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 >1 y ago
Responses: 625
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I'll be bad and buy anything you want from AAFES as long as it is for personal use. I'm not going to get sucked into a labeling debate of retired vs veteran, combat vs non combat, longevity vs medical retirement, etc. The more restrictions we try to apply to membership, the smaller our group becomes. If I had my way, I would say anyone who served their country honorably should be able to have little perks like that. Retirement has great benefits already (besides the lifetime paycheck) for eexample: medical coverage. I paid an extra $5,000 just to cover Hitomi before we got married. If being able to shop online at the PX can save one of my brothers or sisters $100 or more I say ABSOLUTELY. We already treat civilians better than we get credit for. They can be crack heads and get their free benefits. I can't get a refill on medication through the VA without passing a drug screening first. How does that pass the common sense test?
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SFC Mark Merino
Great story SGT Rick Ash ! In almost 20 years, I never got stationed in Korea. I didn't even know that was possible as a cav guy.
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SSG (Join to see)
I mostly agree with your sentiment...except that I think there is a HUGE difference between retiree and veteran, and that that difference should be recognized. In almost all my posts you will see me telling people that they should stop bitching because civiilians don't give us our proper credit and recognize what we have done. Well, here it's us recognizing other members of our group for what they have done....and in that circle, I believe, retiree is significantly greater than veteran.
ADDED: It's not that I think veterans shouldn't have benefits...it's that if there must be a line drawn, retirees should be on the benefits side while veterans are not.
ALSO ADDED: I firmly believe that if you have to (not choose to) get out of the service due to injuries sustained while in service you should automatically be retired with full benefits. Anything short of that is writing Uncle Sam the blank check", but also allowing it to be cashed and then put you out on your ass. How in the hell is that a good deal for anyone besides the government?
ADDED: It's not that I think veterans shouldn't have benefits...it's that if there must be a line drawn, retirees should be on the benefits side while veterans are not.
ALSO ADDED: I firmly believe that if you have to (not choose to) get out of the service due to injuries sustained while in service you should automatically be retired with full benefits. Anything short of that is writing Uncle Sam the blank check", but also allowing it to be cashed and then put you out on your ass. How in the hell is that a good deal for anyone besides the government?
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SSG (Join to see)
SPC Jeff Daley, PhD I think you misunderstand the intent of my last paragraph. My meaning is if you choose to get out before retirement you forfeit all these benefits. If you retire, or have to get out due to injuries/health issues sustained in the line of duty, in my opinion both should be treated the same...with full benefits. In the case of a medical discharge, I actually think your benefits should be greater than someone who "merely" retired, as your condition will likely affect what you can do outside of the military.
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MSgt Steve Miller
The entire thing is yet another attempt for equality! If you get out before your 20 stop crying about AAFES and move on with your life. AFFES has a poor selection compared to COSTCO and Sam's Club, and its not the savings that folks think. Tax free....big deal....I get that at Home Depot.
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When you get to shop in AAFES again be sure to pick up a tube of this in the OTC medicine aisle.
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SGT (Join to see)
CPT Strickland
If I find the Butthurt cream do you have a APO to send it to ? and how many cases do you need ? or if it is for active duty maybe supply has a NSN# for it I can ask on base for it ?
If I find the Butthurt cream do you have a APO to send it to ? and how many cases do you need ? or if it is for active duty maybe supply has a NSN# for it I can ask on base for it ?
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SGT (Join to see)
Oh should I ask for some whiner aide ? I am sure it comes in easy open cans and bottles too?
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SGT (Join to see)
Up date on Butthurt cream and whiner aid . The sales girl helping me today said "The butthurt cream she did not know when they will have in stock again that it was in too much in high demand . As for whiner aid it now comes in drink boxes for whiner babies with new favors for all occasion. she said one flavor is on such high demand for "why I'm late all the time an it's not my fault" It too is on back order !"
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AAFES is for Active Service Members and Families, and then Retirees. Everyone who serves, does not deserve lifetime benefits.
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COL Charles Williams
Sgt Richard Buckner thank you, I think.... My point was, retirees have earned that right, but not everyone else has, nor should they. Who knew.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
COL Charles Williams - Usually if I go to the PX/BX it because I had made a trip to the commissary and was there anyway. Most the time I can do better off base. in any event You have to look at the quality and know Your prices to determine if the purchase is even worthwhile.
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Congratulations for winning the award of the whiniest drivel ever written on this site. Reading through this thread I think all bases have been covered except one. I think this post may have been intentional trolling. Just like an arsonist that starts a fire and then fades into the crowd to watch the chaos he created.
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Mmmm, wow! The sense of entitlement is strong in this one! So, you left the wire like 10 times over a 7 month time period, eh? Tell me, these 10 occasions wouldn't have been LOGPACs to Victory Base Camp, by chance, would they? I only got there once, and it was on an overnight, but I do hear that they had one fine PX complex there, back in the day! Sounds like your kind of place. Just sayin.
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PO1 Dustin Adams
Posted in another string but; Veterans rated 100% disabled by the VA do have exchange/commissary privileges
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SPC Edward Tapper
100% VA total and permanent diabled may also elect to get a Permanent Military ID card for themselves and their qualifying spouse and dependant children, thusly allowing use of base commissary and AAFES.
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Your delusional rant does not deserve more than that comment.
Good riddance
Good riddance
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You EASed that's it, you get your GI Bill and it sounds like you scammed some "disability" out of it too rock on, thank you for your service, and pound sand.
7 months on FOB Taji and went outside the wire more than 10 times...........seriously bro?
7 months on FOB Taji and went outside the wire more than 10 times...........seriously bro?
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MSG Brad Sand
GySgt (Join to see)
Why would you advise her to pound me? I think my comments on this subject are no where near the thresh hold for being physically assaulted?
Why would you advise her to pound me? I think my comments on this subject are no where near the thresh hold for being physically assaulted?
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GySgt (Join to see)
sand, common now is a naturally occurring granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles. It is defined by size, being finer than gravel and coarser than silt
Sand, Proper noun, Your last name
Sand, Proper noun, Your last name
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No, 7 months of singular sacrifice does not equal 20+ years of dedicated service/sacrifice...
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This was a hard post to stomach. I don't like hearing service members trying to stack up benefits. My wife complains because I won't ask stores if they have military discounts but I don't think it's right. I knew what I signed up for and the terms of that agreement. If someone wants to buy me a beer, great, but I think it's wrong when I hear military or their spouses asking or arguing for a military discount. I know that's not the subject of this post but it is close enough. That I know of, no one should be signing up to get discounts on pots and pans or special treatment from civilians. I think it's embarrassing and below the high standard I believe service members should be attempting to adhere to.
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SSG (Join to see)
SFC (Join to see) SSG Allen, yours is my favorite post I have seen since joining this site about a year ago. Well said, Sir.
I take a military discount when they see my uniform and make the adjustment on their own. I suppose also if it's a LOT of money....cause I am not a moron. Other than this, it never comes up.
I take a military discount when they see my uniform and make the adjustment on their own. I suppose also if it's a LOT of money....cause I am not a moron. Other than this, it never comes up.
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
Good for you for following your beliefs. I feel the same. If its something out there I can take advantage of with minimal effort, great, but like you I don't go gold digging for EVERY opportunity. We're proud to be vets and proud of what we did!
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MSgt Steve Miller
On one hand I see your point SSG, but then I do very much enjoy my 10% off at Home Depot. I spend an easy 5K a year in there, and not having to deal with the tax just makes my GP a little stronger. I live in Surprise AZ, and I'm surrounded by Vets much older than I at 55. Several places in this town offer a discount as there is a larger retired military demographic for businesses to go after. Pushing all of this aside, I see the AFFES comment as a completely different subject. For starters.....AFFES is under federal law, and therefore the individual that made the original post needs to write his/her congressperson.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
I've seen some places that advertise Senior citizen discounts, I'll place my order along with the "Old People Discount" some humor intended there.
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