Posted on Apr 2, 2015
Do Retirees Really “Deserve” Access to AAFES Stores More Than Non-Retirees?
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* Please vote in the survey here *
Note: I am a RallyPoint member (served in USAF for 5 years) and wish to remain anonymous, because I need to be 100% honest that I feel the DoD is discriminating against non-retirees like me. Please tell if I am right or wrong here.
While I was serving in the USAF (5 years active), I enjoyed shopping at AAFES locations and online as well. It saved me a lot of money and the deals always seemed good. Now that I am a civilian, and did not hit retirement before I got out, and am not rated 100%, I can’t shop at AAFES anymore. I think that’s flat out wrong. I put in my time as much as anyone.
I know there are going to be RallyPoint members who respond with, “You only did 6 years, and you knew AAFES rules full well.” Well, here is what I say to that.
I did a 7-month tour in Iraq at FOB Taji. Easily left the wire more than 10 times. I hurt my shoulder due to wearing my kit a lot (30% rated). I did as much as most retirees, including retired grunts. I deserve AAFES access as much as any retiree. I respect that retirees served a little bit longer, but I did 7 months in Iraq.
Am I justified in thinking I should get full AAFES access?
Please vote in the survey below. Thank you.
Note: I am a RallyPoint member (served in USAF for 5 years) and wish to remain anonymous, because I need to be 100% honest that I feel the DoD is discriminating against non-retirees like me. Please tell if I am right or wrong here.
While I was serving in the USAF (5 years active), I enjoyed shopping at AAFES locations and online as well. It saved me a lot of money and the deals always seemed good. Now that I am a civilian, and did not hit retirement before I got out, and am not rated 100%, I can’t shop at AAFES anymore. I think that’s flat out wrong. I put in my time as much as anyone.
I know there are going to be RallyPoint members who respond with, “You only did 6 years, and you knew AAFES rules full well.” Well, here is what I say to that.
I did a 7-month tour in Iraq at FOB Taji. Easily left the wire more than 10 times. I hurt my shoulder due to wearing my kit a lot (30% rated). I did as much as most retirees, including retired grunts. I deserve AAFES access as much as any retiree. I respect that retirees served a little bit longer, but I did 7 months in Iraq.
Am I justified in thinking I should get full AAFES access?
Please vote in the survey below. Thank you.
Posted in these groups: 
Benefits
Benefits
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 625
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Seriously - I have read through the responses here and I am struggling to comprehend the sense of entitlement of the original requester and of the 26% of folks posting here that think non-retirees deserve AAFES as much as retirees.
Unless you are a qualifying disabled veteran, retired through service connected disability or retired you don't get AAFES benefits - you also don't qualify for TRICARE or any other benefit. You voluntarily left the service rather than stay to retirement.
I am pretty sure the benefits system was explained to you at least once while you where in the service - hopefully you stayed awake during that explanation. If you didn't consider it when you made a choice to separate too bad - stop whining and get on with your life.
Unless you are a qualifying disabled veteran, retired through service connected disability or retired you don't get AAFES benefits - you also don't qualify for TRICARE or any other benefit. You voluntarily left the service rather than stay to retirement.
I am pretty sure the benefits system was explained to you at least once while you where in the service - hopefully you stayed awake during that explanation. If you didn't consider it when you made a choice to separate too bad - stop whining and get on with your life.
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You're wrong. You are not being discriminated against. You don't have base access either unless your separation was for more than just completion of your enlistment. Certain benefits require you go all the way to 20 years.
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Nowadays the benefits of shopping at the BX/PX are not that great compared to the local marketplace, in my opinion. I was stateside last year and did some shopping while on the west coast. Before that was a couple of years before in Japan. It is a fair deal overseas to get things you are use to having. Stateside, the only advantage I see is sales tax savings. Do you deserve to be able to shop there as a non-retiree or not rated 100%? NO!
It doesn't matter how many times you went outside the wire or that you were injured in the process. I am sympathetic for your injury but pure and simple the policy is good as it is. Unless and until someone at a much higher pay grade changes the policy, You will have to settle for Wally World, Target' and other discount shopping emporiums.
It doesn't matter how many times you went outside the wire or that you were injured in the process. I am sympathetic for your injury but pure and simple the policy is good as it is. Unless and until someone at a much higher pay grade changes the policy, You will have to settle for Wally World, Target' and other discount shopping emporiums.
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Yes, Retirees deserve access to AAFES stores. Not even sure why this is even a questions. If you do not retire from service, no, you should not be given access to AAFES stores.
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SFC Benjamin Harrison
While I completely agree with this, what will the future look like once the 20 year retirement program is eliminated? This has been running across my mind since the pentagon started discussing elimination of the all or nothing retirement programs currently in place. While I hope the top brass will remember those who are willing to put in the time even if that 401K looks nice after 5 or 10 years of service, we will still need to have something in place to keep Soldiers for the long haul.
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GySgt Carl Rumbolo
It is most likely based on reading the current proposals that retirement after 20 years will still have the benefits of continued access to base / post exchanges, commissary and medical coverage - at this point.
It is possible that commissaries will be significantly reduced / closed in CONUS - and frankly, it's one thing I could care less about (IMHO) - I have been into a number of commissaries since retirement and found that there is little price difference, and the quality of produce and meat is less than what I can get on the civilian side - a few things are less expensive (generally) but it's not that much of an enticement.
Medical coverage is another interesting topic - right now that is the benefit I find to be of significant value, as a 'second payer' after my primary coverage and for the pharmacy benefit. However, I can see down the road another 10 years or so, if we ever get to a national health insurance program (something sorely needed) then that military benefit might not be the value it is (depending on how a national health plan is structured).
There will always be a value in a 20 or 30 year career - even with something like a portable 401k system, the 'new' system doesn't take affect until 2018 and will likely be 'tweaked' before then.
For those of you old sods like me - remember the changes to military retirement that occurred in the 1980's from 'Final Pay" to "High 36" to "REDUX" - I'd guess that the majority of folks in came in after 1986, so they had the option of the High 36 or the Career Status Bonus system - I counseled folks that the High 36 was the better option, unless you knew with absolute certainty you'd go past 20 years.
It is possible that commissaries will be significantly reduced / closed in CONUS - and frankly, it's one thing I could care less about (IMHO) - I have been into a number of commissaries since retirement and found that there is little price difference, and the quality of produce and meat is less than what I can get on the civilian side - a few things are less expensive (generally) but it's not that much of an enticement.
Medical coverage is another interesting topic - right now that is the benefit I find to be of significant value, as a 'second payer' after my primary coverage and for the pharmacy benefit. However, I can see down the road another 10 years or so, if we ever get to a national health insurance program (something sorely needed) then that military benefit might not be the value it is (depending on how a national health plan is structured).
There will always be a value in a 20 or 30 year career - even with something like a portable 401k system, the 'new' system doesn't take affect until 2018 and will likely be 'tweaked' before then.
For those of you old sods like me - remember the changes to military retirement that occurred in the 1980's from 'Final Pay" to "High 36" to "REDUX" - I'd guess that the majority of folks in came in after 1986, so they had the option of the High 36 or the Career Status Bonus system - I counseled folks that the High 36 was the better option, unless you knew with absolute certainty you'd go past 20 years.
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We Paid our Dues for a Career I think we deserve some privileges above others.
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SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury
True. Playing the game this long there should be some incentives that are better than those for the guys who get out after 1-2 terms... As it stands now the benefits for staying in for 20+ is on a decline for desirability, especially with the retirement overhaul. Once that kicks in if a service member could get a decent trade and a degree and all through the service and could get out - they would be stupid not to...
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Well I thank you for your service and completely understand injuries can make it difficult to complete a career to retire. I had to attend a medical review board to stay in. As a service connected injured veteran you do qualify for certain other benefits, but comparing to a retiree after over 20 years is just not the same. All organizations have benefits after completing retirement criteria and if you do not meet them them you do not receive those benefits.
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I'd like to see Combat Veterans added to the list of people who are eligible to use the PX and Commissary. That said, the military has always been fairly clear on that the requirements were to use the PX or Commissary once you were no longer active duty... calling those rules unfair or claiming that you have a right even though you didn't meet clearly established requirements is just sad.
It's a benefit for soldiers that costs DoD little or nothing and actually benefits soldiers currently serving by increasing the amount of revenue MWR generates. It's a good idea IMO, however it is not owed to anyone but those who met established requirements.
It's a benefit for soldiers that costs DoD little or nothing and actually benefits soldiers currently serving by increasing the amount of revenue MWR generates. It's a good idea IMO, however it is not owed to anyone but those who met established requirements.
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SSG Nick Tramontano
Last I checked ,you had an 8 year obligation of service when you joined. If you did 3 or 4 years on active duty you would be 'separated from active duty' NOT discharged. In that case you will be put in IRR status and given an ID card with an exp date for the remainder. That would allow you to use AAFES for several years. Otherwise you can join the Guard or Reserve and you'll have full privileges.
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SSG (Join to see)
SSG Nick Tramontano - I don't believe Reservists get those privileges unless their on orders or can otherwise prove their on active duty.
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SSG Nick Tramontano
SSG (Join to see) - I joined the National Guard a couple years after my discharge from RA. As long as you had a valid ID card you could use all the facilities. Exchange, commissary, craft shops, etc... .
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No. I appreciate that you served your country honorably for 6 years and I salute you for having served in a combat zone. You may have had 6 "hard" years of service, but it doesn't compare to the service members who are retiring today with 20 years of service and 5 or more deployments into combat zones plus many other family separation events for training or non-combat unaccompanied assignments. Using on-base facilities is a privilege afforded retirees in recognition of their long and honorable service. Sorry, but you just didn't do the "long" part. I shop both AAFES and civilian stores for major purchases and prices are often as good a the "big box" stores, sometimes better.
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You should not complain. I'm sorry you got injured by wearing the gear needed to protect you. While 10 times out side the wire may be a big deal for you, others of us did that in less than a month. Those rules are there so businesses like AAFES don't go out of business supporting troops. It's not just troops here in the states, they provide " the little things " that make deployment bearable. If you were man or woman enough to serve then you should voice this complaint using your name not hide. I hope you figured out your situation. Before you gripe any more go talk to a Vietnam vet, Join an American legion and do some community service. Seems like you could usea bit of reality.
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SSgt Troy Allen
Actually, you might consider a reality check of your own. AAFES is self-supporting. That means it receives 99% of operating funds from sales, not funded by government. In case you haven't noticed, there is a drawdown going on. AAFES has been closing and combining facilities overseas, and just completed a huge voluntary early separation/retirement sweep to save on operating expense so payouts to MWR programs can continue. People complain about AAFES not being competitive, but they don't realize the total universe of authorized customers is orders of magnitude smaller than Walmart or Target, so they don't have the same leverage to buy in large quantities. As the drawdowns continue and the customer base dwindles, there's a real threat your precious AAFES 'benefit' will go away. That's why there is an effort to authorize access to shopmyexchange.com for honorably discharged veterans. What I've just explained to you are the REAL rules of business when it comes to AAFES.
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SSgt Troy Allen
Sgt Gus Laskaris - Some merchandise is less expensive than mass retailers, some merchandise is not. The AAFES buying teams would have more leverage if they could increase their order size because the customer base is larger than it is now. Ask yourself this: Is the $373 million distributed to MWR programs from AAFES from FY2014 still necessary?
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