NEWS | Jan. 1, 2020

Utah Military Stores, Recreation Facilities Now Open to Veterans

By Utah’s Department of Veterans and Military Affairs State Public Affairs Office

The Department of Defense (DOD) recently announced expanded commissary, exchange and morale, welfare and recreation retail eligibility beginning on Jan. 1, 2020.

Who is eligible?
Expanded access is now available to military installations across the state of Utah for the following patrons:

  • Purple Heart recipients
  • Former prisoners of war
  • Veterans with 0-100% service-connected disability ratings
  • Medal of Honor recipients
  • Individuals approved and designated as the primary family caregivers of eligible veterans under the Department of Veterans Affairs Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers

Veterans include former members of any of the uniformed services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, U.S. Public Health Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), including former Reserves and National Guard who are a Purple Heart recipient, former POW or are service-connected.

For veterans with questions about filing a claim or in need of claims assistance, please contact the Utah Department of Veterans & Military Affairs (UDVMA) offers no-cost claims assistance. To schedule an appointment, please call (801) 326-2372 or email veterans@utah.gov.

Facilities
Under this new program, eligible individuals may now access military facilities such as:

  • Commissaries
  • Military service exchanges
  • Golf courses
  • Bowling centers
  • Recreational lodging
  • RV campgrounds
  • Movie theaters
  • Other select recreational facilities and activities

 

Required Credentials
Beginning Jan. 1, 2020, Veterans must possess a Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) that states their eligible status—such as Purple Heart recipient, former POW or service-connected—below the photo on the front of the card.

Visit https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vhic for information regarding eligibility for the VHIC and the application process.

If an eligible Veteran is not eligible to obtain a VHIC, the VA Health Eligibility Center Form H623A indicating placement in VA health care priority group 8E, paired with an acceptable credential, like a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or U.S. passport, will be accepted. Please note that all IDs must list the same name.

Caregivers must possess an eligibility letter from the VA Office of Community Care that lists them as the Primary Family Caregiver for an eligible Veteran under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, paired with an acceptable credential like a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or a U.S. passport.

Additional Information and Frequently Asked Questions

For Frequently Asked Questions or more detailed information, please refer to the Military One Source Expanded Access at Commissaries, Exchanges and Recreation Facilities – Fact Sheet here.

For more information on expanded access, call Military One Source at 1-800-342-9647.

 

Additional Resources

Commissaries

Exchange

Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR)

 

Your Career Starts Here

Tips to survive, gifts, family, and mandatory fun
By Keith Garner | Dec. 19, 2023
The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy and celebration, but for some of us, they can also be a source of stress and sadness. Maybe you’re going through a tough time, such as a loss of a loved one, a divorce, a health...

ACUB
Army Compatible Use Buffer A Valued Partnership
By | Nov. 21, 2023
The cities of Saratoga Springs and Herriman joined the Utah National Guard at a small event hosted at Camp Williams on Oct. 4, 2023. The event recognized the immense work and partnership that enabled the purchase of over 10...

Master Sgt. Justin Cordero leads a Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness (resilience) class for Soldiers assigned to the 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade at Camp Williams, Utah, June 2, 2023. Cordero is a Resilience Training Assistant for the 204th. (US Army Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Rich Stowell)
Learning Optimism Is a Battle Drill Soldiers are on the for good stuff.
By | Nov. 21, 2023
Every month, they attend classes where they learn skills like optimism, self-regulation, and mental agility...

2023 Utah National Guard Counterdrug Conference EXSUM
By | Nov. 21, 2023
2023 Utah National Guard Counterdrug Conference exercise summery...

Utah Air National Guard members participate in Arbinger training
Utah Air National Guard participates in Arbinger training
By Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Perez | Nov. 3, 2023
In a classroom at the Utah Air National Guard Base, a group of Servicemembers were asked: What would be possible if you and your organization were more outward?The Servicemembers, with varying levels of rank and professional...

Utah Air National Guard members participate in Arbinger training
Utah Air National Guard participates in Arbinger training
By Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Perez | Nov. 3, 2023
In a classroom at the Utah Air National Guard Base, a group of Servicemembers were asked: What would be possible if you and your organization were more outward?The Servicemembers, with varying levels of rank and professional...

In a significant assumption of command and promotion ceremony held on 14 October 2023, Colonel G. Chris Buckner was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and assumed command of the Utah Air National Guard, also serving as the Assistant Adjutant General for Air of the Utah National Guard.
Brigadier General G. Chris Buckner Assumes Command of the Utah Air National Guard in Prestigious Ceremony
By Master Sgt. Colton Elliott | Oct. 16, 2023
In a significant assumption of command and promotion ceremony held on 14 October 2023, Colonel G. Chris Buckner was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and assumed command of the Utah Air National Guard, also serving as...

204th MEB Soldiers Get Battle Ready for Africom Deployment
By Sgt. 1st Class Rich Stowell | Aug. 22, 2023
 “Contact! Contact!” Soldiers yell out to each other as they begin to take simulated fire from up the hill.It was part of a week-long training event for the 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade at Camp Williams, Utah. They call...

Freedom Academy delegates perform a customized group chant at Camp Williams on the morning of July 20th, 2023. Since 1961 the Utah National Guard and Honorary Colonels Corps have sponsored Freedom Academy, providing a challenging and engaging environment designed to teach high school leaders from across Utah the importance of freedom and highlight the military and governmental functions that are critical to its survival.
Utah National Guard hosts Freedom Academy 2023
By Sgt. Christine Hoskins | July 20, 2023
High school students from across the state of Utah assembled at Camp Williams for a week of learning, honing leadership skills, developing friendships, finding deeper purpose, and solidifying their understanding of freedom,...

Senior Airman Kevin Buckner (middle), fire protection with the 151st Civil Engineering Squadron, Utah National Guard, carries a pineapple while rucking more than six miles for the mystery event during the Region VII Best Warrior Competition on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu, May 7-11, 2023. The Best Warrior Competition is an annual Army-sponsored event designed to measure the Soldier’s physical fitness, mental acuity, and demonstrated skill in warrior tasks and battle drills. The Soldier and Noncommisioned Officer of the Year for the region will advance to the All Guard National Best Warrior Competition in Alaska.
Utah Airman keeps up with region’s top Soldiers at Best Warrior Competition
By Staff Sgt. Jordan Hack | May 12, 2023
Senior Airman Kevin Buckner, a fire protection journeyman with the 151st Civil Engineering Squadron, winner of the Soldier of the Year category at this year’s Utah National Guard Best Warrior Competition, impressed everyone...