ID Cards for Service Veterans

[argalwatch]

I have been waiting for the Government to provide a means for Service Veterans to identify themselves. The US retired Military have access to a wide range of concessions etc on production of their retiree ID card. So that we can get some impetus towards a similar system I have set up an e-petition.
Identity cards for Military Veterans

Responsible department: Ministry of Defence
Other nations award service in the armed Forces with various rights, concessions and discounts. Entitlement is proved by a Veteran's ID card. Some nations will expand some of these to veterans from other countries. UK Veterans with an ID card will be able to take advantage. A Veteran's ID card has been talked about. It is time for action. Please sign at:

Identity cards for Military Veterans - e-petitions (http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/14243)


I have set up the above e-petition which is self explanatory. Various Governments have talked about this for some time without any progress.

If you agree with it please send it on to as many people as you are able.

[Shack37]

Signed, must be worth a try. Good luck!

[Willard Whyte]

I trust this will this give us access to on-base facilities like the Spar and Costa Coffee?

Sorry to be cynical - bad day for me, and many others.

[sled dog]

Look at www.britishveterans.co.uk (http://www.britishveterans.co.uk), they seem to have some good deals. Perhaps not quite what you are looking for ?

[Seldomfitforpurpose]

I will be off next year after 38+ years of top quality fun but I cannot even begin to think of a time when I would either want or need an ID of this kind.

[Geehovah]

I'm in. It always seems a tad churlish that I can't visit the Mess when I go flying at Waddington!

[oldgrubber]

argalwatch,

If the pass you require is to "identify yourself", then what is wrong with the one I just picked up? It clearly says "Royal Navy Veteran Pass", with an issue date, my name and rank/rate on leaving the service and various other writing. This allows me access to the camp here in sunny Cornwall, so I can use the cinema, gym, pool, mess, etc etc. The issue of whether this should also entitle me to discounts etc is another question, but I would say the card already exists, so that's half the battle won without a fight!

Cheers now

p.s. it also has my face on it! (notice I didn't say handsome)

[Rigga]

I've been in posession of such a card (RAF Retired) since leaving in 1999.

It has even allowed me into Chiemsee the only time I tried.

I got mine from RAFA but I'm certain that the RBL would have something like it too.

[kevnurse]

I'm in. It always seems a tad churlish that I can't visit the Mess when I go flying at Waddington!


I don't understand. If you go flying at Waddington, you must have a pass to enter the unit, surely. Also, if you want to visit the mess, you can do so either as an escorted visitor or you join as a retired member. Retired Members get issued with a unit pass. I am a retired member of the Kinloss Sgts Mess and I have a pass that enables me unrestricted access to the Mess at any time (well, for a few more months).

Service Vets do not need a universal "get me on any RAF unit at any time" ID card. Every visit to an RAF unit by a veteran should serve a purpose and all veterans will get onto any unit with the appropriate sponsorship.

RAF veterans can apply to remain members (or even join) clubs and societies without the need for a formal veteran ID card.

Count me out.

[Lima Juliet]

http://www.nuk3.com/gallery/images/comedy/full/423.jpg

Just make one up. I once got into an Italian Air Base waving a piece of toast!

[Pete268]

Do not forget that anyone who receives a War Disablement Pension or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payment can apply to the Service Personnel & Veterans Agency (SPVA) for a War Pensioner/AFCS 'Status Card' (they do not like the term ID card) free of charge.

The credit card sized card certifies the holder is a War Disablement Pensioner/AFCS Recipient. Most places accept it as proof of former service for discounts etc.

To obtain one, ring the SPVA on 'freephone' 0800 169 2277 (BT Mobile, Orange, Virgin or 3 mobile, Customers will not be charged for the call by their provider) or e-mail : : [email protected]

You will need to quote your National Insurance Number (War Pensioner) or Service Number (AFCS).

Peter

[Geehovah]

I don't understand. If you go flying at Waddington, you must have a pass to enter the unit, surely. Also, if you want to visit the mess, you can do so either as an escorted visitor or you join as a retired member. Retired Members get issued with a unit pass. I am a retired member of the Kinloss Sgts Mess and I have a pass that enables me unrestricted access to the Mess at any time (well, for a few more months). Thanks for the explanation but after a good few years of service I think I knew that.

True; I can get onto the unit to go flying but there are practical problems. When the aircraft land away at Scampton or Cranwell when the runway is being worked, I find myself at another Station with a Waddington social pass as my only ID. The annual "expedition" uses RAF stations for landaways and service accommodation. I guess I could carry my passport so it's not insurmountable.

I'm well aware of the rules on honorary membership of the Mess but wouldn't it be nice to be able to drop in to the bar at Coningsby or Cranwell to see if any old mates are having a beer? It's the norm at Nellis and, not surprisingly, the bar actually has customers.

Not a world ending issue but I think I'm reasonably trustworthy. I'd like to retain some links with the Service but, without ID, it's not easy.

[Whopity]

The RAF must be the only place where after 25 years Service you give them a watch when you retire. Having had many years of access to a military flying club, I can think of no relevant use for a Veterans ID Card, save perhaps as a means of identity for my forthcoming EASA licence, but then I have a bus pass that seems to have more use for a little bit longer.

[YellowBelly]

A link to the Retired Service Card offered by RAFA for £11, for those interested:
Types of Membership - The RAF Association (http://www.rafa.org.uk/newtorafa-membershipformonline-typesofmembership.asp)

Just applied for mine - perhaps it will come in handy one day...

[Tankertrashnav]

No strong feelings on the ID card as such, but I've always thought it odd that the many discounts available to service personnel can be claimed by, say, a serving group captain on c£80k pa, but not by a sergeant who left the service in 1945 with a full logbook and a DFM and who may now be living on little more than the state pension.

[cazatou]

I still have my National Registration Card issued in 1946!!

[Wwyvern]

In the late 1960s, I used a business card given to me by one of my former students on QUAS to gain entry into RN base Sea Eagle near Londonderry.

It read, " Happy St Patrick's Day you Irish Bas***d".

[Frelon]

A few years ago I was invited by an American friend (retired Captain Judge Advocate General, US Navy) to spend a couple of weeks at his ranch in Pensacola, Florida. Unfortunately he was unable to accommodate my wife and myself for the first week of our stay and he asked if we would mind staying in the VIP quarters on the Pensacola base. We jumped at this suggestion as they had very comfortable accommodation, complete with swimming pool for the guests.

It was all very laid back, no security at the main gate, base personnel and all others allowed free access to the base.

However, one night we were coming back to base and we found the main gates blocked for a security check, and we were stopped by a large marine with a gun, who asked for identity!!

Fortunately we had our passports, but nothing else. We told him that we were the guests of Captain w"%b! and staying at the VIP quarters. This did not impress him, until he realised that we were driving a car (our friend's car) with a Captain's decal on the front.

He then decided it would be wise to let us through....

Perhaps would have helped if I had some form of official retirement documentation. Certainly would have helped obtain veterans' prices for meals locally!!

The Museum of Naval Aviation is something else. Go enjoy.

[argalwatch]

Old Grubber. Culdrose has recognised the requirement for a retired Sevice Members ID of some sort. Unfortunately it is not universal. Other forms can be obtained from various agencies but will not be recognised everywhere.
Much better to have a Nationally recognised card that may generate the acknowledgement of Service. Methinks of Concessionary Rail/travel cards. Discounts and reduced entry prices could be generated. MOD rates for various items and events could be forthcoming.
The point is that these could apply to all, regardless of Rank and service.

[Pontius Navigator]

The US Vets are entitled to fly anywhere on a space available basis either in the US or world wide. They could even fly on the RAF aircraft invoking the RAF-MAC agreement. We once flew a vet from Kef to ISK.

He was trying to get to Germany and they were only too happy to offload him to us. Nice old buffer (for 9 hours) but he couldn't work out why it took 9 hours from Iceland to Scotland when it only took him 3 hrs or so during the war.

[Wensleydale]

Just make one up. I once got into an Italian Air Base waving a piece of toast


Would that be an American Air Base in Italy? I remember the same thing happening there. I also remember the rather young attractive female guard (the one with red hair and the deep green eyes for those who are in the know).

I recall arriving at the gate during a base excercise and she was there; fully kitted out and toting a M60 - an incongrous sight. She had a sense of humour failure when the van driver asked "Does your mum know that you're out with that?"

[NutLoose]

The RAF must be the only place where after 25 years Service you give them a watch when you retire.

Damn, spilt my coffee reading that.
:D

[Dan Winterland]

I used my RAFA RAF retired card to get the Veteran's discounted rates at several Florida theme parks. Can't see that working at Alton Towers!