Military Matters: DOD puts out welcome mat at exchanges

Good news for millions of veterans and caregivers the Pentagon has announced that starting next year 4.1 million veterans and their caregivers will have access to military commissaries and exchanges. Veterans with a documented service-related disability, Purple Heart Recipients, former prisoners of war and Veteran Affairs-approved veteran caregivers will have access.

Commissaries and exchanges are tax-free and can even offer special discounts and free shipping on some purchases. Up until now , eligibility to shop at on-base commissaries and exchanges in the United States has been largely limited to active-duty troops, members of the National Guard and reserves, and military retirees and their family members. In 2017, the Pentagon opened online versions of military exchanges to some 20 million honorably discharged veterans.

The effort not only gives more access to those on a budget, but also may be a shot in the arm for the commissaries throughout the country which have seen a dip in sales.