Being a disabled veteran who is retired and separated from military service doesn’t necessarily mean having to completely remove oneself from enjoying services available to active duty soldiers and their dependents on military bases across the country and around the world. In certain cases, these benefits remain available to qualified veterans with a disability. If you live close to a base or happen to travel or vacation near a military facility, a visit through the gates may offer financial savings as well as possibly boost to morale and military spirit.

Savings in the Wallet
Due to price and sales tax structures, disabled veterans receive sizable savings on retail goods and services purchased on a military base in any one of several different types of establishments. Commissaries are supermarkets, usually located on military installations, which sell food, sundry and cleaning products for cost plus a five percent surcharge to active duty military, guard and reserve members, retirees and qualified family members. The exchange is the common term for military department and drug store. Post exchanges, base exchanges, Army and Air Force exchange service (AAFES), Navy exchanges, Marine exchanges (NEX), and shoppettes are all examples of military exchange stores, as well.

In addition to the minimum surcharge added to the cost of goods and services, how do shoppers save by heading to the base? The answer is simple. There is no sales tax added at checkout so overall savings typically exceed those offered by discounted retailers and “big box” stores. While savings on larger goods such as appliances, stereos and digital cameras may appear obvious, savings on other items such as discounted gasoline, are significant, too.

Your ID is the Key
Your military identification card is your ticket to savings. It is an essential part of accessing benefits on a military base. Without it, you may not be able to get on base, visit the exchange or commissary or obtain other services including morale, welfare and recreation privileges.

The Department of Defense (DoD) uses a system referred to as the Real Time Automated Personnel Identification System (RAPIDS) to issue ID Cards. The laws that authorize commissary privileges grant privileges only to those who are recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, or who have been certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as 100% disabled in connection with military service. If you are unaware of your disability rating, you should get in touch with personnel at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to find out what you have to do to have VA certify your disability. 

If VA certifies you as having 100% disability in connection with military service, VA will send you a letter indicating that you are entitled to commissary privileges. You must take this VA letter to a Pass and ID Office on a military installation to have ID issued that will authorize you to shop in commissaries.

Eligible family members may also share the same rights and privileges by obtaining their own military identification card or by accompanying you on a visit to a base.

Kick up Your MWR
In addition to savings in the wallet, a visit to an active duty base may also help boost morale and reignite a connection to your days in uniform by connecting with the base Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Department. MWR activities often include arts and crafts facilities, bowling centers, golf courses, libraries, outdoor recreation, recreation centers, youth centers activities and recreation membership clubs.

Department of Defense regulations permit an authorized patron to bring guests into a commissary during shopping visits, as well. In addition to having an extra hand to assist with shopping, this may allow you to reignite military spirit and interact with those who continue to wear the uniform in defense of freedom. 

Helpful Links and Information
To find a listing of Commissaries in your area, please visit www.commissaries.com.

Since not all military installations have the ability to use RAPIDS, check with your local command or unit administration office for a list of ID Card issuing locations or visit the RAPIDS site locator at http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/owa/home.

Family members and eligible dependents are required to report to a RAPIDS ID Card issuing site in order to be issued the appropriate ID card.

See Related Articles
Read Find a Veteran Service Organization That’s Right for You to learn more about veteran service organizations that offer veteran support.

See Community-Based Educational Programs Support Disabled Veterans and Families for more information about holistic treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other side effects while on duty.