JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Joint Base Charleston will be expanding patronage privileges for select veterans to access commissaries, Exchanges and select Morale, Welfare and Recreation facilities effective January 1, 2020.
Access will be given only to veterans who are recipients of the Purple Heart, veterans who are recipients of the Medal of Honor, veterans who are former prisoners of war, veterans with service-connected disabilities and caregivers or family caregivers for veterans on the same basis as a member of the armed forces entitled to retired or retainer pay.
This change is in alignment with the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security’s initiative to expand such privileges to various military sites across the Unites States in accordance with the Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018.
Newly eligible Veterans who have been issued a Veteran Health Identification Card from the Department of Veterans Affairs may register their VHIC with the JB Charleston visitor control center to gain installation entry as well as access to commissaries, Exchanges and select MWR facilities. To be eligible for privileges, the VHIC must display the Veteran’s eligibility status (i.e., PURPLE HEART, FORMER POW, or SERVICE CONNECTED).
Veterans eligible solely under this act who are not enrolled in or are not eligible to enroll in VA health care, or who are enrolled in VA health care, but do not possess a VHIC will not have access to JB Charleston for the aforementioned privileges but will have full access to online exchanges and American Forces Travel.
Joint Base Charleston encourages all local veterans to visit www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vhic for information regarding eligibility for the VHIC and the application process.
For additional information regarding VHIC eligibility and requirements, please contact the VA at (888) 878-6884 or visit www.charleston.va.gov.
For additional information regarding JB Charleston, please call the JB Charleston Public Affairs Office at (843) 963-5608.