Eligible for Shades of Green?

[Christy729]

Even though I've read the eligibility requirements, I'm still not sure if my family is eligible.

Situation 1, My husband's father served in the U.S. Army. He retired from the Army about 5 years ago. Is my husband (no longer a dependant) and our family allowed to stay? His father would not be going.

Situation 2, My father served in the U.S. Navy with an honorable discharge but did not retire from the service. Is my father and mother able to stay? Am I able to stay with them? Can I stay on my own?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Burnt Toast]

Even though I've read the eligibility requirements, I'm still not sure if my family is eligible.

Situation 1, My husband's father served in the U.S. Army. He retired from the Army about 5 years ago. Is my husband (no longer a dependant) and our family allowed to stay? His father would not be going.

Situation 2, My father served in the U.S. Navy with an honorable discharge but did not retire from the service. Is my father and mother able to stay? Am I able to stay with them? Can I stay on my own?

Thanks in advance!

I believe it is clearly stated in the requirements (I'm pretty sure I saw this last time I checked) is that you have to be active military but the military member must be present and stay in the room. Retired personnel are allowed to stay as well but they also must be present and stay in the room. It is THEIR benefit, not yours... you cannot stay there unless they are there with you.

Sponsored guests must be accompanied by the military/DoD sponsor at check-in and throughout the entire stay.

 

[Christy729]

I know it is their benefit, but it does accept retired members "and family." So, I wasn't sure what *and family* met when it came to my DH's father's retirement. Also, I often travel with my parents to WDW and although my Dad has an honorable discharge, he is not retired. Could my parents still stay?

 

[Burnt Toast]

I know it is their benefit, but it does accept retired members "and family." So, I wasn't sure what *and family* met when it came to my DH's father's retirement. Also, I often travel with my parents to WDW and although my Dad has an honorable discharge, he is not retired. Could my parents still stay?

You mentioned that your husband's father will NOT be joining you. The military personnel or retired military personnel MUST be present and stay with in the room(s). That makes the 1st question a no.

For the 2nd, you didn't mention if your father will be going with you. If yes, you'll have to ask Shades of Green's reservation department because I'm not sure if being honorably discharged counts as being retired. If no, then again they have to be present and stay in the room(s).

Remember, Disboards and all other fansites =/= Disney/Shades of Green. For technicalities or whatnot, it's better to just call them directly and get an immediate response. Lots of folks aren't too savvy of Shades of Green because they only deal with military personnel... it's best to call them directly.

 

[Burnt Toast]

Actually...

Honorably discharged veterans with 100 percent Service-connected disability.

Honorably discharged veterans (as long as they have a 100% Service-connected disability, whatever that means) and their families are allowed to stay at Shades of Green, but they have to be present in the room and throughout the entire stay.

 

[Christy729]

Thanks for the info. My parents (the honorable discharge, though no retirement) are going next month, without me. They're staying at CSR but I was going to pass the SOG info along to him as an option. If he's interested I will have him call to see if he's eligible.

*ETA, my father has no disability.

 

[Burnt Toast]

Yah, based on what I'm reading it has to be an honorable discharge due to a 100% military-related disability it looks like.

I'd have him call them directly either way!

 

[Sleepy]

I can help.

http://www.shadesofgreenvets.org/eligibility.htm

Scenario. You are the adult child of someone who was in the military. You want to stay at Shades of Green.

1) You can't make a reservation for yourself. Only people who have a tie to the military can. You can only qualify for a room if the military associated person makes a reservation for you and even then, they have to be there at the hotel too. As the others have said.....this is THEIR benefit, not yours. You only borrowed that benefit while you were a minor. The military cut you, the child, off when you turned 21, or 23 if you went to college fulltime. At that point, you stopped existing. They figure if you want the benefits to continue, you can join the military too .

2) You know someone who actually retired from the military, or was 100% medical discharge (which is considered same status as retired). They will all have a military ID to prove this. They can stay at Shades of Green any day of the year. They can get you a room too, but they must physically be present at the hotel when you arrive. This avoids abuse of the system.

3) You know someone who was in the military but did not retire. They do NOT have a military ID. This means they are in no way tied to the military. A few years ago Shades of Green changed the rules for people who served but did not retire. They MUST be honorably discharged and have the proper paperwork. They can only stay at Shades of Green during the months of September and January. They can reserve a room for you as well. Of course, that honorably discharged person would have to physically be at the hotel when you check in.

4) The spouse of the retired person wants to stay at Shades of Green without the "sponsor" (person who was actually in the military). That spouse also has a military ID and has full access to all benefits just as that retired military member does. The spouse is eligible to make the reservation and arrive at Shades of Green WITHOUT the sponsor. So, if your father retired, your mother would be able to go on vacation alone, or even bring a friend/family member. Her ID is her golden ticket.

Hope this helps.

 

[Christy729]

Thanks Sleepy for the thorough explanation.

So basically, since my Dad is honorably discharged, he can stay during the months of January and September. Personally, I think all those that have served our country should be eligible any month of the year, but it is what it is.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Thanks for the amazingly detailed post Sleepy (bookmarked that puppy!)

 

[summerlady]

So...my husband was in the Army and served in Vietnam for a year, he has a DD214 (I just saw it the other day while going through our safe deposit box and I know we had to present it when we applied for a deduction on our property taxes), we could stay at SOG during the months of January and September? Even though he was only in the Army for 2 years and honorably discharged after that?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Dept of Defense employees and their contractors are also eligible for stays at SoG.

 

[CapeMayMommy]

I can help.

http://www.shadesofgreenvets.org/eligibility.htm

Scenario. You are the adult child of someone who was in the military. You want to stay at Shades of Green.

1) You can't make a reservation for yourself. Only people who have a tie to the military can. You can only qualify for a room if the military associated person makes a reservation for you and even then, they have to be there at the hotel too. As the others have said.....this is THEIR benefit, not yours. You only borrowed that benefit while you were a minor. The military cut you, the child, off when you turned 21, or 23 if you went to college fulltime. At that point, you stopped existing. They figure if you want the benefits to continue, you can join the military too .

2) You know someone who actually retired from the military, or was 100% medical discharge (which is considered same status as retired). They will all have a military ID to prove this. They can stay at Shades of Green any day of the year. They can get you a room too, but they must physically be present at the hotel when you arrive. This avoids abuse of the system.

3) You know someone who was in the military but did not retire. They do NOT have a military ID. This means they are in no way tied to the military. A few years ago Shades of Green changed the rules for people who served but did not retire. They MUST be honorably discharged and have the proper paperwork. They can only stay at Shades of Green during the months of September and January. They can reserve a room for you as well. Of course, that honorably discharged person would have to physically be at the hotel when you check in.

4) The spouse of the retired person wants to stay at Shades of Green without the "sponsor" (person who was actually in the military). That spouse also has a military ID and has full access to all benefits just as that retired military member does. The spouse is eligible to make the reservation and arrive at Shades of Green WITHOUT the sponsor. So, if your father retired, your mother would be able to go on vacation alone, or even bring a friend/family member. Her ID is her golden ticket.

Hope this helps.

My father did not have a medical discharge---However, he was honorably discharged and then later received 100% service connected disability for a condition related to service in Vietnam (Agent Orange)

Is he eligible? My mother wants to know.

btw--sorry to hijack the thread.

 

[singnring]

So...my husband was in the Army and served in Vietnam for a year, he has a DD214 (I just saw it the other day while going through our safe deposit box and I know we had to present it when we applied for a deduction on our property taxes), we could stay at SOG during the months of January and September? Even though he was only in the Army for 2 years and honorably discharged after that?

Correct. Here is the link for SOG's site on the Salute to Veteran's Program, good for Jan & Sep for honorably discharged vets w/ DD214 for proof.

http://www.shadesofgreenvets.org/home.html

 

[Sleepy]

So...my husband was in the Army and served in Vietnam for a year, he has a DD214 (I just saw it the other day while going through our safe deposit box and I know we had to present it when we applied for a deduction on our property taxes), we could stay at SOG during the months of January and September? Even though he was only in the Army for 2 years and honorably discharged after that?

That is correct. I see nothing stating minimum number of years required or restriction on dates served. They only seem to care about the honorable discharge and DD214

http://www.shadesofgreenvets.org/reservations.htm

These are the rates for vets this year. A new price usually comes out in October.

Standard Room $ 131.00 (you get a patio on ground and balcony on upper)
Poolside Room $ 141.00 (these rooms are all on ground floor facing pool)
Family Jr. Suite $ 250.00
Family Suite $ 275.00

 

[Sleepy]

My father did not have a medical discharge---However, he was honorably discharged and then later received 100% service connected disability for a condition related to service in Vietnam (Agent Orange)

Is he eligible? My mother wants to know.

btw--sorry to hijack the thread.

I would assume if he is 100% disabled, he has a military ID. Being 100% disabled, it qualifies him to stay at Shades of Green any day of the year. I am sorry about your dad. Mine also suffers from exposure.

 

[CapeMayMommy]

I would assume if he is 100% disabled, he has a military ID. Being 100% disabled, it qualifies him to stay at Shades of Green any day of the year. I am sorry about your dad. Mine also suffers from exposure.

You know, I told him to get the ID. He never did it. Because he's been out for more than 40 years and only served two years (drafted), I guess he doesn't feel entitled to call himself "retired military".

My mother, however, will push him...

Thanks for the response.

 

[mousireid]

Rate and Eligibility Verification: Upon check-in, a valid military ID or DoD ID, and current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) is required. Rates are subject to pay grade verification upon check-in and to change without notice. Click here to check for eligibility.

Category Eligibility:

Armed Forces and their Families Members on active duty, Reserve, and National Guard, Cadets and Midshipmen of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine Academies.
ID is Common Access Card

Other Uniformed Services Public Health Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps.
ID is DD Form 2, PHS 1866-1 or 1866-3

Armed Forces Retirees and their Family Members
Retired from active duty, Reserves, and National Guard with or without pay (gray area)
ID is DD Form 2, 1173 or 1173-1

Others Separated from the Armed Forces and their Family Members Honorably discharged veterans with 100 percent Service-connected disability. ID is DD Form 1173 or DD Form 2765
Involuntarily separated service members under the Transition Assistance Management Program ID is DD Form 2

Personnel separated under the Voluntary Separation Incentive (VSI) and Special Separation Benefit (SSB) programs for two years after separation ID is DD Form 2

Former and/or Surviving Spouses and Family Members Unremarried surviving spouses of personnel who died while on active duty or while in retired status ID is DD Form 1173 or 1173-1
Un-remarried former spouses who were married to military members for at least 20 years while the military member was on active duty ID is DD Form 1173

Other Supporters of the Department of Defense Military personnel of foreign nations and their family members when assigned or attached to a U.S. military unit or installation or on U.S. Travel Orders.

U.S. employees of firms under contract to Department of Defense working in the Pacific Region outside the U.S. on Department of Defense Government orders.

Other personnel on official business with Department of Defense as may be specifically authorized by the General Manager or his designee.

ID is DD Form 1173 or 2765

U.S. Department of Defense Civilians and Family Members Current and retired (APF and NAF) Department of Defense (DoD) and Coast Guard (CG) civilian employees. DOD or CG ID card, Retired ID card, or current Leave and Earnings Statement with photo ID required for check-in.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Personally, I think all those that have served our country should be eligible any month of the year, but it is what it is.

I have stayed at SoG other than Jan/Sep, but I think a few ribbons made that possible (although I am not sure I just didn't get lucky).

 

[summerlady]

Correct. Here is the link for SOG's site on the Salute to Veteran's Program, good for Jan & Sep for honorably discharged vets w/ DD214 for proof.

http://www.shadesofgreenvets.org/home.html

Thank you.