Where did this question come from?

Since I am new to this please do NOT take offense to this, I am just curious for the reason for the poll as well.

I was under the impression that ONLY retirees and their dependents could have BX/Commissary privileges.

With that being said, I would like to think that if someone is disabled....they should have privileges.  Heck they served, they were injured or disabled during military service to the country, and have been rated as such.  I am sure this will open a can of worms with some people and I can see some arguments against....too many folks in the BX/Commissary, they did not retire, etc.....

Interesting question....I am not sure what the current policy is.  I do not know if you separate with a disability if you get an ID card but that may be part of the equation.

Only Jbasser can answer this question but I will give it a shot. There is always going to be disagreements. There are some people that just like to disagree, they have their opinions and they choose to express it.

Because there are certain Vets that vote against this bill.

I don't know why. It would be beneficial to everyone. I have an exchange two blocks away.

DH


QUOTE (MikeR @ Sep 14 2009, 09:16 AM) [img]http://www.hadit.com/forums/style_images/patriot_ga1173887710/post_snapback.gif[/img]They float this every couple of years, and it never passes. I would be surprised if it happens.

Only a vote is needed. it is a poll.
The reason for the poll is the current bill being considered.

There may be a lot of negative or posative views of this issue. A poll is the best way to post it so each individual can express his yes or no without being chastised by the general population.

Hope this explains it.

J

Veterans who are rated 100% or TDIU P&T are eleigible for orange ID Cards for the use of base facilities, they can NOT utilize Space A flights, I understand there is an exception for Coast Guard planes anyone with an ID card can use them

There are some people that think people with 0% rated issues and any disability rating are eligible for base priviliges, unitl Congress changes the laws allowing lower rated percentages to use base facilities then anyone less than IU or 100$ schedular are out of luck.....with all of the BRAC closures there is already strain on existing facilities, it's another way for the government to pit one set of veterans against other sets of veterans......the never ending fight

The entire bill sumitted in March 2009

HR 1818 IH
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1818
To amend title 10, United States Code, to extend military commissary and exchange store privileges to veterans with a compensable service-connected disability and to their dependents.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 31, 2009
Mr. BURTON of Indiana (for himself, Mrs. MILLER of Michigan, Mr. LOBIONDO, Mr. ROHRABACHER, Mr. COURTNEY, Mr. RODRIGUEZ, Mr. LATTA, and Mrs. MCMORRIS RODGERS) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A BILL
To amend title 10, United States Code, to extend military commissary and exchange store privileges to veterans with a compensable service-connected disability and to their dependents.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Disabled Veterans Commissary and Exchange Store Benefits Act’.
SEC. 2. COMMISSARY AND EXCHANGE STORE PRIVILEGES FOR DISABLED VETERANS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS.

(a) Extension of Privileges- Chapter 54 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
‘Sec. 1065. Use of commissary and exchange stores: disabled veterans and their dependents

‘(a) Disabled Veterans- A veteran with a compensable service-connected disability shall be permitted to use commissary and exchange stores on the same basis as a member of the Armed Forces entitled to retired or retainer pay.
‘( Dependents- A dependent of a veteran described in subsection (a) shall be permitted to use commissary and exchange stores on the same basis as a dependent of a member of the Armed Forces entitled to retired or retainer pay.
‘© Definitions- In this section, the terms ‘veteran’ and ‘service-connected’ have the meanings given those terms in section 101 of title 38.’.
( Clerical Amendment- The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

‘1065. Use of commissary and exchange stores: disabled veterans and their dependents.’.
© Effective Date- Section 1065 of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect at the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.

This bill is very large, and loading it may cause your web browser to perform sluggishly, or even freeze. This is especially true for old and/or bad browsers. As an alternative you can download the PDF of the bill or read the text on THOMAS.

Continue on to the bill...

Thanks everyone....

I did not even know that there was a bill up on this!  Thanks for posting it and giving me some background!  Totally comprehend the rationale for the poll!!!

I think all vets should retain the privelege of shopping at the PX and commissary. It seems like it would make good financial sense for the facility, and it would be somewhat helpful to the vets (the PX savings aren't that great).

Testvet: I've never seen a orange ID card. Is this something new? Mine is tan and looks exactly like the dependent ID cards did in the early 1990's.

I asked the ID folks at WPAFB recently about getting the new Orange ID card and they told me no. They said it didn't exist!! Guess I'll ask again.

Testvet: I've never seen a orange ID card. Is this something new? Mine is tan and looks exactly like the dependent ID cards did in the early 1990's.


I think all MWR cards are tan colored, brown colored or orange colored, it depends on how your eyes see it but they are all the same card

This bill is a biggie, affects taxes of local communities. No answers here, but if you grocery shop on the first of the month, take a rolling seat and plugin freezer along. Or skip the lines attend the disabled early morning opening hour. BX is tax free, baskin robbins is nice.

p.s. During active duty reup time, I heard about the great retiree benefits - privileged access to base exchange and commissary, free lifetime medical care, access to MoraleWelfareRecreation facilities (Gym, FamilyCamp, bicycle and fishin' pole rentals, etc), JAG office support, SGLI seamless conversion into VGLI (?) and Space 'A' flights and Space 'A' billeting. Oh, I recieve a small taxable retirement pension minus my 'additional' payments(deductions) for survivors benefits to that small amount; and other deductions for health careinsurance and the VA 'withholding' their own 'nonpayment' - I paid myself for many years before CRDP.

It looks like the bill is sitting in committee.... Many a good bill die there without ever going to the house to vote...

I plan to write my congressman...

We used to have a Veteran that no longer posts who worked for the Post Exchange System till he became to disabled to work. He always claimed that the more Veterans who use it the better it is.

I agree with Testvet. My ID card is tan also. It would be ideal to give all sc disabled veterans the priviledge but according to your rating one might not have enough funds to pay the cost of using the BX/PX. Everybody doesn't have the same financial status. What I feel would be the greater need would be to give sc veterans more funds per rating. Just my opinion.

Ok as a military retired aka ROF (what the young GIS call us retired old Folks.) I disagree with any service connected useing the BX/PX or any base facuiltes. I would like to see anybody 50 percent or higher get base use. The VA rates 50 percent or higher priorty 1. Let anybody priorty 1 have the benfits.

Jim

I have a different take on the subject, and it is not well accepted.

I think anyone who is not active duty, retired or a dependent should be allowed a ID card, commissary or BX/PX.. Why should someone who did 3 years with 10% be entitled to the same benefits as someone who retired?


Why, it simple I look at these as retirement benefits.

I think that if you have a disability rating and it is serviced connected with a honorable discharge one should have this benefit.

I served 2 years and am 100%. I don't really care one way or another whether I have a card or not. I do use it to get a few discounts. My card is tan and does not have an expiration date.

The card (whatever colour you decide to call it) is Department of Defense Card # DD Form 2765.

I think that if you have an honorable discharge and have a service connected disability you should have a card.

I think the Benefit to the AAFES system or other Military system would be increased traffic in the stores and the result should be greater volume in sales. Just like WallyWorld, if you can sell more, you can buy and sell it cheaper. Everyone benefits from cheaper prices.

I wonder if disabled vetes could fly Space A with this new bill?

My ID card is blue, no expiration date, very old. Chapter 61, Title 10 retiree. I am most impressed with MWR access

At the Dallas VA any one who uses the VA can use the PX and also order online. They have a poster in front calling it a new benefit for patients and their families.

After all it is just a business and the prices are not that good either.

Kind of sad a disabled vet (less than 100%) can't use the commissary but wifes and kids of active military can use it.

I see what you're saying Teac but look at it this way. Many disabled vets leave service early because of their disability. Many were probably hoping to do 20 and then retire but they never had a chance.

I think this is the bill currently under review:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-1818

Or maybe this one...

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?b...amp;tab=summary

Pete ,
same thing at my VA , patients can us canteen and px. I went into px and thought i can get this stuff cheaper even after taxes at wally world.What are ya gonna do !

Sgt Sandman

I bet you the one's that check "no" are the one's already 100%. Well, most of the "no's" I'd say. Amazing how thinking changes after you have a certain benefit that is denied for others.

You know something, I am at 100% and I would be most happy for any and all veterans

to receive free commissary, free medicine, free dental, free everything.

In my opinion you earned it!

Betty

I know i'm a little pessimistic sometimes.....sorry

Anyone know the status of this legislation ?

How many Vets live near a base that hasn't closed to get these benefits? I am 100% for any vet to be disabilty with an honorable discharge, but for me it isn't worth the drive to an open base.