Lloyd J. Austin III Secretary of Defence | Official website
The Department of Defense (DoD), in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), has introduced an improved process for installation access for eligible veterans and caregivers. This enhancement is designed to facilitate medical appointments, shopping at commissaries and exchanges, and accessing certain morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) services. Eligibility will now be electronically verified during the access process.
Veterans without a VA-issued Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) and eligible caregivers can enroll for installation access using a REAL ID Act-compliant driver's license or non-driver's identification card at the visitor center. As of November 1, 2024, they no longer need to present additional documentation such as a VA-issued caregiver patronage letter or service-connected disability letter to enroll.
Despite this improvement, these documents are still required to demonstrate eligibility at commissaries, exchanges, or MWR services since these facilities cannot verify eligibility electronically. Caregivers approved under the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers are considered eligible for these purposes.
Ashish S. Vazirani, performing the duties of Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness stated: "Our veterans and their caregivers deserve a smooth experience in accessing installations." He expressed satisfaction with the collaboration with the VA on this initiative.
Tanya Bradsher, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs remarked: "The VA-DoD partnership will make it easier for our nation's veterans and their caregivers to more easily access benefits and services on military installations."
To obtain recurring installation access, individuals must visit each installation's visitor center initially. During this first visit, they must establish identity with acceptable credentials like VHIC or REAL ID; undergo checks to establish fitness; and have their eligibility verified electronically.
Once enrolled with a VHIC or REAL ID at an installation visitor center, future visits only require presenting these credentials at the gate. Enrollment typically lasts one to three years but needs renewal if credentials expire or if eligibility ends under the Patronage Expansion Act.
For further details on accessing DoD services worldwide through Military OneSource visit www.militaryonesource.mil.
