The Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018 and John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 allows for specific veterans and caregivers access to Department of Defense and Coast Guard installations to use exchanges, commissaries and some MWR facilities/privileges beginning January 1, 2020.  

ELIGIBLE PATRONS:

• Purple Heart recipients
• Former Prisoners of War
• Veterans with service-connected disabilities with VA certified ratings 0-90 percent
• Primary family caregivers for veterans enrolled in the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

• For Veterans:
  • Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) displaying eligibility category
  • State issued driver's license or REALID card
  • Proof of insurance
  • Vehicle registration
• For Caregivers
  • Eligibility documents from the VA
  • State issued driver's license or REALID card
  • Proof of insurance
  • Vehicle registration

INSTALLATION ACCESS:

Prior to obtaining expanded privileges, patrons must complete and pass a background check. This procedure may take more than 20 minutes to complete based on how busy the NAS Whiting Field Pass and ID office is and extent of the background report required. 

Veterans with felony convictions, felony arrest warrants or other types of derogatory information related to criminal history will not be permitted entry. 

For assistance with documents or eligibility, please visit the US Department of Veterans Affairs website: 

VA website: 

Or call: 1-877-222-VETS (8387)