who can use base commissaries?

SrA John Monette — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 13:09:47 -0500

i recently heard that anyone who is at 30% or higher service-connected will be able to use base commissaries in the near future. any validity to that?

Response by SPC Ethan Reddick made Nov 22 at 2019 1:12 PM

SPC Ethan Reddick — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 13:12:18 -0500

What you heard was only partially correct. Commissary and exchange privileges are being extended to new groups of veterans on January 1, 2020.
These are service connected disabled veterans regardless of rating (0-90) since 100% already have the privileges. Purple Heart recipients, former POWs and veteran caregivers. https://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Factsheets/expanding-access-fact-sheet.pdf

expanding-access-fact-sheet.pdf

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2019 1:28 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 13:28:13 -0500

Medically retired service members may use the Commissary. That's where you're getting the 30% number from. Those are SMs who were medically separated and received a 30% disability rating from the Army and were retired as opposed to those who received less than 30% and were medically separated with a severance. That's different than the VA rating you may have received after separation. The medical retirees have a retiree ID.
As of 1 January anyone with any VA rating will be eligible to shop there.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2019 1:45 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 13:45:14 -0500

Starting Jan 2020 if you have a VAIC VA Card you will be allowed to enter a military facility to use commissary and other exchange services.
https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/67974/commissary-military-service-exchange-mwr-access-extended-veterans-beginning-january/

Commissary, Military Service Exchange, and MWR access extended to more Veterans beginning January...

Starting Jan. 1, service-connected Veterans, Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war (POW), and primary caregivers can use commissaries, exchanges, and morale, welfare and recreation (MWR) retail facilities, in-person and online.