Posted on Jul 6, 2015
GOOD IDEA? Veterans ID Cards could replace DD-214. Bill Passes House & Senate
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Share your thoughts on a Veterans ID Card replacing the DD Form 214.
On Monday, the U.S. Senate amended and passed with unanimous consent a bill from a Florida congressman which ensures every veteran receives an ID card from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs without burdening taxpayers. The House passed the bill last month with 402 representatives backing it and no votes cast against it.
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., introduced the Veterans ID Card Act earlier this year. Buchanan’s bill would ensure all veterans receive ID cards from the VA instead of just those who served 20 years in the armed forces or are seeking medical treatment for service-related wounds.
In pushing his bill in recent months, Buchanan has noted veterans are forced to carry DD-214 paperwork, which contains sensitive information including Social Security numbers, and an ID card would be more convenient and would do a better job of keeping their personal information secure.
“A simple, standardized ID card will make life easier for our veterans and serve as a reminder that our brave service men and women deserve all the respect a grateful nation can offer," Buchanan said on Tuesday.
Buchanan insisted his bill was budget neutral since veterans who opted for the ID card would have a small fee which the VA secretary would examine every five years.
http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/buchanans-bill-replace-dd-214-veterans-id-card-passes-senate-without-opposition
On Monday, the U.S. Senate amended and passed with unanimous consent a bill from a Florida congressman which ensures every veteran receives an ID card from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs without burdening taxpayers. The House passed the bill last month with 402 representatives backing it and no votes cast against it.
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., introduced the Veterans ID Card Act earlier this year. Buchanan’s bill would ensure all veterans receive ID cards from the VA instead of just those who served 20 years in the armed forces or are seeking medical treatment for service-related wounds.
In pushing his bill in recent months, Buchanan has noted veterans are forced to carry DD-214 paperwork, which contains sensitive information including Social Security numbers, and an ID card would be more convenient and would do a better job of keeping their personal information secure.
“A simple, standardized ID card will make life easier for our veterans and serve as a reminder that our brave service men and women deserve all the respect a grateful nation can offer," Buchanan said on Tuesday.
Buchanan insisted his bill was budget neutral since veterans who opted for the ID card would have a small fee which the VA secretary would examine every five years.
http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/buchanans-bill-replace-dd-214-veterans-id-card-passes-senate-without-opposition
Posted in these groups: 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 100
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VA already issues an ID card to veterans for identification for admin/med services. Why appropriate more $$$ for something out there?
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SSG Willis Baker
My point exactly. It's time agencies talk to each other to accomplish a task. By the way, that is an old VA card. The new ones have been out for a year now.
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SP5 Joel O'Brien
Methinks it's not done anymore, but when I separated I was given a laminated wallet-sized copy of my DD-214. I've carried it since getting out in 1976. Granted, you need a magnifying glass to read it, but...
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SSG Mike Angelo
Not all States are Veteran friendly. This may lead to the reason why the Veterans Administration's in those States are organizationally dysfunctional.
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This sounds like a great idea, I carry a digital copy of my 214 on my mobile device, but this sounds better.
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SGM Matthew Quick, after thinking about the issues surrounding ID cards, I think one of the primary purposes of the bill to make available the opportunity for each veteran who has no other form of military or veteran ID to get picture ID card which includes no other sensitive information like birth day, SSN, military service number, etc. There has been a lot of concern about skimming information from credit cards etc., and misusing information provided by the elderly. This card could be handed to a vendor without concern of serious misuse.
There will be no chip included like a CAC with service related or medical issues information that could be compromised.
Unfortunately state drivers licenses which have veteran status on them include a lot of other personal information that could be misused in the process of a veteran taking it out of a wallet or purse and handing it to a vendor. PO3 Nichalas Enser, SFC Terry Murphy, MSgt Ronald Stacy, MSG Ramon Hidalgo-Acosta, LTC Yinon Weiss, SGM (Join to see), SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL, LtCol Matthew Sutton, SFC (Join to see), SSG (Join to see), PO1 John Miller, MSgt Allan Folsom, SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S.
There will be no chip included like a CAC with service related or medical issues information that could be compromised.
Unfortunately state drivers licenses which have veteran status on them include a lot of other personal information that could be misused in the process of a veteran taking it out of a wallet or purse and handing it to a vendor. PO3 Nichalas Enser, SFC Terry Murphy, MSgt Ronald Stacy, MSG Ramon Hidalgo-Acosta, LTC Yinon Weiss, SGM (Join to see), SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL, LtCol Matthew Sutton, SFC (Join to see), SSG (Join to see), PO1 John Miller, MSgt Allan Folsom, SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S.
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PO1 John Miller
LTC Stephen F., I agree that's a good idea but at the same time isn't some type of personally identifiable information (full name and date of birth at a minimum) required on what is considered a "valid form of identification?"
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This would be an outstanding idea if it complimented rather than replaced the DD214. The DD214 is used to verify deployment dates, awards & decs and other information in greater detail than can be placed on an ID card. While it is true that such information could be encoded into a QR, bar code or chip on the card, few places outside the government would have the equipment to read or decipher the encryption quickly.
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Gee. If we can do this maybe we can move on to voter ID....just kidding...every soldier who honorably serves should have an ID; most are subject to recall until age 62 last I read various laws. It would be nice to have a single ID rather than one for VA, one for retired, etc.
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Great ideal, I got one and love the discount benefits that come with the card.
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CPL(P) Bret Farritor
I believe it is critical to point out this is NOT intended to REPLACE the DD-214.
Nor should it be (as I have seen here) confused with the US DVA Card currently in use with those enrolled within the VA's Health Administration (receiving care and or eligible to through the VA).
This is a 'cost neutral', meaning a small fee will be assessed to the Veteran at the time of application, way of providing a portable, Federally issued ID Card for Title 38 Veterans who are NOT a Retiree and or Eligible/Enrolled within the VA Healthcare System.
Similar concepts are in use on a state level, such as New York which will at no cost to the Veteran annotate 'VETERAN' on their Driver or ID Card.
Both will require presentation of DD-214/positive verification of service.
Could ANY card be stolen, forged, etc.? OF COURSE! Passports, Birth Certificates, Driver Licenses, Credit Cards and yes as we have all seen, a DD-214 can and have been forged.
Will this contain all of your data points contained within your DD-214? NO! That is one of the reasons for the Card to begin with.
Can a Veteran present a Card and claim to be a SF Astronaut with 186 confirmed kills with a P-38? Yes, and nothing will ever prevent that.
Nor should it be (as I have seen here) confused with the US DVA Card currently in use with those enrolled within the VA's Health Administration (receiving care and or eligible to through the VA).
This is a 'cost neutral', meaning a small fee will be assessed to the Veteran at the time of application, way of providing a portable, Federally issued ID Card for Title 38 Veterans who are NOT a Retiree and or Eligible/Enrolled within the VA Healthcare System.
Similar concepts are in use on a state level, such as New York which will at no cost to the Veteran annotate 'VETERAN' on their Driver or ID Card.
Both will require presentation of DD-214/positive verification of service.
Could ANY card be stolen, forged, etc.? OF COURSE! Passports, Birth Certificates, Driver Licenses, Credit Cards and yes as we have all seen, a DD-214 can and have been forged.
Will this contain all of your data points contained within your DD-214? NO! That is one of the reasons for the Card to begin with.
Can a Veteran present a Card and claim to be a SF Astronaut with 186 confirmed kills with a P-38? Yes, and nothing will ever prevent that.
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Makes sense SGM Matthew Quick .... I did not know veterans, entitled to VA care did not have an idea...
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