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
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Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 625
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I would really love to come to your defense as a brethren AF member, but I simply can't. I do not mean in any way to denigrate your service, but no.
A couple points of flawed logic here:
1) To say, "I did as much as most retirees, including retired grunts" is flagrantly absurd. Especially when there are retirees that spend their ENTIRE career deploying... for a year at a time... going outside the wire daily... humping rucks... Do you see where I am going with this?
2) "I respect that retirees served a little bit longer, but I did 7 months in Iraq." A *little* bit longer? You floundered between 5 years and 6 years in, so they served 14-15 years more. That is a lot more.
Please enjoy all the benefits that Target and Walmart offer. They sometimes have better prices than the BX.
A couple points of flawed logic here:
1) To say, "I did as much as most retirees, including retired grunts" is flagrantly absurd. Especially when there are retirees that spend their ENTIRE career deploying... for a year at a time... going outside the wire daily... humping rucks... Do you see where I am going with this?
2) "I respect that retirees served a little bit longer, but I did 7 months in Iraq." A *little* bit longer? You floundered between 5 years and 6 years in, so they served 14-15 years more. That is a lot more.
Please enjoy all the benefits that Target and Walmart offer. They sometimes have better prices than the BX.
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MAJ (Join to see)
CMSgt (Join to see) - Back in Afghanistan, doing what I do. Life is good.
I hope life is treating you well!
I hope life is treating you well!
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SSG E Williams
You don't think it's right because you don't qualify under the Regs....shame, should had stayed in and got that benny like we others did that put up with far more than you did and longer!!!!
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SPC (Join to see)
AAFES has the worst prices anyway. They asked me to test their new website about a year or two ago and I thought their prices were outrageous. I told them they can keep their website and I'll never shop there unless they make their prices more competitive. I was also not impressed with their offerings.
According to their rules, only active-duty military, retirees, National Guardsmen, Reservists, and 100 percent disabled Honorably Discharged Veterans are authorized. All other Honorably Discharged Veterans can only use the online store. For the Anonymous OP you have the option to use the online store. They used to not even allow that years ago.
According to their rules, only active-duty military, retirees, National Guardsmen, Reservists, and 100 percent disabled Honorably Discharged Veterans are authorized. All other Honorably Discharged Veterans can only use the online store. For the Anonymous OP you have the option to use the online store. They used to not even allow that years ago.
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Oh I don't know, I did 18 years and two deployments plus I have lost the use of my legs so I didn't get full retirement, but your right we are same.
Hahahahaha
I know brothers who are a lot more disabled than me and our disabilities were not from a kit. So with much deference to your service I find your attitude of entitlement insulting
Hahahahaha
I know brothers who are a lot more disabled than me and our disabilities were not from a kit. So with much deference to your service I find your attitude of entitlement insulting
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SFC Aaron Lewis
Don't feel left out MSgt, $24,000, actually $22,500 is pre tax and every year it will go up due to pay increases. This number also doesn't take into account disability rating or VA. Todays retirees are absolutely making more than those ten years ago and in 10 years I will look at younger generations differently also. What SSG Bozo is not accounting for are the changes that take place every year that modify our retirement perspective. Yes every year new retirees are making a few more bucks due to their pay at the time of retirement. But to think that there are no insurance issues or co pays means he hasn't began to prepare to leave active duty. Every year there are more and more stories of possible changes to retirement, or benefits. Luckily most of the Idea Fairies are shot down but there are a few that still get through. I will retire soon and become the third consecutive generation of military retired men in my family. Each one had completely different retirement standards. Some better but most not so much. Before long it may end up a gold watch and a pat on the ass out the door, welcome 401k Army. As far as shopping at the PX, well it gives us a tax break, great, its not like the prices are any better. A $100 item still costs $100, the only difference is we cant claim anything purchased there on your taxes, so its the same outcome. Every year the Exchange is becoming less and less advantageous for saving. I live 1/2 mile from mine and I never go there because their stock sucks and the prices are not saving me anything. I look at it like SAM's Club, My service provides my membership. Retirees have earned the right to shop at the PX, if nothing else because they retired, period. Anyone that would even question that would have to be extremely selfish, or just a self entitled prick. Yes there are a lot of prior service that I feel should have been retired not just discharged. That's not my lane to determine. If you left service honorably and proud with your head held high, whether you have Exchange privileges or not, thank you for your service and I hope your country is taking care of you and your family. For those of you that didn't, or feel entitled because your super special and you want to celebrate it, Wal-Mart has a club also, they give out cards and everything. Have a ball.
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Suspended Profile
SFC (Join to see) - No copay??? What the hell are you talking about....tricare has copays for retirees ......either that or i'm getting screwed over
Suspended Profile
SFC Aaron Lewis - Just FYI there has been no pay raise in retiree pay or VA disability pay for three years......it's not a guarantee never has been.......it's one of the reason that the longer you've actually been retired the less your retirement is worth....it does not keep up with the cost of living.
SFC Aaron Lewis
MSgt Ronald Stacy - I admit don't have a full handle on the flow of retirement pay yet. I was just using an example. I have no elusions that retirement pay wont cover me for the rest of my life. Unless I love refrigerator boxes... Thanks for the info though.
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@Anonymous, you lost me with this single comment: "I respect that retirees served a little bit longer, but I did 7 months in Iraq." My legitimate thought on this is "so what?" Not saying that service in Iraq (or Afghanistan, HOA, etc) is something to dismiss, but lets be clear here, if we are going to go based on where and how long someone served, I would start with COMBAT Vietnam, Korea, and WWII vets FIRST, than move to those who served in country, so on and so forth.
I note that you make a fuss over being in Iraq and "going outside the wire" once every 2.5 weeks or so (7 months x 4 weeks =28 weeks, divide that by 10 (the number of times you say you went outside) and rounded to nicer number), so If we lowered the criteria to going outside at least once a week, you would still be mad, even thought they clearly are "owed" it more than you. How about we limit it to just folks with CAB, CAM, CAR, CFMB, CIB, and awards with "V" devices etc?
My BL point here is this, stop trying to justify your service for benefits by creating even smaller and smaller classes of "veterans" just so that you can fit in the box. Be proud of your service, enjoy the benefits you earned, don't complain about the ones you failed to meet the well established requirements for?
MAJ (Join to see) Capt Richard I P. SSG James J. Palmer IV SFC Mark Merino CMSgt (Join to see) SMSgt (Join to see) SSgt (Join to see)
I note that you make a fuss over being in Iraq and "going outside the wire" once every 2.5 weeks or so (7 months x 4 weeks =28 weeks, divide that by 10 (the number of times you say you went outside) and rounded to nicer number), so If we lowered the criteria to going outside at least once a week, you would still be mad, even thought they clearly are "owed" it more than you. How about we limit it to just folks with CAB, CAM, CAR, CFMB, CIB, and awards with "V" devices etc?
My BL point here is this, stop trying to justify your service for benefits by creating even smaller and smaller classes of "veterans" just so that you can fit in the box. Be proud of your service, enjoy the benefits you earned, don't complain about the ones you failed to meet the well established requirements for?
MAJ (Join to see) Capt Richard I P. SSG James J. Palmer IV SFC Mark Merino CMSgt (Join to see) SMSgt (Join to see) SSgt (Join to see)
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PO1 Rexford Dundon
I retired from the Navy in 1 Nov 2011, 20 years and 7 days of active duty service, 13 of those are sea duty. I'm sorry, unless you were medically separated from the service through NO fault of your own, NO you don't deserve to get what someone that put in 20+ gets. This isn't Congress, where you do your 2 years and your now "vested" into the Congressional retirement system..
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SFC Josh Billingsley
I spent over 13 years in, just recently got out and I have no complaint that I can't use the PX/BX. I plan on joining the reserves in the near future, and maybe I'll take advantage of those benefits again. but consider this, those folks who spent 20 years or more, or were 100% disabled EARNED that lifelong right. The pX is not a privelege that can be extended to every has been who joined the ranks, if so where does it stop? The kid who gets kicked out of boot because he quits during his PT test? Why stop there? How about our DEP-loss soldiers-they swore an oath of enlistment, they just never served. If this privilege is extended to everyone, it will soon not seem like much of a privilege at all. One of the benefits of this benefit is that it is not available to everyone and anyone. Those who use it have earned the right to use it. Let it go, you had your 5 years to use it. I really don't think I would publicly share that my "kit" hurt my shoulder. I got a buddy who's still serving who is still getting shrapnel removed from his shoulder, and he's still proudly serving in the ranks. please take your pity party elsewhere, you're not going to get much sympathy here.
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Anonymous....? I'm glad you're still with us after leaving the wire 10 times...! Try hundreds of patrols and missions. I could only imagine what you would feel entitled to if you'd done that. Thanks for the years that you did put in though. Now go do good things and be a good representative for service members in the civilian sector.
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SFC (Join to see)
SPC Larry Boutwell Not that I know of. With a last name like that, he had to be a good guy though... lol
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SFC (Join to see)
Why shouldn't retirees deserve access to AAFES, that is part of the benefits for serving for 20 plus years. Do we deserve it more no but do we deserve it less, hell no!
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SGT Mathew Husen
How do you hurt your shoulder wearing your gear 10 times. My gear consisted of body armor, a radio, 300 5.56 rounds, 4 9mm clips, a M9, a M4 and my camel back. I went on countless missions and my shoulders have no issues. Must of been wearing his gear improperly.
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SSG (Join to see)
SGT Mathew Husen - You have that right, I don't know what the Air Force wore out the wire, but I am a big guy, my body armor with all the ammo etc went for about 68 lbs, not including ruck and other equipment we lugged around.
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First of all, if you're not good enough to put a name behind the post then so be it. No way does six, seven years equal twenty. Would you like a little cheese and crackers with your whine?
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MSG Brad Sand
SGM Mikel Dawson
I guess the math in Denmark is the same as the math in the US? 5 does not equal 20. As I think about this now, of ALL the things he wants after 5 years in the military, his answer is access to AAFES Stores?
I guess the math in Denmark is the same as the math in the US? 5 does not equal 20. As I think about this now, of ALL the things he wants after 5 years in the military, his answer is access to AAFES Stores?
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SGM Mikel Dawson
In the States I've noticed most of the "warehouse" type stores are cheaper than AAFES. I know when I was down in Germany, around a base and had my vehicle, I'd shop the bases, but for me now, the transport costs are so high it doesn't pay. The only thing I really miss over here is the fuel coupons. Now those saved a lot.
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Airman Anonymous (damn, that sounds like a 12-step program!), though I replied to you last evening, in my typical sarcastic manner, asking if you frequently made LOGPAC runs to the AAFES complex on VBC, there is so much more that I failed to mention, things that you need to hear, whether you wish to hear them or not.
Back in February, I posted a question on this forum, asking what's the problem with the Air Force culture? That post is the most popular question I have ever asked here on RP, and as a result, I now have connections with Air Force personnel at all levels who have been more than patient with me in explaining how the Air Force is structured, organizational relationships, mission-oriented mindsets, internal cultures and attitudes, etc. Though a few people here and there took mild offense to an Army Officer posing this question, I have thus far been able to explain that it is merely based upon perceptions and observations of one or more sister service and how these in turn are blended into a larger myth or legend that the Air Force has serious issues as a fighting force. Thus far, my explanation has been satisfactory. I invite you and highly encourage you to take a good look at this post.
Through the discussions in the threads on this post, I have met many proud and outstanding Air Force professionals; men and women I would gladly go to war with any day: Capt Christopher Mueller; CMSgt (Join to see); MSgt Jim Pollock; Col Joseph Lenertz; TSgt Joshua Copeland; SSgt (Join to see); MSgt Jack Finchum; TSgt (Join to see); MSgt Jamie Lyons; Col Michael Grubbs, Ph.D., LMFT-S... and many more I could list, but simply haven't the time (For those not mentioned by name, please know you have not been slighted.).
These proud, dedicated professionals have educated and enlightened not just me, but thousands of others here on RP, assuring us all that in fact the answer to my question is that there is no true problem with the culture of the Air Force, it's more a matter of perception.
So then, why do questions like this continue to persist and pester the United States Air Force? Do you know why Airman Anonymous?
These questions, and the perceptions that accompany them, persist because of Airmen like you! Your entire attitude of entitlement, "I wanna go to the PX!", "I'm 30% disabled just from wearing my BA!" ""I went outside the wire 10 times in 7 months!"... Look in the mirror? What do you see? If you don't see the personification of the problem with Air Force culture, perhaps you can get a VA rating for your vision, too!
It would have been more than okay to ask the opinion of the RP community whether or not PX privileges is a benefit that should be open to anyone honorably discharged after his or her initial term of service. In fact, if you were to frame your question like that, I'm willing to bet that 99% of the members on here would see no need for you to cloak yourself under a veil of secrecy. However, that wasn't your game plan, and quite frankly, whoever it was in the RP Headshed that decided to sanction your stunt by posting it for you did the wrong thing and has set a bad precedent for the future.
Your attitude is abysmal. It is beyond insulting. I thank you for your service; yes, you have done more than most, but so little in comparison to many others. If I were you, I would respectfully request whoever posted this at your behest to remove it, and in it's place post a sincere and heartfelt apology to all of those you have insulted.
Back in February, I posted a question on this forum, asking what's the problem with the Air Force culture? That post is the most popular question I have ever asked here on RP, and as a result, I now have connections with Air Force personnel at all levels who have been more than patient with me in explaining how the Air Force is structured, organizational relationships, mission-oriented mindsets, internal cultures and attitudes, etc. Though a few people here and there took mild offense to an Army Officer posing this question, I have thus far been able to explain that it is merely based upon perceptions and observations of one or more sister service and how these in turn are blended into a larger myth or legend that the Air Force has serious issues as a fighting force. Thus far, my explanation has been satisfactory. I invite you and highly encourage you to take a good look at this post.
Through the discussions in the threads on this post, I have met many proud and outstanding Air Force professionals; men and women I would gladly go to war with any day: Capt Christopher Mueller; CMSgt (Join to see); MSgt Jim Pollock; Col Joseph Lenertz; TSgt Joshua Copeland; SSgt (Join to see); MSgt Jack Finchum; TSgt (Join to see); MSgt Jamie Lyons; Col Michael Grubbs, Ph.D., LMFT-S... and many more I could list, but simply haven't the time (For those not mentioned by name, please know you have not been slighted.).
These proud, dedicated professionals have educated and enlightened not just me, but thousands of others here on RP, assuring us all that in fact the answer to my question is that there is no true problem with the culture of the Air Force, it's more a matter of perception.
So then, why do questions like this continue to persist and pester the United States Air Force? Do you know why Airman Anonymous?
These questions, and the perceptions that accompany them, persist because of Airmen like you! Your entire attitude of entitlement, "I wanna go to the PX!", "I'm 30% disabled just from wearing my BA!" ""I went outside the wire 10 times in 7 months!"... Look in the mirror? What do you see? If you don't see the personification of the problem with Air Force culture, perhaps you can get a VA rating for your vision, too!
It would have been more than okay to ask the opinion of the RP community whether or not PX privileges is a benefit that should be open to anyone honorably discharged after his or her initial term of service. In fact, if you were to frame your question like that, I'm willing to bet that 99% of the members on here would see no need for you to cloak yourself under a veil of secrecy. However, that wasn't your game plan, and quite frankly, whoever it was in the RP Headshed that decided to sanction your stunt by posting it for you did the wrong thing and has set a bad precedent for the future.
Your attitude is abysmal. It is beyond insulting. I thank you for your service; yes, you have done more than most, but so little in comparison to many others. If I were you, I would respectfully request whoever posted this at your behest to remove it, and in it's place post a sincere and heartfelt apology to all of those you have insulted.
What's The Problem With The Air Force Culture? | RallyPoint
EDIT: In the interest of fairness and full disclosure, I am leaving the original text of this post below so that you may see how I originally approached this question. When I first posted this, I was still a relative newcomer to RallyPoint. I was and still am curious about Air Force culture, working on Fort Snelling, MN, home of the 934th Air Wing, United States Air Force Reserve as well as the 133rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Minnesota Air...
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PO1 Aaron Wetzel
Sorry for your disability. Thank you for your service to our vountry. But really, think about what you say before saying it. Doing more the retired vets in 5 or so years. You did but a quarter of service required to retire with those benefits. Was being able to shop at any exchange or commisary the reason I did my 20 years of service? Sure it's a nice perk but no not the reason why I did 20. You had a choice to stay or go. We all had that choice to stay or go. I stayed. You did not. So please try not to compare a 5 year stay to 20 plus years. It's almost like a slap in the face.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
I don't know about this so called Air Force Culture, I'm retired Air Force. I did put in over 20 years in uniform. The benefits are earned by paying Your dues as required by regulation and then and only then are You in a position to receive the available services. My mindset is of a Military culture not service specif. Do the time if You expect to receive the extra dime.
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Non-retiree here. Did 8 years and got out.
Here's my take.
Veterans are Discharged. We leave the service.
Retirees are not. They are removed from the active rolls, and subject to recall.
As such, they are "entitled" (I hate to use this word) to specific privileges, such as the Commissary, Exchange, etc.
Would I like to have those privileges? You bet I would. Do I "deserve" those privileges? No. The Law is very clear about who gets those specific privileges.
Heck, 15 years ago, reservists didn't even have the same privileges as active duty. I knew a Reserve Major, who had a Dependents ID Card, which granted him better Base Privileges than his own Geneva Convention Card (Military ID aka CAC).
For several years now, Congress has researched whether granting additional privileges to Vets would make sense. Each year it is "tabled." Maybe someday that will change, but as it stands, a Vet's Benefits are different than a Retiree's Benefits (they also get Vet's benefits).
Here's my take.
Veterans are Discharged. We leave the service.
Retirees are not. They are removed from the active rolls, and subject to recall.
As such, they are "entitled" (I hate to use this word) to specific privileges, such as the Commissary, Exchange, etc.
Would I like to have those privileges? You bet I would. Do I "deserve" those privileges? No. The Law is very clear about who gets those specific privileges.
Heck, 15 years ago, reservists didn't even have the same privileges as active duty. I knew a Reserve Major, who had a Dependents ID Card, which granted him better Base Privileges than his own Geneva Convention Card (Military ID aka CAC).
For several years now, Congress has researched whether granting additional privileges to Vets would make sense. Each year it is "tabled." Maybe someday that will change, but as it stands, a Vet's Benefits are different than a Retiree's Benefits (they also get Vet's benefits).
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SFC (Join to see)
Cpl George Randitsas - you are absolutely wrong once your 8 years are up...and not retired you are not subject to recall. this is considering you are enlisted. officers are never fully out until they resign their commission
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LCpl Christopher Dillon
Every vet retired or not should have access to MWR and Exchange facilities - that money stays on base and circulates to support MWR activities. Why anyone would be against this "benefit" doesn't make sense. Shortly vets will be able to shop online with AAFES and that's a step in the right direction..
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CSM Ralph Hernandez
All Soldiers can get recalled if they want. Just like me, I signed up for Retiree recall. If you received a chapter or a Other then Honorable Discharge you
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PO1 LaMarcus Brown
I believe that all retirees should have access to base commissaries and exchanges. That is the perk and benefit of retirement. If you opt not to retire you just opt to not want those benefits.
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I'm also concerned and annoyed. Looking at this post as an admin, I thought anonymous postings weren't allowed. This one seems to have the RallyPoint Team endorsement on it. Has RP sunk so low now that we need to start infighting to increase rankings? I thought RP was better than that. Come on now RP. I know I'm a PV2 and not worthy of your respect. RP Team but seriously? Why would you allow such a thread?
SSG James J. Palmer IV. SFC Mark Merino what do you guys think?
SSG James J. Palmer IV. SFC Mark Merino what do you guys think?
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PV2 (Join to see)
With respect SGM Erik Marquez I would never impede someone's right to free speech and self expression, but I still stand by my initial comment. I felt the sole purpose of this thread was only to divide us, and for RP staff to cherry these kind of threads makes me further question if this is the direction RP wants to go in. I have faith in my fellow members to do the right thing. My argument with this thread is that as an admin, that no anonymous posts are allowed, yet staff bends rules to allow this which I'm guess because a paid client who is advertising is trying to gather market data. If the rules are in place, then let the admins enforce them and let's be consisitent in how said rules are applied. I appreciate what you have to say and have a lot of respect for you CSM so I appreciate you comments!
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SGM Erik Marquez
You have opened my eyes to a point I was not following.. Behind scenes actions that allowed for a rule exception.
I would have to understand WHY this exception was made for this to make sense to me.
I would have to understand WHY this exception was made for this to make sense to me.
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PV2 (Join to see)
Exactly SGM Erik Marquez!! I still don't understand WHY this exception was made myself.
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Bill Dixon
I am not going to argue for or against non-retirees getting access because they will have online access on Nov. 11, 2017. I would like you all to think about why the Exchange exists. Have you ever dropped a child at the youth center or child development center? Have you ever attended an MWR function, concert, ect. Have you ever rented a recreational vehicle from the MWR? Did go bowling on post/base? See a movie? Have a child receive school lunches overseas for free? A large portion of the profit is dedicated to a dividend paid to the local MWR where the money stays. WE say it is your Exchange because it is. Your purchases help all soldiers who use some of these things I described and many more. So, the more people spending money at the Exchange helps, the make better the quality of life for those still serving. When you purchase online, the Exchange nearest you gets the sale which means the MWR gets more money. Think about the legacy you are supporting in the new soldier just starting out. One fight, one team!
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"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."
This is where you went wrong... 7 month tour in comparison to someone who has served 15+ years... well there is no comparison. A little bit longer??? Really??? You're question is condescending.
This is where you went wrong... 7 month tour in comparison to someone who has served 15+ years... well there is no comparison. A little bit longer??? Really??? You're question is condescending.
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SGT (Join to see)
Who are you replying to MSgt Ronald Stacy? I am not bitching about not being able to go to the PX. But yes, I do think honorable discharged Vets should be able to get that little perk. IT's a little perk. Meaning I don't give a rats if I get it or not. There is not anything remotely close to where I live and I've been doing fine so far. But because I only "served 7 years" doesn't mean that my time wasn't as valuable than yours. (I would do it again! I would NEVER serve Under a person like Barack Obama.) Jesus Christ people and their higher than mighty bull.
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Suspended Profile
Sry was posted to wrong thread...was reading multiple entries about BX privileges....bottom line some folks who separated before retirement should probably be granted access but the line had to be drawn somewhere...should they choose to reevaluate they need to be careful to stipulate that "veterans" with other than honorable not be included.....this is not a VA Entitlement.....its a huge privilege
CW2 Ernest Krutzsch
I think that if the VA gives you additional benefits if you are 30% disabled, maybe they should reconsider and give disabled vets access, don't know if it should be at 30% or 50%, but it is something to think about
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Wow... The balance between tactful and professional response or offering this bozo a nice cup of STFU... Which way does an old Jarhead/Airman/Soldier lean...? Let's see...30+ years in 3 different uniforms. Deployments going back to 1983 - more than 11 and possibly more in the future. Time inside and outside the wire in Boznia and Iraq. Pins in my leg from one too many non-Hollywood jumps. NO 30% rating from VA (yes, I need to take the time to file but it hasn't been a priority). Came OUT of retirement to put the uniform BACK on and NOT file for VA disability. Aches having nothing to do with wearing my gear.
7 months in Iraq. Not touching that one.
The fact that there is an attempt to equate 5 years of service to 1) a full 20 year commitment and 2) that anyone is the AF not serving as a TACP, PJ, CCT or SERE compares themselves to a retired Grunt... This is where the tactful and professional response comes in to play... I'll just say thank you for your hardship tour in the Box.
Gonna sign off now with this...
If you want the respect of those on this site then man-up, step-up and put your name on your post.
David L. Strickland
CPL -USMC
MSGT-USAFR
CPT-USAR
7 months in Iraq. Not touching that one.
The fact that there is an attempt to equate 5 years of service to 1) a full 20 year commitment and 2) that anyone is the AF not serving as a TACP, PJ, CCT or SERE compares themselves to a retired Grunt... This is where the tactful and professional response comes in to play... I'll just say thank you for your hardship tour in the Box.
Gonna sign off now with this...
If you want the respect of those on this site then man-up, step-up and put your name on your post.
David L. Strickland
CPL -USMC
MSGT-USAFR
CPT-USAR
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SPC Daniel Bowen
If you did your time and retired as in 20+ years, damn straight you earned your benefits. If you didn't, then no. I do not think for half a second that because of the crap I went through that I deserve lifetime additional retirement benefits. Even if my experience in war outweighs that of someone who never deployed. You get rewarded for giving your whole lifes time, you get something else for giving less time. Easy peasy, simple earnings. Should you get paid the $50k yr from your job if you only worked 6 months of it? No! Anyone who thinks otherwise, grab some boots and ruck on.
P.S I love this site
P.S I love this site
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