Serving Those Who Serve: A Veteran’s Perspective on ID.me's Commitment to Our Military Community
Three wars. That’s what my grandfather’s Army career spanned.
He retired from the Army as a Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) after serving in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He used to tell me and my siblings what it felt like to be in Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. It was fascinating, terrifying, and motivating all at the same time. He instilled a deep sense of patriotism in us.
Mom and Dad reinforced the importance of “giving back” and “doing something bigger than yourself.” Those lessons are what took me and my brother into the Navy and my sister into the healthcare industry.
This sense of service and commitment to helping others is also what brought me to ID.me.
ID.me was built on the same values that drive so many who have worn the uniform: integrity, trust, and a desire to serve. Blake Hall, a decorated Army Ranger, founded ID.me to make life easier and safer for the Military community online.
What started as a way for Military and Veterans to access benefits and services has grown into something far greater. Today, more than 156 million users – including 18 million members of the Military and Veteran community – use their ID.me digital identity wallet to access benefits, savings, and services safely across the public and private sectors.
We are especially proud to partner with the Department of Veterans Affairs, where we help over 5.9 million Veterans to seamlessly and securely access VA.gov and affiliated services using ID.me.
That means faster access to health care, education benefits, and resources – without the need to juggle paperwork, remember multiple passwords, or risk personal information.
Protecting Those Who’ve Protected Us
Early in my career as an aviator and officer, my commanding officers and the senior enlisted who mentored me emphasized that trust is everything. That lesson holds true at ID.me as well.
Veterans and Military members are at higher risk of falling victim to identity theft online. According to a 2021 AARP survey, Veterans are more likely than civilians to report losing money to scams, phishing messages, and other types of identity theft.
Stopping fraud is a top priority for ID.me. Our identity verification process meets rigorous federal standards for secure consumer authentication set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). We leverage biometrics and advanced fraud controls to thwart sophisticated fraud tactics, including generative AI and deepfakes.
This is a key reason why 21 federal agencies, 50 state government agencies, and more than 70 healthcare organizations trust ID.me to authenticate their users. The scale of our network empowers us to detect more threats, providing the security that Military members – and all Americans – need.
Connecting Veterans with Resources
ID.me partners with many agencies, Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), and Veteran-focused non-profits to simplify access to community resources. We also partner with retail brands, including Veteran-owned businesses, that want to honor service through exclusive discounts.
Organizations at which Veterans can rapidly sign in with ID.me include:
- National Archives and Records Administration (NARA): Veterans and their families can log onto eVetRecs to request a copy of their military records.
- Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): VFW educates its members about the benefits they’ve earned and provides direct assistance to Veterans in need, all while advocating for Veterans with policymakers.
- Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF): IVMF empowers Veterans to build successful careers and launch thriving businesses after their military service.
- Veteran Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix): Vet Tix provides free tickets to events for Veterans and their families, creating unforgettable memories to help honor their sacrifices.
- Next 18: Next 18 offers free multi-day golf camps for Veterans with disabilities and first responders, providing mental health and holistic lifestyle resource training.
Whether they come from a small non-profit or a Fortune 500 company, resources and offers like these ensure that Veterans and their families are recognized.
ID.me proudly connects those who serve with brands that give back. This Veterans Day, Veterans, Military members, and their families can view special offers that honor their service here.
A Legacy of Service, Carried Forward
When I look at what we do at ID.me, I see more than a technology company. I see a continuation of the same mission that guided my grandfather in war, my parents in their professions, and me in the cockpit: do something that serves others.
To all who have, who are, and who will serve – thank you. And to the families that stand besides them and support them so they may serve – THANK YOU.
On this Veterans Day – and every other day of the year – we’re honored to serve you.
