Recently released Canadian Armed Forces members can now request the new Veteran's Service Card
News release
December 3, 2018 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces / Veterans Affairs Canada
The Government of Canada recognizes the service of our women and men in uniform and our veterans.
Veterans who released from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) between February 2016 and September 2018 can now request the Veteran's Service Card at the following website. Approximately 26,000 honorably released Veterans are now eligible during the second stage of the distribution.
The Veteran's Service Card provides a tangible symbol of recognition for former military members and encourages an enduring affiliation with the CAF. The Veteran's Service Card is for former and releasing CAF members who have completed basic training and have been honourably released. The previous NDI75 was only available to Veterans who served more than 10 years in the CAF.
The Veteran's Service Card is being distributed in three stages. The first stage began in September 2018. All newly releasing Canadian Armed Forces members now receivetheir card upon release.
Another estimated 450,000, who have honourably released prior to February 2016, will be able to request their Veteran's Service Card during stage three, in summer 2019. This staged approach allows the Department of National Defence and Veterans Affairs Canada to ensure that the necessary resources are in place to verify, produce, and distribute the Veteran's Service Cards.
"Through our defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, we are ensuring that the women and men of our Canadian Armed Forces receive the professional, customized and personalized support they need as they transition to post-military life. We introduced the Veteran's Service Card in September and the distribution for stage two begins today, on schedule. We owe a lot to our women and men in uniform, and the Veteran's Service Card is an important acknowledgement of their service to our country."
Harjit S. Sajjan, Defence Minister
"Veterans and their families have told me at dozens of town halls, meetings, and round tables that they wanted a Veteran's Service Card. We listened and we took action. We work every day at improving how Canadian Armed Forces members transition to life after their military service. The stage two distribution of the Veteran's Service Card marks another milestone in recognizing their service to Canada and gives these veterans a valuable link to VAC programs."
Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs
Quick facts
The introduction of the Veteran's Service Card is being put in place to help ensure a smooth transition to post-military life. It responds to expressed concerns by CAF members and Veterans, and is in consideration of the recommendation from the Veterans Ombudsman in his report Honouring and Connecting with Canada's Veterans: a National Veterans Identification Card.
The Veteran's Service Card is an initiative of Canada's Defence Policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged (SSE).
