Do Retirees Really “Deserve” Access to AAFES Stores More Than Non-Retirees?

This is just another example of how the youth of this country feel entitled to things they didn't earn. I am retiring from the Navy this fall after twenty years and am currently on my 8th deployment. While I my experiences on the ship may not be anywhere close to being boots on the ground, working the flight deck is very physically demanding and has left me with many scars and nagging injuries. If you want the privileges then I suggest you re-enlist and finish off the 14-15 years you have left to earn them. The dedication and sacrifice it takes to stay in this lifestyle for twenty years is why retirees get to shop at the Exchange/Commissary, not your level of disability.

You're the reason people make fun of the Air Force.

I believe every Veteran is deserving of this. It's not too much to ask for. I don't see the problem.

I really try to stay positive with my posts, and I am thankful for your service, but if you or anyone can tell me how serving 5 years active is the same as serving 20 years, I am listening. Just that statement is disrespectful to our veterans who have completed full careers. I respect anyone's service, but to start off a thread to a community to which you choose not to belong (RP), and then go on to ask for an opinion on personal benefits, that is simply disappointing.

If you were asking for counseling help, or help with the VA system or with some other service that was affecting your life in a non-material way, I'd be more sympathetic.

Darn it. I think CMSgt (Join to see) laid out the specific points better. Join the web site. Contribute. Be proud of your service and reach out to others that have served. Being angry about possibly not being able to shop at the PX/BX...not the end of the world.

First off Thanks for your service. You did your one 7 month tour In the AIR FORCE and think that You have Done AS MUCH AS THE GRUNTS! Well so to get BUTT HURT, I have seen the way the Air Force Lives. I was a Grunt, And an MP now. I have lived in the foxholes with the spiders, and the sand fleas and the Desert Mice, and Snakes. I have been shot at, and Mortared. I lived in a tent that was made of Cotton material that when it rained ALL you gear was wet. I have been baked in the sun, and frozen in the winter. I have eaten nothing but MRE's For 3 meals a day for 6 months. Our chow hall was an MKT(Mobile Kitchen Trailer), I have 2 bad knee's and a bad back from carrying 185 LBS plus for days on end. I have 15 yrs service in. 5 in the MPs now.
So you put your KIT on every day. Max weight was 100lbs, have 1 tour in Iraq, and have 6 yrs In. Brother all I can say is Get over it. These RETIRED people have put in at LEAST 20 yrs. Some have 35! They might have been to Vietnam and seen just a little more than going out of the wire 10 times. Some have wiped there buddies guts of there face, some have ran through withering fire to get said buddy to the aid station or to the medic.
They didn't stay in Air conditioned room, and have Crab and Lobster at most every meal at the DFAC, and daily trips to the PX. When I was At BIAP you guys had it better than most. Had the Army protecting the the air base and the Security Forces protecting the air base.

SO FORGIVE ME BUT, YES I THINK THE RETIREES DESERVE THE RIGHTS TO THE PX OVER YOU!

Mixed feelings but bottom line, there won't be a critical mass of will to make it happen when the consequence costs are added up. There's no free lunch.

Things have changed over the years for access particularly for Reserve and Guard, but I doubt the notion of anyone who ever served gets the full privilege will come to pass. First a significant expansion of base access which costs. Then an overcrowding of facilities which to rectify would cost. And then the likely demand on all other MWR services which would cost. I doubt the commercial recreation sector would support either, i.e. the cheap 3 Day Disney Park Hopper for such an increase either. Also the commercial sector and unions always lobbies the political types to not take food out of their babies mouths by the government providing expanded services to a large sector. Just ask any Seabee or Army Engineer or Red Horse type how the construction unions won't let them train out in town.

Finally I believe there is an unspoken undercurrent to provision of any service such as medical, dependent access, Exchange, etc. These things are provided to attract and keep service members in, preferably productive and happy as it costs a pile of money to get them trained up and effective. Career types look forward to these services as part of their retirement compensation package. However during my 32 years from E-1 to O-6 and now retired, I've frequently observed a cultural desire by the system for people who no longer serve to just go away and not clog the system. So just think where you are on the "We Care" chain. This attitude gets worse when there are more cuts and leadership is evermore pressed just to get a ship underway let alone care about "noise" elsewhere. The system gets no benefit by doing it and would only do it if forced by legislation which is problematical. The hatchets are already out for retired pay.

I respect the fact that you served but comparing a 5 year enlistment and a 7 month tour with a 20 year career out wrong and multiple tours that combined add up to a couple years is just flat out wrong on so many levels.

I won't even get into your comment about leaving the wire 10 times or so in 7 month (and that you were Air Force). All I have to say to that is I'm combat arms and everytime someone counts their times outside the wire it tells me that it must have been pretty boring... but that is a whole different story, so back on topic.

5 years is just a little bit less than 20+, so why not give everybody full medical benefits to if they served as least one enlistment which could be as short as 2 years, but let me guess 2 would probably not be enough since we don't want to be ridiculous here.
It should be at least 5 years and a couple months in combat?!

It is very sad that even veterans are trying to take some of the hard earn benefits from our retirees. Because if it would be openend up to everyone that ever served at least a couple days thee system would break down and where would be the benefit of staying in then? There wouldnt be one, you get what you worked for and therefore earned.
If you didnt put the time in and dedicated yourself to the profession, thank you for your service best of luck in the civilian world and move on...

One last thing, a lot of the post on here are on point when talking about that we should first take care of our veterans from previous wars (korea, vietnam etc.) becaue they did not have the same support systems in place or the support from the people back then so it's our duty to take care of them.
You did you tour, outstanding, you are getting VA benefits that's what you earned that's what you are getting.

I think that the overall Exchange programs are going the way of the Dodo bird with the slate of future Defense and benefits cuts unless they become revitalized. Reengaging former customers, such as Honorably Discharged personnel, including Medically Discharged personnel, would go a long way to revitalizing these services. In many locales, Base Exchanges can't compete, and only offer tax savings. However, in some communities they are competitive, both in store and online. Perks are of limited value of the service they offer goes away.

I served my 20 but I don't use the AAFES or what the Navy has? I can find better deals off post. I'll put it this way if you didn't put your time in then you shouldn't have those retirees perks, I stuck it out and a bunch others stuck it out, It's only fair.

I do not know how old you are or if you still qualify for military service.

If you do then you can shop AAFES. Simply join a reserve unit. Then after 15 years you can become gray card eligible and at age 60 you are fully retired.