Authorized Exchange Program patronage is determined by DoD Directive 1330.21, Armed Services Exchange Regulations (ASER) and other DoD issuances. Below is summary of authorized patrons.
Active Duty, Reserves and Dependents
Marine Corps, U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, Military Cadets, Midshipmen, Commissioned Officers of the Public Health Service (PHS) and Commissioned Officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Delayed Entry Program or Delayed Training Program enlisted, all members and their dependents of the Army National Guard, Air National Guard, All Reserves and PHS Reserve Officers
Retirees and Dependents
Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard and their Reserve components who receive retired pay, officers and crews of vessels of the National Geodetic Survey, Commissioned Officers of the Environmental Science Service Administration, Commissioned Officers of the Public Health Service and Commissioned Officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Veterans
Unless otherwise authorized commissary, exchange and MWR access, only veterans who are Purple Heart recipients, veterans who are former prisoners of war, or veterans who have a Department of Veterans Affairs documented service-connected disability rating between 0-90% are authorized in-person privileges as of Jan. 1, 2020, as provided for in Section 1065 of Title 10, United States Code.
In addition, Veterans who meet one of the new eligibility criteria who are also uniformed service retirees, Medal of Honor recipients, veterans with 100% service-connected disability ratings or veterans with 100% unemployability ratings due to a service-connected condition are eligible for a Department of Defense-issued identification card and privileges broader than those granted under Section 1065.
While not all veterans are eligible for in-person privileges on DoD and Coast Guard installations, all honorably discharged veterans are eligible for online military exchange shopping through the Veterans Online Shopping Benefit. To access your online shopping benefit, veterans not eligible for in-person privileges should follow the instructions to establish an account at any of the following military exchange websites, or the VA’s Veterans Canteen Service:
Army and Air Force Exchange System: https://www.shopmyexchange.com
Coast Guard Exchange: https://shopCGX.com
Marine Corps Exchange: http://www.mymcx.com
Navy Exchange: https://www.mynavyexchange.com
Veterans Canteen Service: https://shopvcs.va.gov
Veterans and Caregivers
In accordance with Section 1065 of Title 10, U.S.C., the following veterans and care givers are authorized access to military exchanges:
DoD Civilian Employees
DOD and Coast Guard APF and NAF civilian employees in the United States and the U.S. territories
OCONUS DoD Employees and Dependents
US Civilian DoD employees and their dependents assigned to duty outside of CONUS, current employees of Marine Corps Exchange or other Armed Services Exchanges and their dependents, official DoD Activities (for activity purchases and use only; not for individual purchases or use).
Honors, Volunteers and Dependents
Medal of Honor recipients and their dependents, Red Cross personnel and their dependents assigned to duty outside of Continental United States (CONUS): Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico with an activity of the Military Service, Non-DoD Federal Departments/Agencies (for Federal Departments/Agencies purchases and use only; not for individual purchases or use).
Non-US Citizens and Dependents
Local National associates and their dependents of overseas exchanges in accordance with local regulations and agreements, foreign country military and their dependents when on duty in CONUS.