You’ve earned new benefits at the Exchange, Commissary and MWR! Yes, you. Even if you didn’t hit your full 20 year mark or previously didn’t qualify, you will have access to the Exchange and MWR on base in January 2020.
Exchanges and MWR Opening Up for More Veterans in 2020
Starting January 1, 2020 additional groups of honorably discharged service members and their caregivers will be eligible to make purchases on-base, including at the Exchange, Commissary and MWR. Eligible patrons include:
- Purple Heart recipients
- former POWs
- all service-connected disabled veterans, of all ratings
- caregivers enrolled in the VA’s Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers program
This will allow these individuals access to tax-free or reduced cost goods and entertainment, stretching their budgets further.
Places Open for Expanded Business
Eligible patrons will be able to shop at the Exchanges, Commissary and revenue-generating elements of MWR.
This means that they will not be able to use the gyms, since these are subsidized by the DoD. However, they can patronize MWR-run on base restaurants, movie theaters and golf courses. On base hotels, bowling alleys and other for-profit enterprises are also going to be opened to identified categories of veterans and caregivers.
Things to Know Before Shopping
While you may be able to shop on base, you might also be looking at additional fees if you pay by credit or debit card. Right now, the DoD has a program in place to subsidize the cost of credit or debit transactions at the commissary. However, by law, they cannot cover this fee for the newly eligible beneficiaries.
Instead, they will charge 1.9% in fees for credit card transactions. Debit card transactions will see a 0.5% fee.
However, all newly eligible beneficiaries will be able to apply for the Military Star Card. There are no transaction or processing fees associated with this card, since it is an in-house payment method.
You can also avoid fees by paying with cash or check.
How Many Will Be Served
According to Military.com, the DoD estimates that 3.5 million individuals will become eligible for Exchange, Commissary and MWR benefits in January 1. However, based on demographic data they have determined that around 800,000 will actually take advantage of these benefits.
They expect that veterans and caregivers in Guam, Hawaii and California will be most excited to shop on base.
Getting On Base Again
Access to base is limited, requiring proper identification and/or an authorized pass to move past the gate guards. While some veterans may still have identification that provides base access, many do not.
For veterans, identity will be established by showing the Veterans Health Identification card or VHID. This will grant them access to base and to the qualifying shopping areas or other facilities.
Caregivers should receive a memo granting them access. They will be able to drive onto the base by presenting this memo and their REAL ID identification.
Once on base, veterans and caregivers should head to the visitors center to register their credentials. Following registration, they will be able to access base as if they had a CAC or other DoD ID.
More information will be forthcoming from the Exchange, Defense Commissary Agency and MWR across all services in the coming weeks. Look for promotional materials and information about how to access services and determine your eligibility by January 1.
NEX doesn’t check ID s now who is going to monitor the friends of a caregiver or their kids in the exchange. Where is the security to protect against losses? I see losses going up at the commissary where you already have people buying for unauthorized persons. Shoplifting will be going up and who will end up getting shafted. Me I earned the privilege 21 years at sea on destroyers What is the punishment for a caregivers kid who steals. UCMJ don’t think, so now you will have local sheriffs coming on base to make an arrest. This is not good. The staff at my local commissary is not happy. WILL THEIR BE ADDITIONAL SECURITY?
There’s always at least one person to complain about something even if it’s a good thing. The Federal Government has finally figured out the revenue they’re losing by providing a much needed extension of services to those of us that have honorable discharges and are service connected. Get over it and stop hating! Quite frankly, their about twenty years late and billions of dollars in lost revenue. It’s all about the money, it always is.
You said it thank you
I am really revolted at your comments above. Even though you may have completed 21 years at sea, there are others that have severed less and lost a limbs or have been disfigured and they deserve the same privileges and more. Please don’t look down at the people who have paid like yourself,
Amen!
I’ll bet if somebody gave you a million dollars, you would bitch, “It’s all green and wrinkled!” Give people a break dude, not everybody is bad as you think!
I served 10 years in the Army. 90% disabled, Purple Heart recipient, and current DOD civilian and I cannot use the BX/PX Exchanges because I’m not 100% but Foreign Nationals can use these services when they are visiting or training here. I find it to be completely disrespectful that I cannot use the same service. What kind of Veteran are you that you would want to prevent service connected disabled Veterans from using these services and you think we’re all just going to come in and shoplift? You had the privilege to serve 21 years while I would’ve gladly served 21 years. Thank you for your service by the way.
That DOD ID card that is the difference. I am an 80+20=100% disabled veteran, I have been this way rating for 20 years.
This is good
I think this is awesome and has been a long time coming. Thank you!
This really is a good thing 🙂 In response to a previous comment: As far as caregivers, I agree they should be shopping for the veteran they are taking care of not their own kids and as far as shoplifting, our base exchange has good security and any shoplifter does pay the price whether it be military or civilian and the fines are not light at all..
The Commissary and Exchange both check ID’s here, even self check you have to scan your ID card..
They check at the register at time of purchase. Does your NEX/Commissary check on entry into the store? If so I agree ,you have a great security system in place and I doubt problems. Ours checks at time of purchase only unless a threat level is raised and mandatory ID checks. Please don’t tell me you haven’t seen unauthorized shoppers in the commissary or exchange probably price checking, yeah right.. ..
All I want is ID card check upon entry to prove the shopper is an authorized patron under the new rules.
So, it seems that if you didn’t spend 21 years at sea on a destroyer you didn’t earn the right to shop the exchange, God forbid if you also have kids!
i am thankful to be given these privileges since i have been dealing with my disability acquired from serving my country for many years. Although i am wondering if they are going to have electric disabled shopping carts available & if they are going to add more handicap parking spaces? Additionally, Will we be able to use camping & rv facilities, in addition to the inns & hotels on base? Will we be able to rent cars on base & use the travel services & associated discounts?
I have a Veterans Health Identification card or VHID Vietnam era injury. Have been a camper for years. Question is will wife and I be eligible to use on base campgrounds? I’m hoping so for it is part of the MWR program for vets.
Simply stated, yes!
I tried to make a late 2020 reservation at an MWR hotel. They cancelled it and said they did not know when they would receive guidance on implementation. It’s the law as of Jan 1st, and they have no idea when newly eligible Veterans will be able to use their facilities. By the way, as a Purple Heart disabled vet, it’s offensive to me that some retired military are complaining.
Thanks for everybody that has served in the Military an commented on the subject. I’m thrilled to get this great news it’ll bring more jobs and help veterans.
Have missed military life! Grew up going to Barksdale my Dad retired there. Then my active duty during VietNam Era. Yea, back with fellow soldiers. GOD BLESS AMERICA
I’m only interested in use of the marina, hopefully I can finally access it and rent a slip since it’s run by the mwr. Then I hope I can get on base with a guest in order to get to the boat.
Shopping at the Commissary and PX will help support the new shopping centers that have sprung up around them. At Fort Bliss’, Freedom’s Crossing,’ some stores and restaurants, open to all, are struggling to stay in business. The additional traffic generated by Commissary/PX access to Vets will help them as well. This move will be welcomed by everyone in the same situation as me,…. a 50% disabled former Major with 11 years duty, just looking for a few bargains. I don’t understand the argument. Win Win.
I am a disabled veteran. I golf at many military golf courses in hawaii. Active and retired military golfers get a discounted golf rate but I have to pay the guest rate which is way higher than both active and military golf rates. So a first year military person gets a discount and a retired national guard person also gets discounted rate to golf. A disabled veteran gets no discount,. I feel this is really unfair to a veteran like me who got hurt serving the country and sort of being forgotten by MWR management.
11 year active duty Vietnam name era vet. 10% disability. This new benefit is really great. Used it at MCAS Yuma and really felt good being a part of the service again. I hope it includes rv camping as well as we tour the country and would really appreciate camping with military folks . Both for comraderie and security.
Will this include Navy Lodge, air Force Lodge and Paces like Disney World and the place in Germany. I think they come under MWR in some ploXCes