Eligibility
The Armed Forces Recreation Centers (AFRC) Resorts serve members of the U.S. Armed Forces, their families, and other authorized users. The AFRCs are Category C Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) activities operated by the U.S. Army as executive agent for the Department of Defense (DOD). Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM) G9 directly manages the AFRCs to provide all uniformed services with high-quality, affordable resort-style facilities consistent with the Army's focus on readiness and quality of life for Service Members and their Families. Personnel eligible to use AFRC guestrooms, food and beverage, recreation, facilities, and other guest services are defined below.
DISABLED VETERANS EQUAL ACCESS ACT 2018
In January 2020 we received new Department of Defense/Army Regulations which expand authorized use at AFRC Resorts to Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war (POW), veterans with VA-documented service-connected disability ratings and Primary Family Caregivers of eligible Veterans under the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers.
This expanded authorization currently does not include the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort or Dragon Hill Lodge. The new law is subject to the limitations of applicable host nation law and international agreements that have not been resolved. If there is a change in policy we will update our website and social media pages.
Below are the guidelines for the new authorized users at Hale Koa Hotel and the Shades of Green Resort:
Veterans who are Purple Heart recipients, veterans who are former POWs, all veterans with VA-documented service-connected disability ratings, and individuals assessed, approved, and designated as the Primary Family Caregivers of eligible veterans under the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers are eligible Shades of Green Resort users when identified as follows:
Veterans must present a Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) indicating at least one of the three acceptable eligibility statuses (PURPLE HEART, FORMER POW, or SERVICE CONNECTED); or HEC form H623A indicating placement in VA health care priority group 8E paired with an acceptable credential like a REAL ID-compliant State driver’s license or a U.S. passport.
Note: VHICs are issued to veterans enrolled in VA health care. Visit: https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vhic/ for information regarding eligibility for the VHIC and the application process.
Primary Family Caregivers must present their letter from the VA Office of Community Care that indicates they are assessed, approved, and designated Primary Family Caregiver of an eligible Veteran under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers and are eligible for these privileges paired with an acceptable credential like a REAL ID-compliant state driver’s license or a U.S. passport.
Restrictions apply for Disney’s Military Promotional Salute Tickets and Universal Orlando’s Military Promotional Ticket offerings.
To obtain VA forms, go online to https://www.va.gov/health-care
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If you do not hold a valid military ID card, but do hold a DD214 showing an Honorable Discharge, please view our Salute to the Veterans Program here.
Category |
Eligibility |
Armed Forces and their Families | Members on Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard and Cadets of Armed Forces 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 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 |
Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act 2018 |
This expanded authorization currently does not include the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort or Dragon Hill Lodge. Below are the guidelines for the new authorized users at Hale Koa Hotel and the Shades of Green Resort: Veterans who are Purple Heart recipients, veterans who are former POWs, all veterans with VA-documented service-connected disability ratings, and individuals assessed, approved, and designated as the Primary Family Caregivers of eligible veterans under the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers are eligible Shades of Green Resort users when identified as follows: Veterans must present a Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) indicating at least one of the three acceptable eligibility statuses (PURPLE HEART, FORMER POW, or SERVICE CONNECTED); or HEC form H623A indicating placement in VA health care priority group 8E paired with an acceptable credential like a REAL ID-compliant state driver’s license or a U.S. passport. Note: VHICs are issued to veterans enrolled in VA health care. Visit: https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vhic/ for information regarding eligibility for the VHIC and the application process. Primary Family Caregivers must present their letter from the VA Office of Community Care that indicates they are assessed, approved, and designated Primary Family Caregiver of an eligible Veteran under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers and are eligible for these privileges paired with an acceptable credential like a REAL ID-compliant state driver’s license or a U.S. passport. Authorized Government-issued Identification Cards : To obtain VA forms, go online to https://www.va.gov/health-care |
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. |
Survivor Family Package Eligibility |
The Survivors' Family Program extends to eligible Family members who have suffered a loss of an Active Duty sponsor regardless of the cause. A DD Form 1173 with "AD" in the Sponsor Service/Status field in combination with "DB" (DOD Beneficiary) or CH (Child Beneficiary) in the Relationship field on identification cards is required. The Survivors' Family Discount Program provides a 50 percent discount from normal room rates by the applicable rate category. The discount applies to additional occupants and up to three guest rooms. Survivors' Family discount requires the Survivors' Family Member with a military identification card to make/confirm reservations and be the primary occupant. The Survivors' Family Program extends to sponsored guests accompanying the Survivors' Family Member with a DD Form 1173. Stays under the Survivor Family Program are limited to a maximum of 14 nights in duration. Discounts are applicable to guest room(s) only, cannot be combined with any other offer, and may be limited to certain locations and time periods at the discretion of the General Manager.
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Salute to Our Veterans |
Through the Shades of Green “Salute to Our Veterans” program, all military veterans who have received an honorable discharge have an opportunity to vacation at Shades of Green during January and September. Reservations are subject to availability.
Proof of honorable discharge is required with a copy of a current DD-214 form. Rooms booked with this special promotion will pay the Category 3 rate. You may sponsor up to three rooms if you qualify for this promotion. Room rates are based on two adults occupying a standard room and four adults occupying the suites. Add $15 per additional adult ages 18 years or older.
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Sponsoring:
As an eligible Shades of Green guest, you may sponsor up to three rooms. In addition, a dependent spouse can also sponsor up to three rooms provided the following conditions are met...
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You are a registered guest at Shades of Green
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You agree to be responsible for your guests
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You must accompany your guest at time of check-in. Sponsored guest will not be authorized to check-in without the sponsor being present
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Sponsored guest reservations must check in on the same day or after and must depart before or on the same day as your reservation
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You accompany your guests while purchasing attraction tickets
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Your guests must follow the rules of the resort
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Sponsored rooms of Category 1 guest will fall into the Category 2 rate
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Military sponsors should not reserve additional under their name for other eligible Military/DoD sponsors
Eligible Shades of Green guests have used this unique Sponsorship program to bring in-laws, grandparents, close family friends, and relatives to share in their vacation fun. This is especially helpful if you are planning an intimate wedding or family reunion to be held at Shades of Green. Family members get to enjoy their loved ones in a low-stress environment away from the pressures of daily life and maximize their time together.