Oahu, HI
Oahu, HI
Posted on Jul 29, 2024
Are veterans with ID cards eligible to use any MWR activities and programs provided by bases?
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I’m specifically asking about Marine Corps Base Kaneohe. I’m a veteran and have a veteran ID card. For example, am I able to rent a boat that is provided by the MWR activities on base? Perhaps this is a relevant question for the majority of other bases as well. I’m not sure?
Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR)
MCBH (Kaneohe)
Oahu
Posted 2 mo ago
Responses: 8
Unless you are a veteran that has a service-connected disability, received a Purple Heart, Medal of Honor or was a POW, then the answer is no.
This will apply across the board because eligibility is driven by law*, not policy (further restrictions are often added by the local commander if there are a lack of resources but eligibility can't be expanded by policy).
The largest recent expansion (effective January 1st, 2020) to section 1065 was changing the disability threshold from 100% service-connected to any service-connected (even 0%) and adding Purple Heart and MOH recipients.
Access in the expanded categories requires* the use of the Veteran Health identification Card (VHIC), not the Veteran ID Card (VIC) with the appropriate eligibility category ('Service Connected', 'Purple Heart', or 'Former POW') shown on it.
If you are in any of the eligibility categories for a Uniformed Services ID (USID) Card*, that will give you access to the military installation, but does not guarantee eligibility to MWR facilities and resources (you need to be in one of the categories listed in 10 USC § 1065).
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* 10 USC § 1065 - Use of commissary stores and MWR facilities: certain veterans, caregivers for veterans, and Foreign Service officers - https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/1065
* In a few cases when you're not eligible for a VHIC, you can use a form (H623A) from the VA along with an acceptable form of ID (REAL ID-compliant driver's license, U.S. Passport, etc.)
* Next Generation Uniformed Services ID Card - https://www.cac.mil/Next-Generation-Uniformed-Services-ID-Card/
This will apply across the board because eligibility is driven by law*, not policy (further restrictions are often added by the local commander if there are a lack of resources but eligibility can't be expanded by policy).
The largest recent expansion (effective January 1st, 2020) to section 1065 was changing the disability threshold from 100% service-connected to any service-connected (even 0%) and adding Purple Heart and MOH recipients.
Access in the expanded categories requires* the use of the Veteran Health identification Card (VHIC), not the Veteran ID Card (VIC) with the appropriate eligibility category ('Service Connected', 'Purple Heart', or 'Former POW') shown on it.
If you are in any of the eligibility categories for a Uniformed Services ID (USID) Card*, that will give you access to the military installation, but does not guarantee eligibility to MWR facilities and resources (you need to be in one of the categories listed in 10 USC § 1065).
----------------------------
* 10 USC § 1065 - Use of commissary stores and MWR facilities: certain veterans, caregivers for veterans, and Foreign Service officers - https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/1065
* In a few cases when you're not eligible for a VHIC, you can use a form (H623A) from the VA along with an acceptable form of ID (REAL ID-compliant driver's license, U.S. Passport, etc.)
* Next Generation Uniformed Services ID Card - https://www.cac.mil/Next-Generation-Uniformed-Services-ID-Card/
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CPT Aaron Kletzing
COL Randall C. -- thanks as always for the awesome advice here, Sir! Appreciate you taking the time to give feedback. Would love to chat in person if we ever cross paths in the same area as well. Cheers!
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TSgt Gary McPherson
I'm USAF retired near Travis AFB and have used their services.Bought trip tickets also
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CPT . What Kind Of Veteran ID Card Do You Have? I Have The Brown ID Because Of 100% Disability And I Have Full Base Privileges Including MWR , I Have Rented Boats From Both Army And Navy Bases,
However You Have To Take The Online Boaters Safety Course.
However You Have To Take The Online Boaters Safety Course.
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CPT Aaron Kletzing
Thanks for the response here, SPC James Neidig! Just curious, I have never heard of this brown-colored ID card. In theory how does someone who is rated 100% go about getting one? I have a friend who is rated 100%, which is why I am asking, and I'm sure he doesn't know about this personally. Thanks!
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SPC James Neidig
CPT Aaron Kletzing
The Person Who Is 100% Needs To Get A Summary Of Benefits Letter From VA .
It Will State They Are 100% And Their Dates Of Service And Types Of Discharge.
They Can Get The Letter From A VSO
E-Benefits Website Or The VA Medical Center.
They Then Take The Letter To A Base ID Card Office And They Will Issue An ID Card To Your Friend And Spouse.
When I Got My 100% Rating The VSO Gave Me Mine And Set Up An Appointment To Get The Card.
It May Not Be Brown Anymore Since Mine Was Issued In 2007 And It’s An Indefinite Expiration Date.
I Am Glad To Help !
The Person Who Is 100% Needs To Get A Summary Of Benefits Letter From VA .
It Will State They Are 100% And Their Dates Of Service And Types Of Discharge.
They Can Get The Letter From A VSO
E-Benefits Website Or The VA Medical Center.
They Then Take The Letter To A Base ID Card Office And They Will Issue An ID Card To Your Friend And Spouse.
When I Got My 100% Rating The VSO Gave Me Mine And Set Up An Appointment To Get The Card.
It May Not Be Brown Anymore Since Mine Was Issued In 2007 And It’s An Indefinite Expiration Date.
I Am Glad To Help !
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CPT Lawrence Cable
SPC James Neidig - I had to replace mine recently and it was replaced by a Real ID VA card that doesn't show Disability rating or priority group. It just says "VA Healthcare Enrollee Service Connected.
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SPC James Neidig
CPT Lawrence Cable
I Have That One Also , Being 100%
I Also Have The DOD ID Card Which Gets Me All Base Privileges.
But My Son Only Has The VA ID Card And He Gets PX And Commissary Privileges, He Has Not Used Any MWR Privileges .
I Have That One Also , Being 100%
I Also Have The DOD ID Card Which Gets Me All Base Privileges.
But My Son Only Has The VA ID Card And He Gets PX And Commissary Privileges, He Has Not Used Any MWR Privileges .
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if you meet the requirements laid out in the Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018.
https://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Factsheets/expanding-access-fact-sheet.pdf
https://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Factsheets/expanding-access-fact-sheet.pdf
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