Bad Manners and Brimstone

I personally wouldn’t complain about this. It seems like it would be easier for them to stop extending the discount to spouses.

But with the current policy, they effectively only extend discounts to spouses who choose to change their name. They should either extend to all spouses or none.

And the easiest path for them is to accept the military dependent ID as a form of identification. Better than having to have the military members update their profiles with new phone numbers every time they move anyway.

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A person who served less time will not have an ID card that says they've served in the military.  They prove that by providing a copy of their discharge papers.

My husband took his discharge papers with him the last time he got his driver's license renewed and his new driver's license now clearly indicates he is a veteran.

Devil's Advocate:

Have they had issues where people shared their military dependent card with others just to get a discount?
They may have been saying that yes, this is a military dependent card but how do they know that person is you?

I would contact Corporate and ask them if this is their normal policy?  Do they ask for driver's licenses for men who have a military id?

Quote from: SioCat on June 30, 2020, 12:47:44 pm

I personally wouldn’t complain about this. It seems like it would be easier for them to stop extending the discount to spouses.

But with the current policy, they effectively only extend discounts to spouses who choose to change their name. They should either extend to all spouses or none.

And the easiest path for them is to accept the military dependent ID as a form of identification. Better than having to have the military members update their profiles with new phone numbers every time they move anyway.

I think the phone number is just to make it easy to pull the records up. If you move, you probably don't have to change your phone number.

Can confirm that the Military discount does get abused.  One of our former employees was ex-military. Our employees carry company credit cards for fuel and incidental purchases, and he purchased supplies for the company at Lowe's - and the company got the 10% military discount.  I told him not to do that again. The discount is not for the company.

I will be writing to Lowe's with a very nice explanation of why last names don't always match - especially in the Military - with a nice clear photo of the "SP" (aka Spouse) that they can use as verification (instead of last name). 

This is bizarrely antiquated & I never realized it was part of their 'policy'.  I've never had an issue using it, but my last name is the same (I did consider not changing it as I was older when I got married).  I know quite a few Spouses who didn't change their names due to professional issues (if you are licensed/have a degree, it can be really expensive to change) &/or they didn't want to.  This is the first time I’ve heard of it being an issue for this or any other discount though (normally the ID card is sufficient 'proof').

Lowe's military discount being attached to your My Lowe's Store Card was a really nice update to this benefit, as you can use it to order online or if you need a special order (it automatically applies when I'm signed in online). 

Home Depot doesn't have the option to apply the discount online (which is a bummer when I would like to buy something that isn't in the store).  I don't think I was able to apply it when I did a special order -in the store- either.  I wish HD would add something similar to their system, since their prices are typically lower than Lowe's (although Lowe's will price match, I think).

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I am the spouse of an Active Duty Service Member & currently have an DoD (aka Military or Government) ID Card (the light brown one aka DD Form 1173) - it has a photo, my info, & my husbands info.  It's also my Benefits & Privileges ID card.

It is an 'official' Federal Government Issued Identification & I use it exclusively as my form of ID (instead of my DL - which was issued in a different state & doesn't have my current address...  it just causes local confusion.  The joys of a MilSpouse!).  I occasionally have to pull out my DL if a system has an issue recognizing the MilID (it doesn't want to allow the number or scan/swipe for reference on a return or similar).  I occasionally have to tell people that my DOB is on the back, but most of the time there isn't an issue (& I get a lot of "This is neat, I’ve never seen one before!").  The actual Government/Military is the only place I’ve ever had any issues ('No... We want a DL instead.' Really People?  Yes, your Government polices at work... This has happened to me MORE THAN ONCE.)

My husband will be retiring this year & I will have the same card, but the code under "Sponsor Service/Status" will change from 'USA/AD' (US Army/Active Duty) to 'USA/{Some Type of Disability/Retired Code}'.  I’m not currently sure exactly how his retirement will be coded.  I think that my husband will also be issued this card (currently he has a CAC which has a chip), even though they've been making noises over the past couple of years about keeping the CAC for 'full retirement' (aka 20+ years or other qualifiers).  The benefit of the CAC is that it allows you to login to the various systems as long as you have a PIN, appropriate card reader + software for your computer (instead of a DS Logon).  The CAC is much nicer, but if you have an issue/forget your PIN, it's a problem if you aren't close to a location that can fix it (& then the whole issue of understaffed locations for reset, etc.).  I’m hopeful that some of the issues will be resolved with the expansion of remote workers, but that is TBD.

There is a VERY easy way to verify if someone is a Spouse (vs another type of Dependent) by the code attached to the front of your card.  Under "Relationship" the code for Spouse is "SP" ("CH" for Child).  If you have to reference it in one of the Gov't/Military computer systems, all Spouses are listed as 3X/# for SM* (the 30s being the prefix/code for Spouses).  *You essentially 'exist' as an offshoot of the Service Member & they have a different prefix/code; Children & Other Dependents - also have separate prefixes/codes.

Here's my ID (with my info, bar codes, & pic redacted) to give everyone a good idea of what it looks like.
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

CAC & DoD ID Card Reference
https://www.cac.mil/uniformed-services-id-card/

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I don't have one, as the spouse of a veteran.  My husband just went through an ordeal to get a new card -- you're supposed to call and make an appointment, but they don't answer the phones.   When they finally do answer the phone, the appointments were always "full".  He finally had to just show up, even though you're not supposed to.

I actually would recommend that you keep your Spouse ID current, as much as it's kind of a pain.  If something happens, it will make your life easier if you need to deal with the Government/Military/VA (& you also want to have a Power of Attorney/Updated Directives/Will).  If your Spouse has privileges/benefits it's also your only 'proof' that the post/base/privileges-benefits providers will accept that you have them (as long as you are eligible, etc.).  If you are eligible for benefits, including medical/prescription then you can also fill your prescriptions at a post/base pharmacy with no charge (which a lot of people don't know) &/or combine the benefits with other insurance & possibly eliminate copays/required large deductibles (which people also don't realize).

DoD ID CARD (GET/RENEW)

If you &/or your spouse need to renew an ID card, online scheduling is done through RAPIDS.  It's SO much easier to book an appointment time online (well, maybe not right now, as I just checked in my area & don't see anything for the next 4 months - even if I go 60 miles out - but *normally* it's typically a month or so out for us) & you can go with your Spouse (I think I just made 2 appointments consecutively the last time I did this) so that you don't need an ID Card POA* (yes, this is a real thing & it has to be the 'special' one) for your ID Card form. *The Military has a ton of REQUIRED "Special" Power of Attorney forms & you have to use those specifically for services done/changed through the post/base (ID Card, Insurance, Bank-Overseas, Registration-Overseas, etc.) as they won't accept a General POA (& it is a General PITA).  I think I've had 12? at once when my husband was deployed & we lived overseas.

You can try (& try... & try...) to call for an ID Card appointment BUT getting someone to answer (or call back if you leave a message) has ALWAYS been problematic (as ID offices are always WAY understaffed in my experience, even at large locations).  Appointments via phone are always more difficult too (they tell you nothing is available when you call in, but there are multiple available when you look online).  Most locations have a very small window for walk-ins, if they have them at all (& if they do, you could easily sit there for an entire day waiting to be 'fit in'). 

You will want to bring a Valid Government Issued Photo ID (e.g., *Not Expired* Driver’s License, State ID Card, or Passport) & certified copies of your Birth Certificate (to be on the safe side), Marriage Certificate, Social Security Number Card, & Medicare Card (if applicable).  (I bring ALL the documents so that I don't need to come back... I would rather have every possible document than have to go twice!  I have a folder full of 'certified' documents plus my Spouse's orders (current/previous), DD214 (all/if more than 1 was issued), & any other thing I think I might ever possibly need.)

DoD RAPIDS ID Card Office Online
https://idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/

DoD ID Cards & Benefits: COVID-19
https://www.cac.mil/Coronavirus/

Military One Source - COVID-19: Obtaining & Renewing Military ID & CAC (Common Access Cards)
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/family-life/covid-19-resources/military-id-updates-during-covid-19

To make an appointment (or login to most of the systems - including MilConnect/DEERS, the VA, &/or TriCare) you will both need to make sure you have (or register for) a Premium (Level 2) DS Logon account (it allows you to sign into most of the government/military systems).  You want to verify that your (& your Spouse's) information (address, phone numbers, email) is correct/updated in DEERS (MilConnect is the 'new & improved' front end & it's pretty decent) as all of the other sites use it for verification purposes (you may want to wait 24-48 hours for the system to update if you need to change anything, before trying to use it for other places - ID Card appointment should be okay, other places might be flaky.)

If you haven't registered for a DS Logon yet, I suggest using a login that uses only your name: 'FirstName.LastName' or 'FNI.LastName' or 'FirstName.MI.LastName' or 'FNI.MI.LastName' or 'FirstName.LastName.01' (with periods between first, middle, last, & # - # is typically only used if you have a common name). 

The systems do not like anything complicated & this is a standard format for most other stuff. (I try to make my life easier not having to remember a random login -as much as it might not be the best policy- when you have to enter it multiple places?! Ugh.).  The password is government ridiculous (& will need to be changed every X days per the policy) - so make sure you have a place to keep track of the current (& previous) versions.

DS Logon
https://myaccess.dmdc.osd.mil/

MilConnect/DEERS
https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/

FYI:  If you are having an issue figuring out how to get the 'Premium (Level 2)' account, after you register & your account is active, you need to select the button/link "Upgrade to Premium Access" in the bottom left of the initial DS Logon screen. 

I've been using these systems (& their predecessors) for 15 years & I had the worst time figuring this out for my Dad's account (he's a Veteran & I was getting everything set up for cohesive VA access) because I think the VA only referenced it as Level 2 (or something else that wasn't listed on the DS Logon page) & it had been a long time since I had completed the process for myself & my husband.

ABL thank you for taking the time to put together all of that information.
Very help.