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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And the Cry Baby of the Year award goes to.......... The Airfoce guy that posted this
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AAFES is a military benefit, if you want to maintain thoes benefits stay active or retire. Its pretty cut and dry. If you want out of the Armed Forces than you getting out of its benefits too.
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SFC (Join to see)
In the end, you still wont get AAFES access, you got out. The fact is you got out, the fact is you still want the benefits of being in. You can not have it both ways, so quit crying and deal with it.
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SSgt Troy Allen
SFC (Join to see) - Your response makes no sense in light of what's at stake.
But in the end, if the DoD agrees to the proposal on the table as we speak, honorably discharged veterans (including myself) WILL get access to shopmyexchange.com, help reduce prices, improve selection, and help save the benefit for EVERYONE including YOU.
But in the end, if the DoD agrees to the proposal on the table as we speak, honorably discharged veterans (including myself) WILL get access to shopmyexchange.com, help reduce prices, improve selection, and help save the benefit for EVERYONE including YOU.
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SFC (Join to see)
Well don't hold you breath, and why would you want to shop at the online exchange, when you can get the same stuff cheaper on amazon, newegg, woot and ebay
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SSgt Troy Allen
SFC (Join to see) - Simple: Amazon, Newegg, Woot and ebay don't give all excess earnings to MWR programs every year. ($300+ million in 2015)
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This is a stupid question. There's simply no other way to put it. You were in the USAF yet "you did as much as grunts"? No, you did not. You're just another person milking the U.S. government by claiming that 30% disability. You think 7 months in Iraq entitles you to anything? Some of our brothers in Special Operations have deployed over 10 times! Retirees SERVED for at least 20 years, longer than 87% of troops! If you asked me, retirees should get a bigger discount than currently serving SMs.
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I believe that all those that honorably served should have the priviledge to shop at AAFES. I do not think that it should only be to those that retired. I did 10 years, and spent many days in another land. I think that it should be open to those that not only retired, but those that also have an honorable discharge. It should not matter the time of service.
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You say you put in your time like everyone else. Well your 6 years doesnt add up to my 22 years, unless you are using common core math.
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You have to do the time little man. I did 4 15 month tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and 21 years in and knew darn well what the rules were. You have to earn it you self entitled little whiner. 7 months? Shut up and sit down.
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Ok I really really want to agree with you, but this is not the reason you deserve base access and AAFES privileges. I think it would be a great benefit because it would help AAFES serve those who still serve. It would bring in more revenue so they could expand their selections and provide more or better services to service members. Using the platform "I did more than you" is a big turn off for most people. Yes, we served but we knew what would happen once we separated.
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Relax AAFES benefits are coming to all Vets retired or not. It's working it's way through Govt approvals but it should happen soon.
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SSgt Troy Allen
Hope so. With drawndowns adversely affecting AAFES buying power, they need a bigger customer base to survive.
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