USAG Hawaii MWR Patronage Expansion

Effective: January 01, 2020

Section 621 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018), codified at Section 1065 of Title 10, United States Code, expands patronage for commissary, exchange, and revenue-generating Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) facilities on January 1, 2020 for new patron groups.

New user groups eligible solely under this act:

• Veterans who were awarded the Purple Heart

• Veterans who are former prisoners of war

• Veterans with service-connected disabilities (SCD) with VA certified ratings 0-90 percent

• Caregivers or family caregivers of veterans

  • Enrolled as the primary family caregiver in the VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers

  • Eligibility limited to caregiver’s active appointment period (one year; renewable)

• Family members of these new patron groups are not eligible

• Access to facilities located in foreign overseas locations subject to limitations of host nation Status of Forces Agreements (SOFA) and/or other international agreements

What MWR Facilities can be used:

MWR facilities access is limited to Category C retail/revenue generating activities on U.S. military, Defense Logistics Agency, and Coast Guard installations, such as golf courses, marinas, bowling centers, clubs and food and beverage facilities, etc.  MWR programs and facilities supported primarily with appropriated funds are not authorized for access, such as gyms and fitness centers, libraries, child care centers, etc.

What MWR Facilities can be used at USAG Hawaii:

• Arts & Crafts

• Auto

• Conference & Catering

• Recreation

• Social & Dining

• Specialty Services

• Tickets

• Travel & Lodging

Credential Identification Needed to Access MWR Facilities:

The credential identified for SCD veteran access to resale and MWR facilities is the VA issued Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC)

• Eligible Veterans who are eligible to obtain a VHIC must obtain a VHIC marked “SERVICE CONNECTED,” “PURPLE HEART,” or “FORMER POW” from the VA.  
• To check VA health care enrollment eligibility and to enroll, visit a local VA medical facility; call 1-877-222-VETS (8387), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., Eastern Time; or apply online at www.va.gov/healthbenefits/enroll 
• Eligible SCD Veterans who are not currently eligible to obtain a VHIC will initially only have on-line shopping access while the DoD and VA are working on a credential for this special SCD vet group to obtain access to these on-installation privileges.

Caregivers of Veterans:

For installation access and at point of sale, caregivers will need to show an acceptable credential (e.g., REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, U.S. passport) and their primary family caregiver letter.

Cards not  authorized for use under this patronage expansion:

Veterans Identification Card (VIC)– is NOT authorized for use under this patronage expansion.  
State and local issued Veteran’s cards are not valid IDs for the purposes of gaining installation access or access to MWR privileges.

How will new users get access to installations?

To access the installation, Veterans eligible solely under the Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018, who are eligible to obtain a Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC) will present their VHIC at installation access points. 

Upon the first visit to the installation, eligible Veterans must present their VHIC at the visitor control center.

Click here for more USAG Hawaii Installation Access Control Information.

Acceptable form of identification for installation access that must be be paired with the VHIC or caregiver/veteran memos, are outlined in DoD Manual (DoDM) 5200.08 Volume 3 and include:
 

Acceptable credentials may include:

• Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC)
• DoD common access card (CAC)
• DoD uniformed services identification card
• REAL ID-compliant driver’s license issued by a State, territory, possession, or the District of Columbia
• REAL ID-compliant non-driver’s identification card issued by a State, territory, possession, or the District of Columbia
• Enhanced driver’s license issued by a State, territory, possession, or the District of Columbia
• U.S. passport or passport card
• Foreign passport bearing an unexpired immigrant or non-immigrant visa or entry stamp
• Federal personal identity verification card
• Transportation Worker Identification Card

Depending on the type of installation and the acceptable credential presented, Veterans and caregivers may be enrolled for recurring access, which would allow them to proceed to the gate for entry upon subsequent visits.