Forward Observer: VA Veteran ID Card Available — Trying to Get It Right the Second Time Around

According to a 12 February post on the VA’s VAntage Point blogsite, the VA Veteran ID card (VIC) is available for registration once again.  Previously the VA ID card was on hold due to a “high volume of traffic” according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

To apply for a card, veterans must register on Vets.gov and then apply for the printed card.  Expect a sixty day turnaround, the status of which can be monitored on the vets.gov site.  Currently there is no charge for this card, although the law allows it.  A digital version will be available in the future.

Our previous article provided the purpose and ground rules behind this card.  Its issuance continues to be limited to those with honorable or general discharges, despite the law.  However, one can debate the wisdom of that provision because the card serves as a business discount card effectively.  The enacting legislation states, “… Goods, services and promotional activities are often offered by public and private institutions to veterans who demonstrate proof of service in the military, but it is impractical for a veteran to always carry Department of Defense form DD-214 discharge papers to demonstrate such proof …”  Having it, does not entitle one to either military or veterans benefits, the VA states.  Go figure why the VA is burdened with this task, if such is the case.

The card proves the individual served in the U.S. Armed Forces, has a Department of Defense DD Form 214 or other official document in the official military personnel file of the veteran that describes the service of the veteran.  At least on that point, it has much more validity  or “street cred” and will have more recognition than the veterans designation on a Pennsylvania Driver’s License (PennDOT does not verify veterans status before issuance, and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, which assumed the burden by default, only samples for errors — which have occurred).

The card contains the following information:

• A photograph of the veteran and his/her name
• The card is not proof of any benefits to which the veteran is entitled
• An identification number that is not a social security number

The video below is useful in demonstrating how the process works.  The only way to apply is online and that may be beyond the capabilities of some.  Currently, the VA does not address that situation.

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RJH
As of 18 February 2018
Updated 24 Feb 2018 with video and comment