Posted on Jul 6, 2015
GOOD IDEA? Veterans ID Cards could replace DD-214. Bill Passes House & Senate
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Share your thoughts on a Veterans ID Card replacing the DD Form 214.
On Monday, the U.S. Senate amended and passed with unanimous consent a bill from a Florida congressman which ensures every veteran receives an ID card from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs without burdening taxpayers. The House passed the bill last month with 402 representatives backing it and no votes cast against it.
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., introduced the Veterans ID Card Act earlier this year. Buchanan’s bill would ensure all veterans receive ID cards from the VA instead of just those who served 20 years in the armed forces or are seeking medical treatment for service-related wounds.
In pushing his bill in recent months, Buchanan has noted veterans are forced to carry DD-214 paperwork, which contains sensitive information including Social Security numbers, and an ID card would be more convenient and would do a better job of keeping their personal information secure.
“A simple, standardized ID card will make life easier for our veterans and serve as a reminder that our brave service men and women deserve all the respect a grateful nation can offer," Buchanan said on Tuesday.
Buchanan insisted his bill was budget neutral since veterans who opted for the ID card would have a small fee which the VA secretary would examine every five years.
http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/buchanans-bill-replace-dd-214-veterans-id-card-passes-senate-without-opposition
On Monday, the U.S. Senate amended and passed with unanimous consent a bill from a Florida congressman which ensures every veteran receives an ID card from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs without burdening taxpayers. The House passed the bill last month with 402 representatives backing it and no votes cast against it.
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., introduced the Veterans ID Card Act earlier this year. Buchanan’s bill would ensure all veterans receive ID cards from the VA instead of just those who served 20 years in the armed forces or are seeking medical treatment for service-related wounds.
In pushing his bill in recent months, Buchanan has noted veterans are forced to carry DD-214 paperwork, which contains sensitive information including Social Security numbers, and an ID card would be more convenient and would do a better job of keeping their personal information secure.
“A simple, standardized ID card will make life easier for our veterans and serve as a reminder that our brave service men and women deserve all the respect a grateful nation can offer," Buchanan said on Tuesday.
Buchanan insisted his bill was budget neutral since veterans who opted for the ID card would have a small fee which the VA secretary would examine every five years.
http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/buchanans-bill-replace-dd-214-veterans-id-card-passes-senate-without-opposition
Posted in these groups: 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 100
This would be great. It would make military verification easier, including on RallyPoint for our veterans.
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LTC Stephen F.
LTC Yinon Weiss, I suggest that RallyPoint offer its assistance to the VA as well as the assistance of its members: (1) members can verify that we already have ID cards or confirm we don't which would reduce unnecessary appointments and cards being produced, (2) members can notify other veterans who are not members who don't have either military or VA ID cards - I know a WWII and post Korean Vet in that category; (3) members can help identify other veterans who have dies so the government does not make the mistake of contacting a grieving family to set up an appointment with somebody who dies recently; and (4) most importantly members may be able to assist the VA in locating veterans who have fallen off the grid and are homeless or suicidal. This last point should be the most important so that this effort succeeds were the Affordable Care Act failed - reaching those who have not been covered and helping coordinate getting the VA to the people who need them most. SPC (Join to see), GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad, SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas, CH (MAJ) William Beaver, PO1 Tony Holland, SSG Derrick L. Lewis, MBA, DSL, DL, 1LT(P) L S, COL Mikel J. Burroughs; CW5 (Join to see); SFC Mark Merino, LTC Stephen C., TSgt Hunter Logan
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PO2 Kayla Modschiedler
I like this too, there has been a Vets ID card here in Franklin County (OH) for quite some time. It makes it easier to get a military discount if you do not have a VA ID card. Also, I have come across a few Stolen Valor Weirdos since I moved back here and this would hamper that kind of behavior.
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SFC Erich Pyles
There are times where I need to be seen at different VA hospitals or outpatient clinics across the country due to my job. However, I have to register and wait (up to a month) for approval in order to be seen at each location. Each time I have to provide documentation including a DD214 because the VA has not streamlined the record system. Nonetheless, I believe the NEW Veterans ID Card would be very helpful.
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LTC Stephen F.
SFC Erich Pyles, The VA Choice System should have provided a "Temporary" VA Choice Program Card. They issued me one a couple months ago for Dermatology since there were no VA appointments available with 60 days. Call [login to see] for information or go to http://www.va.gov/opa/choiceact/
Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act | About the Program
Learn how to get started with the .
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SGM Matthew Quick, this may be a good idea especially (1) if veterans and their families are allowed to opt in or opt out; (2) all veterans who are also retired military will be opted out unless they choose to opt in; (3) all veterans who are still on duty [Active, National Guard or Reserve) and have current cards are opted out until they retire or leave the service; and (4) all veterans who already have VA Disabled Veterans ID cards are excluded.
They better be sure they screen out all dead veterans and do not upset grieving family members!
Background: I have 3 DD 214, I imagine they could digitize all the information from DD 214's, at taxpayer expense, so that it could be included on an embedded chip similar to CAC cards. Like may veterans that would mean I have retired ID card from DoD, a Disabled ID Card from Department of Veterans Affairs and now a ID Card from Department of Veterans Affairs.
Considering there are tens of millions of Veterans in this country and VA has been making herculean efforts to get disabled veterans to register for MyHealtheVet access.
If this is not done well [remember affordable care act website roll-out which was as a high a priority as this nation has had] it will alienate those it should be trying to help - those who should be on suicide watch lists, the homeless who will be difficult to track down, etc.
GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad, SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas; LTC Stephen C., SPC (Join to see), SGT Forrest Stewart, CW5 (Join to see)
They better be sure they screen out all dead veterans and do not upset grieving family members!
Background: I have 3 DD 214, I imagine they could digitize all the information from DD 214's, at taxpayer expense, so that it could be included on an embedded chip similar to CAC cards. Like may veterans that would mean I have retired ID card from DoD, a Disabled ID Card from Department of Veterans Affairs and now a ID Card from Department of Veterans Affairs.
Considering there are tens of millions of Veterans in this country and VA has been making herculean efforts to get disabled veterans to register for MyHealtheVet access.
If this is not done well [remember affordable care act website roll-out which was as a high a priority as this nation has had] it will alienate those it should be trying to help - those who should be on suicide watch lists, the homeless who will be difficult to track down, etc.
GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad, SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas; LTC Stephen C., SPC (Join to see), SGT Forrest Stewart, CW5 (Join to see)
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PO3 Jody Wangen
I went and registered at the VA about 14 years ago. they gave me a picture ID for free. I carry it, not my DD214. and why does their sample say county of san mateo instead of us government? is this from the us gov or the local gov? I think it would be only valid if us gov issues it as you check out.
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SSG Willis Baker
Ok, why have so many cards? One card fits all. It would have you DD-214, VA eligibility, and anything else they want to put on it. Initial card would be given upon ETS. When the soldier visits the VA and awarded disability then the card can be updated without have to get another one.
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PO3 Sherry Thornburg
I got my reservist ID before I left the service and that was it. I never heard of any of these other ID cards. It might indeed save a lot of trouble for visiting bases and proving prior military status.
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CW4 Laird Culver
Not a bad idea, but how will you discern between honorable, other than and dishonorable discharges? ID is a great concept!
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MSgt John Wylie
CW4 Laird Culver - Dishonorable discharges get no benefits, nor any kind of access. Thus NO card would be needed.
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PO3 Sherry Thornburg
CW4 Laird Culver - I'm pretty sure to get that first card one would have to go through some sort of background check to make sure of prior military status and discharge type. This is the government we are talking about.
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SSG Mike Angelo
I hope all veterans get the opportunity to receive a veterans ID card. Society is hard on the veteran regardless of rank, branch of service, and type of discharge. I believe that if an individual took the time to enlist, sign a contract, and did time in the military, that former Servicemember deserves to be recognized.
It is rough out here in a open and free society. Civilian folks do not know the difference between an 0-6 and an E-6. Society's laws are written as privilege, such as driving a car...laws are not written in the language for veterans. One law fits all... kind of deal...like a traffic stop or similar violation. At least with a veteran ID card, our legal system has the opportunity for change in a positive direction. And it's no cost to the taxpayer.
It is rough out here in a open and free society. Civilian folks do not know the difference between an 0-6 and an E-6. Society's laws are written as privilege, such as driving a car...laws are not written in the language for veterans. One law fits all... kind of deal...like a traffic stop or similar violation. At least with a veteran ID card, our legal system has the opportunity for change in a positive direction. And it's no cost to the taxpayer.
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