Veterans and caregivers will have easier access to military installations under a new partnership between the defense and Veterans Affairs departments, DoD announced in a news release.

"The VA-DoD partnership will make it easier for our nation's veterans and their caregivers to more easily access benefits and services on military installations, including VA medical appointments," Tanya Bradsher, deputy secretary of Veterans Affairs, said in the Nov. 15 news release.

The updated process enables eligible veterans and caregivers to enroll and be electronically verified for recurring installation access so they can more easily travel on-post for activities and services such as medical appointments, shopping at commissaries and exchanges and utilizing morale, welfare and recreation services, according to the release.

Eligible caregivers and veterans without a VA-issued Veteran Health Identification Card can enroll at their respective installation’s visitor center using a REAL ID Act-compliant driver’s license or identification card.

Once a Veteran Health Identification Card or REAL ID is enrolled for recurring installation access, veterans and caregivers can go directly to the installation gate to gain access for a period of around one to three years, according to the news release.

Veterans without a Veteran Health Identification Card, and eligible caregivers, do not need to show a VA-issued caregiver patronage letter or service-connected disability letter, or VA health eligibility center form to enroll in installation access. These documents are still needed to access the commissary, exchange or other morale, welfare and recreation services, as those sites cannot electronically verify a person’s eligibility, according to the news release.  

Veterans and caregivers “deserve a smooth experience in accessing installations,” Ashish Vazirani, who is performing the duties of undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said in the news release.

"We are glad to work with the Department of Veterans Affairs on this initiative and look forward to continuing to welcome eligible veterans and VA caregivers to military exchanges and commissaries, and at eligible facilities like golf courses, movie theaters and clubs," Vazirani said.

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