Starting Veterans Day, November 11, 2017, the Department of Defense will grant honorably discharged military veterans “limited online military exchange shopping privileges”, according to one of their press releases.
Pentagon officials say the change was made following “careful analysis, coordination and strong public support.” It will likely double the exchanges’ transactions.
The privileges will not, however, include the ability to buy uniforms, alcohol or tobacco products.
“We are excited to provide these benefits to honorably discharged veterans to recognize their service and welcome them home to their military family,” said Peter Levine, a Pentagon official, in the release.
“In addition, this initiative represents low-risk, low-cost opportunity to help fund morale, welfare and recreation programs in support of service members’ and their families’ quality of life. And it’s just the right thing to do.”
“As a nation, we are grateful for the contributions of our service members. Offering this lifetime online benefit is one small, tangible way the nation can say, ‘Thank you’ to those who served with honor.”
This past Veterans Day, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the coming of Vets.gov, a new online portal “aimed to help veterans better understand, access and benefit from the many programs they offer.”