LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- Effective Feb. 17, 2025, Veterans and VA caregivers must enroll for reoccurring installation access at the Visitor Center on Vandenberg Drive using VA-issued Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) and are no longer authorized to sponsor or escort guests onto the installation.
Eligible Veterans who do not have a VHIC, as well as eligible caregivers, can enroll for using a REAL ID Act-compliant driver’s license or non-driver’s identification card. Caregivers are only eligible if they are validated through the VA.
This process allows eligible Veterans and VA caregivers to establish identity, fitness and purpose on their first visit to each Department of Defense (DOD) installation.
In order to enroll they will need to:
- Present an acceptable credential, VHIC, or REAL ID to establish identity.
- Undergo an on-the-spot criminal record and terrorism check to establish fitness.
- Have their eligibility for on-installation benefits verified electronically (through the Defense Biometric Identification System) to establish purpose.
If the purpose is for health care only, then proof of appointment may be needed depending on their Veteran status.
Following enrollment, the Veteran or eligible caregivers can present the same VHIC or REAL ID they enrolled with to gain access at an installation gate.
Enrollment will be valid for 1-year at Little Rock AFB. If a patron’s VHIC or REAL ID expires, they will need to reenroll with their new VHIC or REAL ID.
Eligible Veterans who do not have a VHIC and VA caregivers will still need to provide a hard copy letter (a VA-issued caregiver patronage letter, VA-issued service-connected disability letter, or a VA Health Eligibility Center Form H623A) to show eligibility at the commissary, exchange or authorized Morale, Welfare and Recreation services, as these facilities cannot currently verify eligibility electronically.
Entry requirements for Retirees and Medical Retirees have not changed.
Acceptable credentials for installation access enrollment include:
- DoD common access card (when otherwise eligible)
- DoD uniformed services identification card (when otherwise eligible)
- REAL ID-compliant driver’s license issued by a state, territory, possession or the District of Columbia
- REAL ID-compliant non-driver’s li-cense issued by a state, territory, possession or the District of Columbia
- Enhanced driver’s license issued by a state, territory, possession or the District of Columbia
- U.S. passport or passport card
- Foreign passport bearing an unexpired immigrant or non-immigrant visa or entry stamp
- Federal personal identity verification card (when otherwise eligible)
- Transportation Worker Identification Card
- Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
Concerning Real ID:
The REAL ID ACT is a federal law that establishes minimum security standards for license issuance and production while prohibiting federal agencies from accepting identification cards that do not meet minimum standards.
Effective May 7, 2025, all personnel requesting access to any Department of Defense installation must have an acceptable form of REAL ID or an acceptable alternate ID that meets criteria under the REAL ID Act.
For more information on REAL ID, use this link or visit www.dhs.gov/real-id.