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

@anonymous (who I think is just a false poster just to generate discussion)
The following statistics are the best I could find at the moment; however, for the trends and my point, they will work. In 2011 there were 130,206 military individuals eligible for longevity retirement, of those only 34,859 or 26.8% retired; this from a total force of 1,429,995 (all branches). So as one can see, the actual retirement pool is small and the actual retiree pool is smaller. If it were easy, everybody would do it.
When I joined in 1981, I was promised certain things if I served honorably and retired, PX and commissary privileges were part of the package. I subsequently served 23 years on active duty and 7 years in the reserve system; total 30 years. I was medically discharged with 80% rating. My only MOS that I carried through two combat operations (Grenada and Iraq) was 11B (Infantry); hence the 80 percent disability.
I made an agreement with my country and stood by that agreement, thick and thin, and my country has honored their part (so far). If you feel that your limited service and experiences equate to most “longevity retired” Veterans, then petition you elected representatives and attempt to have them make changes. As the military is cutting down and DOD is looking at restructuring retirement benefits, I think you may be wasting more of your time.

I don't think you phrased the question in the right way. The tone especially is galling.
A better question would be, "should AAFES facilities be available to veterans, disabled veterans, etc, if practicable?"
Personally, I miss the museums, gyms and pools more than the px. I'd like to see a program where veterans can get on post and access some things. Like a membership club similar to COSTCO. Pay $100 a year and get access to the px and some MWR facilities like the gym, campgrounds, etc. Obviously still charge for things, probably a higher a rate and put us at the bottom of the priority list.
But I'm looking at this as a revenue stream. I'm not sure what the costs of integration would be.
In the end though these "perks" are for active service members. Historically retirees kept close to military installations, or, like Eisenhower, lived on the installations after retirement. Any American military history fan can tell you how important those retirees were given the fluctuations in the size of the military in the 19th and early 20th centuries. They were pressed back into service over and over. And that's the kicker, a retired veteran is subject to bring called back into active service and it has happened. When I was in, 1999-2004, a 72 year old retired psychiatrist was brought back to active duty because he was one of the last mental health people around with experience dealing with large numbers of PTSD.
Talk to the officers who served during the cold war, ask them about plans for mobilizing large numbers of troops. Who would lead those new units? Retirees called back to service. then maybe, after the draft started, people like you and me might fill out the middle ranks.
So that's why retirees get the things they do. They aren't retired in the traditional civilian sense, it's more like the inactive reserve.

I called AAFES and VETERANS do have access to their site through the Veteran's canteen site. I thought it was weird that civilian government employees had access but the Veterans we serve didn't. Have fun shopping!

I shop at the Exchanges and Commissaries knowing that the prices isn't like it use to be years ago, but knowing that some monies is contributed to the MWR is a plus. I agree with everyone else about better deals at places like Walmart, Target, ect., but those stores doesn't have every exact items on the shelves like AAFES and NEX that's what makes the stores on base unique along with the no tax policy and quality merchandise. Anonymous, thank you for your service, I'm sorry you are disappointed.

Deploying is part of the job we all volunteered for. Getting injured wearing your kit is why you are getting workmans comp va benefits. I do believe combat injured (Purple Heart) service members should be entitled to AAFES. Big difference in injuries from a Kit. You knew you were not getting AAFES when you voluntarily got out. Suck it up cupcake.

For the record: Though I disagree with the contention of this post, I also disagree with all the "down" votes. The question, though ( I believe ) misguided, was asked in good faith, and asked for the opinions of RallyPoint members.
My opinion, respectfully.

I didn't select either answer because neither express my opinion. Your point is well taken. The issue is should Veterans receive exchange and for that matter commissary privileges? Well, it would be good to allow those who served in combat an additional benefit but then you aren't allowing the others such as a 2 year general discharge to use the facilities. What about spouses of veterans? I know a lady who was married for over 35 years to a retired veteran...she can use the facilities because they are now divorced and were only married for 18 of his active duty years even though as I said they were married for a total of over 35 years. A dividing line has to be made and followed like every other rule. Perhaps you can join the guard or reserves and finish your time and regain that privilege.

well hear is my question if you got out then why are you comeing back to base. If you are out then go and do what civilians do. Why if you are out and unless you have any reason to be on base then why are you? Also are you saying that you deserve it because you were in for 5 years or because you were in Iraq for 7 moths or because you left the fob a wopping 10 times? Or is it because you had to wear a IBA? I just don't get why you want it so bad or why you feel that you have done so much to keep it. I try to stay off base when I am off so I don't understand why you want to go shop there. Or why you want to go on base in the first place not being in the military now.

If you got a 30% rating from the Military you would get a medical retirement. Thats the same ID card as a retire with 20 years and an ID card to shop on post etc. If you only got a 30% rating from the VA and less from the military PS it's always less then they decided your injury won't keep you from serving and doing your job. So if your healthy enough to serve and choose NOT to then no you don't deserve the benefits since it's the same as quitting a normal job you lose those benefits when you leave. NOW IF your injury happened ON DUTY AND they decided it prevents you from serving you either get 30% with all the benefits OR a type of payment that's takes in factors assuming you would of stayed in until 20 years then they cut you a large check for your injuries. GOING OUTSIDE THE WIRE doesn't mean anything anyone who served their country and was injured in the line of duty deserves the same benefits if you break your back in training for airborne school you should get the same as someone with the same injury as someone deployed. Most injuries happen in training inside and outside of IET since the military saying is train like you fight so it's easy to get hurt doing routine training missions such as jump school or flying and crashing like just happened in FL we all read about that one recently LONG STORY SHORT ITS ALL ABOUT YOUR RATING 30% gets you the same benefits if that's what the AD rated you now if you can still preform your job then have to keep doing it or naturally you lose the benefits unless your 30 or higher lower gets you a large check for your expected service you have chances to dispute the rating they give you if you chose not to then that's on you they explain all of this on your way out hope i helped forgive the grammar Im on my phone trying to multitask good luck with your rating decision

The policy is just fine.