Question Camping On Military Property

[FL-JOE]

My VA Healthcare card is enroute. Yesterday I was with a buddy at the local Legion here in Florida and he said his believes that by having a VA Healthcare card you can camp at military sites just like military retirees. True/false? Or does it depend on if you are getting a certain percentage of disability?

 

[Neemer]

I think it depends. Each military installation establishes its own policies. There isn’t a “one size fits all” policy. The best thing to do is call the installation you are considering and see what they say.

 

[STANDERSON]

Contact the campground. I am retired military plus 40% disabled.. Our favorite campground is on a Air Force Base close to the house. Nice, quiet and affordable.

 

[Old Bubblehead]

There seems to be a wide variety in what is possible. As mentioned, contact target FamCamps in advance to prevent issues on check-in. No guarantees, but better than average chance if pre approved prior to arrival. As always get name of individual that provided clearance to facilitate a smoother conversation at base. Make sure you can get both base access, and camp ground usage. Would suck to have clearance to camp but be refused entry to base. After all, this is the military we are talking about.

 

[FL-JOE]

I guess it just didn't seem right to me when he told me that. A few years ago we were on a motorcycle ride in NM. I stopped at White Sands Missile Range for a quick visit (spent my last 10 months there). They not only refused to allow us on the base but got upset with the DW when she started to take a photo of the sign out front with me standing in front of it. I had my DD214 but none of that mattered. They had changed the gate guards to civilian instead of MPs also.

I might call around this spring and try to get into a couple military campgrounds.

 

[Old Bubblehead]

We haven't tried any yet, I keep looking just haven't synched up with our travel plans. I keep it in the one of these days bucket. There are a couple of website that list and review Military Campgrounds, as well as multiple Facebook groups. Best of luck!
All gave some, Some gave All.

j

 

[John&Andrea]

I never served in the military so I have no dog in this hunt. It seems to me if you served you should have access to all base campgrounds.

 

[STANDERSON]

I believe your V.A. card must be registered with the base before you can get access. I haven't done that yet but I am retired military so my I.D. gets us access.

 

[Ilovemaui]

It doesn’t seem like a good practice to allow anyone to camp on a military base. The wrong element could load a lot of explosives in an RV. Just my humble opinion.

 

[Old Bubblehead]

@Ilovemaui, understand your worry but realistically there are plenty of soft targets with much more damage potential. The wrong sort are specialists in seeking them out. Reservoirs for instance, just think of the number of CG set up around the lakes we use for large city water sources. Huge COE campgrounds that provide water front access. Consider what could happen should that access be weaponized.
You can live, or you can exist in fear. You can't do both. When you succumb to the fear, they win.

 

[STANDERSON]

It doesn’t seem like a good practice to allow anyone to camp on a military base. The wrong element could load a lot of explosives in an RV. Just my humble opinion.

In order to get on a military base, you must be a veteran, or a spouse. That is not normally "the wrong element".

 

[Kcmusa]

In order to get on a military base, you must be a veteran, or a spouse. That is not normally "the wrong element".

Or one can be sponsored at some bases by a privileged user.

 

[Old Bubblehead]

Many different ways to get on bases. Each base is different to some degree. As threat condition warrants, base access can be reduced or restricted as needed to provide the best level of defense to threats.
Family Camps, or military campgrounds, are a benefit for those who serve or have served. Benefits are getting pretty slim these days for the sacrifices these folks are making. They are also (these days) the only affordable option some service families have for housing.

 

[J&JD]

I’m a veteran from back in the Vietnam era. I wonder if a copy of my discharge papers would allow me onto some military campgrounds? Never tried, just curious.

 

[STANDERSON]

I’m a veteran from back in the Vietnam era. I wonder if a copy of my discharge papers would allow me onto some military campgrounds? Never tried, just curious.

Go to the V.A. and get your V.A.card. Then register it at the local base.

 

[STANDERSON]

If you all get to Ohio and want to camp on a military base, drop me a line.

 

[RKins]

Being a veteran is not enough - you need to be a "retired" veteran (spent 20+ years in) or have disabilities from your service. I spent 10 years in the Army and am not entitled to anything related to a military base. I can get a 10% discount at some of the big box stores though....

 

[STANDERSON]

If you are a veteran, I strongly recommend you go to your local V.A. and register. Once registered, you will receive a VHIC ( Veterans Health Identification Card). Even if you don't have a service related disability, you can get a card. My wife is a vet, with no service related disabilities and receives her health care from the V.A.

Once you get your VHIC, register it with your local military base. Once it is in the system, you may be allowed base access (commissary, exchange, etc). All veterans are now allowed to shop the military exchanges on line and they are phasing in allowing veterans on base to shop the exchange. Check with the base on what their rules are.

If you get base access, KNOW THE RULES. No firearms. None. Don't. There was a husband who went to a boot camp graduation. Security forces saw a loaded mag in his vehicle. It went downhill for him quickly. Speed limits are enforced and you will get a ticket.

 

[STANDERSON]

Or one can be sponsored at some bases by a privileged user.

I sponsored a person. They made an ass of themselves on base. Won't happen again.

 

[Kcmusa]

I sponsored a person. They made an ass of themselves on base. Won't happen again.

I would only sponsor a well known friend.