The year-round discount (requires ID, certificate of service or retired member ID) is a fantastic deal; when they offer other deals you can add on the military discount on top. For example, earlier this year VIA offered 50% off some fares; CF members would get 25% off the already reduced fare, and pay 37.5% of the regular fare.
For those who've never done it: You can order by phone or in person and identify yourself as CF. At ticket pickup, you must have your ID with you. Online, when you're ordering, there's a dropdown for discounts. This is "Other Discount" and code "12070".
The discount applies to the member, their spouse and kids, and parents.
This post requires some ampification. The 25% discount applies to the LOWEST available fare . For example, if you are a vet and over age 60, you can get the seniors discount minus the 25%. However, if there are other discounts available which ALREADY HAVE a discount code, you cannot combine the military/vet discount code of 12070 with another discount code. Never the less, it is still a significant savings. My wife and I have booked a Via Rail trip from Vancouver to Halifax for July '12 in "Sleeper Touring" class which includes a small bedroom and meals, where the 25% discount amounted to over $900.00 savings over the already discounted "seniors rate". Good deal, if you ask me !!
...VTX-AL