Posted on Dec 19, 2016
Should we have a government-issued national Veterans ID card?
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For those of us not in the VA system nor retired, shouldn't there be a national Veterans ID card issued by the government? I can add it to my license but retailers don't always accept it (when Veteran promotions are offered). I think all who served honorably deserve such a card and any non-military related benefits given to those who have them (local municipality tax breaks, retailer discounts, etc). Who's with me? - PS not looking for same "privileges" or benefits that retirees have earned!
--EDIT-- after much feedback and great discussion it looks like the drivers license designation might suffice. The rest might just be a national education that this designation means you are a Veteran who served honorably. Not everyone is aware of that. As for the DD214, too much Personally Identifiable Info on it so there should be another way and I think the drivers license designation make sense! Cheers to all who commented and Happy Holidays! - Semper Fi, Bill
--EDIT-- after much feedback and great discussion it looks like the drivers license designation might suffice. The rest might just be a national education that this designation means you are a Veteran who served honorably. Not everyone is aware of that. As for the DD214, too much Personally Identifiable Info on it so there should be another way and I think the drivers license designation make sense! Cheers to all who commented and Happy Holidays! - Semper Fi, Bill
Posted in these groups: 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Military Discounts
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Military Discounts
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 134
"I think all who served honorably deserve such a card and any privileges given to those who have them (PX, retailer discounts, etc). Who's with me?"
Privileges?
The world, the US, the PX OWES me (you, us) nothing for our service.
As part of my contract and service obligation served I EARNED some benefits for my service.
But that is much differnt than rights and "privileges" owed me.... which IMHO, do not exist.
So what earned benefits does a no longer serving non medically retired SGT vet with 8 years of good service deprived of without your proposed "national Veterans ID card " ?
10% at Denny's ?
Wait that's not a benefit..not a right, not a privilege it is just an offer of thanks by a private company and it is offered to a small demographic if that person can show cause.. You think the government should design, fund, run a program so you can insure everyone that ever served can get thier Denny's discount?
So again, what is the need? what are you being denied and why do you propose the need for a National Vet ID card? What does this card bring to you that you can not already prove as needed with existing documentation the service component provided you at seperation?
Privileges?
The world, the US, the PX OWES me (you, us) nothing for our service.
As part of my contract and service obligation served I EARNED some benefits for my service.
But that is much differnt than rights and "privileges" owed me.... which IMHO, do not exist.
So what earned benefits does a no longer serving non medically retired SGT vet with 8 years of good service deprived of without your proposed "national Veterans ID card " ?
10% at Denny's ?
Wait that's not a benefit..not a right, not a privilege it is just an offer of thanks by a private company and it is offered to a small demographic if that person can show cause.. You think the government should design, fund, run a program so you can insure everyone that ever served can get thier Denny's discount?
So again, what is the need? what are you being denied and why do you propose the need for a National Vet ID card? What does this card bring to you that you can not already prove as needed with existing documentation the service component provided you at seperation?
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Cpl Casey Meyer
1LT Geoffrey Oakley - I hear you Sir I've been asked same, however at airport security, if I can get through that mess quicker, I'll take it.
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Sgt Daniel Curry
San Mateo County California now has a county wide veteran card. Also the State of California has the word "veteran" on the driver license. One has to asked the DMV for this. Most California veterans are not aware this. I do have a VA card that I carry all the time with my veteran driver license.
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FN Charlie Spivey
CWO4 Steven Strehle - I was in Lowes and asked if they had a Service Discount and they did. I had my VA card, VFW Life member Card, and DAV Life member card. They would except any one of them. Va. also has a Veterans I.D. Card.
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SP5 Jo9hn Cunningham
Spec5 Cunningham John - At the least it would be an official statement that we served. Much better than an old faded carbon copy DD214.
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A veteran ID Card...maybe but un-earned privileges...no way. If you want to be able to get on base and use the BX and Commissary, stay on active duty for 20 or more years like the rest of us.
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SFC Rich Gomez
I really have a problem with people who have a sense of self entitlement. So you served and got out after 4 - 10 years, good for you and Thank you for your service and that is all you will get from me as I do not believe you deserve anything beyond that... you got out before retirement, end of story. I served 22 years and retired, I do not go to the commissary or the exchange myself as I don't feel a need to, I obtain excellent medical care at Univ of Kansas Hospital and my local PCP, all my medical bills are covered by both Medicare and TFL 100% (one of my meds is exceptionally expensive that I could not afford without TFL). I have some major medical conditions that I am certain if I applied to VA would be service connected (Agent Orange 1968-69) (Asbestos 1969-79) but I made a decision when I was diagnosed with IPF/Heart issues that as long as my medical care and bills were taken care of there would be no need to take further advantage of the taxpayers and I rarely ask store owners for any discounts..... a 10% discount on a $10 bill does not really save me anything and takes away from that server/employee, our economy.... there just are a lot more bigger things than me... So Guy's get over yourselves Be Proud of Your Service, Show some Loyalty to your Country Not Your Wallet it does not make your Life any Richer.......Keep The Faith.....
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SPC Randy Torgerson
SFC Rich Gomez - " served 22 years and retired, I do not go to the commissary or the exchange myself as I don't feel a need to,"
Good for you, but you should get off your high horse. Nobody and I mean nobody is asking for some entitlement in this conversation. Businesses offer discounts, the id card makes it easier to show your a veteran. That's it...! Nothing about entitlements. Why did you make your comment all about you? The businesses are not tax payers money. They offer these discounts for veterans, law enforcement, senior citizens, etc..... Nothing wrong with getting a discount if a business is offering it. Plus maybe not all veterans are as well off as you. So don't make this about YOU.
Good for you, but you should get off your high horse. Nobody and I mean nobody is asking for some entitlement in this conversation. Businesses offer discounts, the id card makes it easier to show your a veteran. That's it...! Nothing about entitlements. Why did you make your comment all about you? The businesses are not tax payers money. They offer these discounts for veterans, law enforcement, senior citizens, etc..... Nothing wrong with getting a discount if a business is offering it. Plus maybe not all veterans are as well off as you. So don't make this about YOU.
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SFC Rich Gomez
SPC Randy Torgerson - Son, when you no longer wear the uniform because your term of service has expired well good luck. Just realize that discount you think a proprietor so generously owes because you are veteran OWES YOU EXACTLY NOTHING... you got paid and taken care while on duty and might I remind you it was "Voluntary Duty" nobody told you that YOU HAD TO DO IT.... You Chose To Do It.... Tell me, now that you have been discharged, are you living on your own supporting yourself possibly a family or are you living with your parents again? Going back to that Proprietor you have to remember that generous discount they are giving comes out of their profits or even added to their overhead.... there is a cost to everything that is passed back to every customer including you again in higher prices.... stop and think about what the affects are to everyone not just you.... Everybody is looking for a way to get over on the next guy and so on and so forth, where does it end? Another Broken Economy? You can bet WWll, Korean, Vietnam and First Iraq War Vets did not go out there looking for a way to just look for a way to look out ONLY for themselves...... The way of a Real Soldier is to look out for the guy next to you in the foxhole..... that means your fellow Americans.
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SPC Randy Torgerson
SFC Rich Gomez - You don't even read your own posts. NOBODY said anything is owed. NOBODY said anyone feels like they are owed. I simply said that businesses offer discounts. They are not obligated and they are not owed to anyone.
I offer military discounts from my business. I don't feel I need to do it, but I WANT to do it. I do it because I appreciate the hardships that veterans have gone through. Sure some more than others but every veteran gave a little bit of themselves.
STOP making this sound like veterans demand or are entitled to something. These are businesses who generously offer these small discounts to show their appreciation and honestly, to attract customers. Its not sinister, its just a discount. Clearly you have you idea how business works.
I offer military discounts from my business. I don't feel I need to do it, but I WANT to do it. I do it because I appreciate the hardships that veterans have gone through. Sure some more than others but every veteran gave a little bit of themselves.
STOP making this sound like veterans demand or are entitled to something. These are businesses who generously offer these small discounts to show their appreciation and honestly, to attract customers. Its not sinister, its just a discount. Clearly you have you idea how business works.
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SSgt Bill Trevor I am a retired SNCO and a disabled veteran. The VA issues ID cards to all veterans who present themselves for service. These cards do not entitle veterans to discounts, base access or any shopping privileges. I am okay with this arrangement.
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PO2 Mark Lucier
Lowe's should change it's policy and realize not every vet is disabled. However if a nation wide Veteran card is issued I'm in, but hell too if I'm going to a VA Hospital for a card.
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TSgt Gwen Walcott
PO2 Mark Lucier - I hear you on the part about going to the hospital for the card. Seems like all the parking is allocated to staff and nothing for patients or visitors. Have to park at Starbucks across the street to visit the place. Royal hassle (but the staff are nice, just access is the problem)
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SPC Randy Torgerson
TSgt Gwen Walcott - yeah, but your'll probably want to go to star bucks after your visit anyway..... :)
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