the commissary and PX are proving to be very easy. Once we registered at the main gate we just had to show our IDs and driver license and we breezed through the gate. No issues with my ID in either the commissary, PX or the MWR retail stores. Been a great experience so far.

[GP6971]

12. Update 2/9/20

We've found pricing to be very good at both the commissary and the PX so if you live close to a base, it's well worth the trip.

I thought the Class Six stores would be "off limits", but they're run by the AAFES so you can shop there. We went into the Class Six today and the prices are very good. The wine selection is fair... a lot of popular brands and the pricing was good.

To my surprise the PX still sells cigarettes...I thought they stopped selling them years ago.

[GP6971]

13. An Update from Military.com

https://www.military.com/military-report/after-one-month-newly-eligible-veterans-still-having-problems-base-access.html?ESRC=mr_200210.nl

[GP6971]

14. March 3, 2020 Update

https://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits/everything-veterans-need-know-about-accessing-base-benefits.html?ESRC=army_200303.nl

[GP6971]

15. Update 3/25/20

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, no veteran's guests will be allowed entrance to the commissaries. Info at the link below;

https://www.commissaries.com/coronavirus

[GP6971]

16. 4/25/20 Update.

No new announcements from the VA. But our local commissary is enforcing the no guest rule and mask requirement.

[GP6971]

17. 10/26/20 Update

My local Commissary (JBLM) has now started to allow veteran's spouses to enter the store. Not sure when the restriction was lifted, but we went in on Thursday with no issues.