Military Campground and RV Parks Articles

The following review was written and submitted in early March 2023 by website user Dede.

We have stayed at Maxwell AFB FamCamp more than ½ dozen times. We have family in the area, and Montgomery is a convenient stop. Hours 8-5 M-F. The manager is always out of his office. The primary excuses are always the same. He is in a meeting and will be in later this afternoon. He seldom makes an appearance. It is self-serve if you arrive on the weekend or after 5:00 pm. The buildings are deteriorating; steps have rotted away on the clubhouse, and shower, laundry building. Yellow tape is the primary color of choice. Homesteaders have taken over the primary section of camp. Our TDY students have priority, but it has gotten out of hand. Trash everywhere; most are taking advantage of the BHA Basic Housing Allowance. Why get a house? You get water and electricity-free; why not pocket that  $600 to $800 and live in a run-down RV trailer? There is a fine line between an RV park and a trailer park. There is no cable or WIFI.

Read more: User's In-Depth Review of Maxwell/Gunter AFB FamCamp, Montgomery, AL

Active duty, retired military, and 100% DAV were the primary users that were authorized to utilize MWR facilities (includes campgrounds). However, this all changes soon. The Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018 became law in August 2018 and will take effect on January 1st, 2020. This bill will now allow the following veterans use of commissary and exchange stores, and MWR facilities (includes campgrounds):

Read more: Many Veterans Gain Access to MWR Facilities

Disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients won't see on-base access for commissaries and exchange stores or some recreation options any time soon, according to new guidance issued Wednesday by the Defense Department.

By law, the new access is to start Jan. 1, 2020. However, a policy document issued Wednesday by the Pentagon shows that, while veterans who hold a Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) from the Department of Veterans Affairs and caregivers registered with the VA's Comprehensive Program for Caregivers will be able to access the system as planned, all other new users will have to wait for a previously unannounced "phase two."

Read more: New MWR Access Delayed for Many Veterans

The Defense Department has announced expanded Commissary, Military Service Exchange and MWR access Jan. 1 and established a standard for physical access to military installations.

Veterans who are eligible and want to take advantage of in-person benefits must have a Veterans Health Identification Card, or VHIC. Primary Family Caregivers must have an eligibility letter from VA’s Office of Community Care.

Veterans use VHICs for identification and check-in at VA appointments, but will also use them for base access under the new program.

Veterans eligible solely under this act who are eligible to obtain a Veteran Health Identification Card must use this credential for in-person installation and privilege access. The card must display the Veteran’s eligibility status (i.e., PURPLE HEART, FORMER POW or SERVICE CONNECTED).

Veterans eligible solely under this act who are not enrolled in or are not eligible to enroll in VA health care, or who are enrolled in VA health care, but do not possess a Veteran Health Identification Card will not have access to DoD and Coast Guard installations for in-person commissary, exchange, and MWR retail privileges, but will have full access to online exchanges and American Forces Travel.

Medal of Honor recipients and Veterans with 100% service-connected disability ratings are eligible for DoD credentials under DoD policy.

Read more: Veterans need VHIC for in-person Commissary, Military Exchange, MWR access