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

You say you did more than retirees doing 20 plus years in 6 years?? I doubt that very seriously. Quit your whining. Sounds like you are wanting more than you should get. How many nights did you have a bed to sleep in, a shower to wash, and hot meals to eat??? You wouldn't have lasted 1 day in iraq with us.. I can't even believe they gave you 30% disability for nothing. Now quit your belly aching. There are veterans out there that need real help.

My AAFES privileges, came in handy just last year while doing an MI/TI validation. My team was unexpectedly housed and had to conduct operations in an open bay on the vehicle they were doing the form, fit, and function on. I went to the Exchange and purchased watch caps and ear warmers for my crew and our mission was a success.

To the person who posted this, did you think this out before putting it to print? As a 10 year Vet, I would NEVER have put this up here. ijs

In all honesty what makes you think you did as much as a 20 year veteran? Serving a shorter enlistment or officers obligation is your decision and while I do appreciate your service, sacrifice and deployments they are not sufficient to place you at the retiree level. While you feel you served as much as a 20 plus year service member, you did not.
I am including a link about 100% permanently disabled veterans who do have access to the base and all facilities on the base to include exchange privilege's.
I know a lot of veterans who only did between 3 and 10 years for reasons of their own they did not decide to do a full career, but they do not feel entitled to receive the same level of benefits that I do as a 24 year veteran / retiree.
I wont get all negative and say that you knew the AAFES rules but you should have known if your not a full retiree then you are not entitled to some of the base privilege's, its not discrimination its just the rules. Maybe one day they will change the rules but until that time you wont be entitled to use AAFES.

Here is the link:
http://www.lst1150.com/additional-benefits-when-rated-100-disabled-by-the-va.html

IMHO, veterans that left service short of 20 years with an honorable or under honorable conditions should not have the same level of entitlements as a retired service member. In no way does this discredit the non-retiree service; quite the contrary. However, we must recognize that going the distance of 20-30 years in military service is quite an accomplishment that deserves special recognition. Non-retiree veterans and combat veterans do receive other benefits...and I think those benefits to be appropriate.

There is a difference between a veteran and a retiree...they are not the same, and therefore the entitlements reflect that difference, and rightfully so. If you want to continue to shop at AAFES, receive retirement pay, use the post services like the gym and commissary, and continue with TRICARE...do your 20. That is the standard we are all measured by. Not everyone gets a trophy, and I am fine with that.

On another note, only combat veterans honorably discharged/under honorable conditions, and retirees may continue to where their uniforms when they are civilians...for special occasions as outlined in AR 670-1. I think this is an entitlement you can be proud of...there's not many in our society that have this privilege.

If you were medically separated because of an injury suffered while deployed and were no longer deemed fit for duty, then sure I could back that. If you chose to separate, but were still capable of performing your duties, then no.

I am a army veteran 80% disabled. Yes I would like access to aafes. I served one tour for 15 months in Iraq.

This is an incentive to do the full retirement time.

I Did not retire but did 8+ years in 82nd.there is no aafes in Wisconsin but would like the opportunity next time I'm near bragg to look around at the exchange

first i want to thank you for your service.
i spent 26 years of missing birthdays,anniversaries, parties, etc. so as far as being able to use AAFES i think i have put in my time to earn that privilege.
and i have to say it, you knew the rules gong in 20+ gets you these privileges not 19