Should all veterans receive official veteran ID cards and free passports?

2017-05-06T22:31:14-04:00

I also think that we have gone all over the world for our country why cant the veterans get free passports by just taking our DD-214 to the pass port office with the filled out application. In reality what would it cost the government to give Veterans this as a perk?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2017 11:17 PM

2017-05-06T23:17:51-04:00

SPC Jeffrey Reese Veterans are supposed to be able to obtain ID Cards in 2017. I have not seen a timeframe when this will happen or what the fee will be. Per the VA website, "the VA identification card will allow Veterans to demonstrate proof of service for discounts at private restaurants and businesses. It should be noted that the identification card is different from a Veteran Health Identification card or a DoD Uniformed Services or retiree ID card. As such, the VA identification cards cannot be used as proof of eligibility to any federal benefits and does not grant access to military installations."

https://nvf.org/getting-veteran-id-card/

http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/26568/veteran-id-cards-options/

Getting a Veteran ID Card from the VA, State Agencies or DoD

Information about how to get a Veteran ID card from the DoD, Department of Veteran Affairs, or state verified veteran status.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made May 7 at 2017 1:53 PM

2017-05-07T13:53:02-04:00

I'll nitpick the passport idea. Be careful about grubbing around for more entitlement. If Joe American knew all the stuff Vets and especially retired get, backlash is likely. Support of Vets is a cultural concept thing, not an analytical decision knowing all the bennies out there. VA and TriCare are astute in posting the medical services meet ObamaCare Minimums. It is vastly more service at a vastly cheaper (free) price. So if you rub people's noses in it that have to shell out $1200/mo for their family of four, then you just created an Anti-Veter. The other notion is what the heck more are you owed? You sign up on current contract, perform your time, and receive what you signed up for. How did you get hosed? The recent expansion of BX/NEX online sales to Vets has much more to do with the "Ka-ching Factor" in improving the financial side of the equation. Didn't see any particular bleeding heart initiative out there for doing more for the Vets although that's how they spin it.

Response by SGT Peter Hayes made May 7 at 2017 4:24 PM

2017-05-07T16:24:18-04:00

sounds good to me. The I.D card would also be a welcome perk

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made May 7 at 2017 6:47 PM

2017-05-07T18:47:55-04:00

Is there a reason you cannot pay for your own passport? If you need one you are likely contemplating international travel which can be expensive. Paying for a passport should not be a big deal. A passport is around $110.00. If veterans get their for free then others will need to pay more. How is that fair or reasonable.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made May 7 at 2017 10:54 PM

2017-05-07T22:54:32-04:00

A personal passport is for personal travel. I do not see a need for this to be paid for by the taxpayers.

Response by SGT David T. made May 8 at 2017 8:12 AM

2017-05-08T08:12:55-04:00

I don't see the point to either thing. VA already gives you a card. As far as the passport goes, I don't think the taxpayers should pay for that. You would be using that for personal travel and that should not be subsidized by the taxpayer.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made May 8 at 2017 10:52 AM

2017-05-08T10:52:59-04:00

Personally I don't think we need free passports. That's not why I signed the dotted line. I just want them to keep the promises they made when I joined - that's enough.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made May 8 at 2017 11:56 AM

2017-05-08T11:56:11-04:00

Hmm...

Perhaps a nation Veteran ID card would be useful. I know some state issued driver's licenses & ID cards have Veteran designations on them, but not all do.

Though as much as I would like not having to pay for a passport, when it comes to spiffs earned by veterans, I'm not sure where the line must be drawn, but it HAS to be drawn somewhere. We get some good benefits, and some measure of recognition and privilege for the unique nature of our service to this country I do feel are due, but we are still members of society, not a higher caste.

Opinions differ of course, but at what point do benefits for veterans begin and where do they stop? What's owed, and what isn't? I don't have those answers, but they need be asked.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made May 9 at 2017 12:30 PM

2017-05-09T12:30:38-04:00

Why do so many servicemembers think we are entitled to so much just because we volunteered to serve? I never ask about military discount. If I see it posted, I'll pull out my card depending on where I am. If it's not posted, I don't ask. If I'm in uniform and they say "oh I'll add the military discount" okay. But why should we be entitled to things for choosing to be in the military? What about LE or emergency responders? Should they get some perks too? They do a lot for the country. So many jobs are important in this country and they don't get entitlements. Doctors, nurses, why not give them something for saving lives?

I don't have a passport. I don't want a passport. If I get one after I get out, I'll pay for it like everyone else.

Response by PFC Essex Essie Johnson made Oct 21 at 2018 2:49 PM

2018-10-21T14:49:35-04:00

Yes

Response by SSG Jenny Meshulam-Bernardi made Oct 23 at 2018 12:52 PM

2018-10-23T12:52:51-04:00

I agree with you. And FYI. MILITARY INSURANCE. cost as well as they pay 25 -35 dolkars copay. We dont get free care for our dependents.

Response by Sgt Ralph Huston made Dec 26 at 2018 9:15 AM

2018-12-26T09:15:54-05:00

Veterans should not have to pay for US Passports, I feel our Government And our Country owe it to Veterans to provide free passports for serving their country.

Response by PO2 Curtis Jensen made Mar 5 at 2019 2:15 AM

2019-03-05T02:15:37-05:00

I do agree we put our lives and some gave theirs to protect our way of life