Having prior access to a base won't be enough to allow newly eligible veterans to shop at its commissary and exchange Jan. 1, Military.com has learned. Beginning Jan. 1, Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war and veterans with any service-connected disability will be eligible to shop at on-base facilities -- if they hold a Veterans Health Identification Card. But access will be delayed for those who do not have a VHIC as military officials negotiate access to secure military facilities for what may potentially be millions of new shoppers. Read more on Military.com.