Page 9 - Armed Forces Directory - Aberdeen Proving Ground

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

To enroll for reoccurring installation access, eligible Veterans and caregivers must
establish identity, fitness, and purpose on their first visit to each DOD installation
they wish to access at the visitor’s center. As part of enrollment, they must:

1. Present an acceptable credential VHIC or REAL ID to establish identity.
2. Undergo an on-the-spot criminal record and terrorism check to establish fitness.
3. Have their eligibility for on-installation benefits verified electronically to
establish purpose. If purpose is for health care, and the DOD installation does
not have a commissary, exchange, or authorized MWR service, then proof of
appointment will need to be provided.

Following enrollment, the Veteran or eligible caregivers can access the installation
by presenting the same VHIC or REAL ID they enrolled with to gain access at
the installation gate. Enrollment is typically valid for one to three years, or one
year after the last visit to the given installation. If a patron’s VHIC or REAL ID
expires, they will need to reenroll with their new VHIC or REAL ID. Termination
of a patron’s eligibility will automatically result in the termination of installation
access enrollment.

Veterans who do not have a VHIC and eligible caregivers will still need to provide
a hard copy letter (a VA-issued caregiver patronage letter, VA-issued service-
connected disability letter, or a VA Health Eligibility Center Form H623A) to
show eligibility to the commissary, exchange, or authorized MWR services, as
these facilities cannot electronically verify eligibility. Currently — for purposes
of MWR, commissary, and exchange shopping — eligible caregivers are those
who are approved and designated as a primary family caregiver of an eligible
Veteran under VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers.

Recently, VA and DOD’s continued partnership has increased health care access
for Veterans in Alabama, the Gulf Coast and Tampa regions of Florida, Kentucky,
New York’s Hudson Valley, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Learn more about commissary and exchange privileges for Veterans. Veterans
with additional questions are encouraged to contact their local installation for
further assistance or visit www.militaryonesource.mil.

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