A section of the National Defense Authorization Act FY2020 expanded some on-post shopping and recreational activities for certain veterans and their caregivers, survivors and next of kin who have a new, Veteran Health Identification Card, issued by the Veterans Administration. The VHIC, along with other government-issued, approved identification, can also now allow people access to military installations.
Affected personnel categories are:
- Veterans with service-related disabilities
- Caregivers of Veterans with service-related disabilities
- Certain surviving spouses
- Purple Heart recipients
- Medal of Honor recipients
- Former prisoners of war
Previous eligiblity was limited to retirees and 100 percent disable Veterans. Learn more about the VHIC at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.
Installation Access
Veterans and primary family caregivers who are eligible for expanded access to Commissary, Exchange and FMWR facilities and have a Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC) must enter the installation at Tulley Gate for a background check. Tulley Gate is open 24/7. After successful vetting, the VHIC will be registered for continuous vetting through Fort Belvoir's Access Control Points. The VHIC will then serve as an access token and remain valid for three years.
For questions, please call the Fort Belvoir Visitor Center's temporary number at 571-515-2006.