Posted on May 6, 2017
Should all veterans receive official veteran ID cards and free passports?
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I also think that we have gone all over the world for our country why cant the veterans get free passports by just taking our DD-214 to the pass port office with the filled out application. In reality what would it cost the government to give Veterans this as a perk?
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 12
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I'll nitpick the passport idea. Be careful about grubbing around for more entitlement. If Joe American knew all the stuff Vets and especially retired get, backlash is likely. Support of Vets is a cultural concept thing, not an analytical decision knowing all the bennies out there. VA and TriCare are astute in posting the medical services meet ObamaCare Minimums. It is vastly more service at a vastly cheaper (free) price. So if you rub people's noses in it that have to shell out $1200/mo for their family of four, then you just created an Anti-Veter. The other notion is what the heck more are you owed? You sign up on current contract, perform your time, and receive what you signed up for. How did you get hosed? The recent expansion of BX/NEX online sales to Vets has much more to do with the "Ka-ching Factor" in improving the financial side of the equation. Didn't see any particular bleeding heart initiative out there for doing more for the Vets although that's how they spin it.
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Sgt (Join to see)
CAPT Kevin B. I agree. When I was discharged in 1972, there were no perks. I appreciate the things that are available now.
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SPC Jeffrey Reese
This is what I said on another post concerning veterans day discounts. I rarely mention that I am a Veteran. When asked I do state that I am a veteran and some times I will mention I am a service connected disabled Veteran. For my part I went in and did my job, it wasn't for praise or for a slap on the back it was to follow a tradition of service and to fulfill a duty to my country I felt we all owe. The only thing I have ever expected from my time in service was what I was promised when I enlisted nothing more and nothing less. I't isn't that I am ashamed of my time in service far from it, it is just that I did my time in service for my beliefs and what I felt is right not to boast to others or for free meals once a year. The only reason I don't think that my service is to be a banner announcement there are to many hero's not coming home to get their slap on the back or free meals or discounts. When they personally get theirs I will be happy to talk more freely about what I might get. You can look it up if you like the only reason I have brought any of these questions to light wasn't for me but for another veteran. I have a Passport have had for quite a while and I have my disabled veterans card. By the way I am also the youngest of 4 brothers (3 Vietnam and era)that have served 2 have passed so far from service related issues and I am 100% service connected disabled.
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SSG Jenny Meshulam-Bernardi
Might want to fact chevk an re evaluate what you posted. Then again you're an officer. They have always catered snd babied the officers.
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A personal passport is for personal travel. I do not see a need for this to be paid for by the taxpayers.
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SPC Jeffrey Reese
As I have said before the question was on behalf of another veteran. As far as the cost that could be recouped by cutting the spending on illegals.
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MAJ Raúl Rovira
LCpl Shane Couch - Thank you for bringing that up. Yes, Passports are usually good for 10 years.
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MAJ Raúl Rovira
Cynthia Croft - Cynthia, thanks for the note. So far so good. Rolling along with life.
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Personally I don't think we need free passports. That's not why I signed the dotted line. I just want them to keep the promises they made when I joined - that's enough.
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SPC Jeffrey Reese
Personally I agree and have for years but you have to fight them tooth and nail to get them to do it. The above question was asked on behalf of another veteran. But I do think they should all have the ID card instead of having to drag out their DD-214 for every thing.
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Is there a reason you cannot pay for your own passport? If you need one you are likely contemplating international travel which can be expensive. Paying for a passport should not be a big deal. A passport is around $110.00. If veterans get their for free then others will need to pay more. How is that fair or reasonable.
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Cpl Jeff N.
SPC Jeffrey Reese - Pay your own way Jeff, it isn't that hard. I would agree with most of the areas you listed about government wasting money on illegals and all kinds of other entitlement programs. You (and others) just want more free stuff from the government. You choose to call them perks. If you got something you didn't pay for it is an entitlement. In order for you to get something for free from the government someone else must pay for it. That is the point Jeff. It is really pretty simple.
If this was on behalf of someone else, why didn't you just offer to pay for his passport? No need to get huffy with me because I don't want the government giving out more free services to those that can pay for them.
If this was on behalf of someone else, why didn't you just offer to pay for his passport? No need to get huffy with me because I don't want the government giving out more free services to those that can pay for them.
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SPC Jeffrey Reese
I do and I have had my Passport for 17 years. If you read what I written the question was asked on behalf of another veteran. You was pointing out how the tax payer would be upset to pay for veterans Passports I pointed out they are more upset paying for the stuff I pointed out than they would veterans passports. My self I could care less about the passports the main thing I would like to see is the veterans ID cards for all veterans. The reason for the question was for my brother that passed not long ago who happened to be a Marine.
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MAJ Raúl Rovira
LCpl Shane Couch - In the state of Alaska the DMV can issue a license with a US Flag to identify Veterans. Alaska is a very veteran friendly state. http://doa.alaska.gov/dmv/akol/military.htm
Describes the services for veterans and active duty military personnel from the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles
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SGT Joe Szatkowski
Texas also takes care of us Veterans in a Excellent way! More states need to do this...
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SPC Jeffrey Reese Veterans are supposed to be able to obtain ID Cards in 2017. I have not seen a timeframe when this will happen or what the fee will be. Per the VA website, "the VA identification card will allow Veterans to demonstrate proof of service for discounts at private restaurants and businesses. It should be noted that the identification card is different from a Veteran Health Identification card or a DoD Uniformed Services or retiree ID card. As such, the VA identification cards cannot be used as proof of eligibility to any federal benefits and does not grant access to military installations."
https://nvf.org/getting-veteran-id-card/
http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/26568/veteran-id-cards-options/
https://nvf.org/getting-veteran-id-card/
http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/26568/veteran-id-cards-options/
Getting a Veteran ID Card from the VA, State Agencies or DoD
Information about how to get a Veteran ID card from the DoD, Department of Veteran Affairs, or state verified veteran status.
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SPC Jeffrey Reese
This is what I said on another post concerning veterans day discounts. I rarely mention that I am a Veteran. When asked I do state that I am a veteran and some times I will mention I am a service connected disabled Veteran. For my part I went in and did my job, it wasn't for praise or for a slap on the back it was to follow a tradition of service and to fulfill a duty to my country I felt we all owe. The only thing I have ever expected from my time in service was what I was promised when I enlisted nothing more and nothing less. I't isn't that I am ashamed of my time in service far from it, it is just that I did my time in service for my beliefs and what I felt is right not to boast to others or for free meals once a year. The only reason I don't think that my service is to be a banner announcement there are to many hero's not coming home to get their slap on the back or free meals or discounts. When they personally get theirs I will be happy to talk more freely about what I might get. You can look it up if you like the only reason I have brought any of these questions to light wasn't for me but for another veteran I have a Passport have had for quite a while and I have my disabled veterans card.
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Hmm...
Perhaps a nation Veteran ID card would be useful. I know some state issued driver's licenses & ID cards have Veteran designations on them, but not all do.
Though as much as I would like not having to pay for a passport, when it comes to spiffs earned by veterans, I'm not sure where the line must be drawn, but it HAS to be drawn somewhere. We get some good benefits, and some measure of recognition and privilege for the unique nature of our service to this country I do feel are due, but we are still members of society, not a higher caste.
Opinions differ of course, but at what point do benefits for veterans begin and where do they stop? What's owed, and what isn't? I don't have those answers, but they need be asked.
Perhaps a nation Veteran ID card would be useful. I know some state issued driver's licenses & ID cards have Veteran designations on them, but not all do.
Though as much as I would like not having to pay for a passport, when it comes to spiffs earned by veterans, I'm not sure where the line must be drawn, but it HAS to be drawn somewhere. We get some good benefits, and some measure of recognition and privilege for the unique nature of our service to this country I do feel are due, but we are still members of society, not a higher caste.
Opinions differ of course, but at what point do benefits for veterans begin and where do they stop? What's owed, and what isn't? I don't have those answers, but they need be asked.
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SPC Jeffrey Reese
The main part of the question was meant to be for the ID the Passport was a side bar both was a question asked on behalf of another veteran who happened to pass away a couple weeks ago.
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I don't see the point to either thing. VA already gives you a card. As far as the passport goes, I don't think the taxpayers should pay for that. You would be using that for personal travel and that should not be subsidized by the taxpayer.
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SPC Jeffrey Reese
The Point of the ID card is to be like the military ID but to take the place of your DD-214 when you need to show that you have been in the service. It wouldn't get you any benefits other than you are entitled to. But it would be another form of photo ID. As far as being subsidized by the tax payer then they need to quit giving quite so much away to the illegals crossing the border to cover the cost.
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SGT David T.
SPC Jeffrey Reese - VA already gives out photo ID cards. Also several states have something like this. Regardless of the funding source, it would still be tax money. I am opposed to using tax money to subsidize someone's private travel.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
There was a point in time service member were issued a wallet sized discharge certificate, in addition regular discharge papers (Now the DD Form 214) it contained No picture however. Perhaps bring this practice back and If it were supplemented by a picture ID such as a driver license or even better being issued with a picture already on it.
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I do agree we put our lives and some gave theirs to protect our way of life
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Veterans should not have to pay for US Passports, I feel our Government And our Country owe it to Veterans to provide free passports for serving their country.
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