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 am retired and haven't been in an AAFES facility in more than 15 years and very seldom used them when active duty the last 5 years or so. Unless you were under 30 the clothes were mostly for the younger troops and even designer labels were cheaper off base even with the tax. You're not really missing anything. Thanks for your service but inside the wire troops are important too so your argument to me is moot. Ruck up and move on.
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Because I want to keep it clean I am not gonna say completely what I would tell one of my Soldiers to their face. You are a veteran I will give you that but to say you are on the same level as every other veteran is complete BS. AAFES has its rules, learn to deal with it and just get a membership at SAMs Club.
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A little humility on your part would go along way in my opinion. I personally led 18 missions outside the wire in Iraq. I wouldn't even begin to compare that to the sacrifice of our fellow Veterans who did 20 years or more. Sure, there's a certain amount of risk involved with a deployment. But it's a short period of time. How many birthdays, holidays, tee-ball games, etc did the Veterans you're comparing yourself to miss over 20 years? Chances are they're deployed several times themselves.
An area where I do support expanding benefits is those who are medically retired. My wife received a blue "retired" ID after being medically retired but apparently that's not the case for all. If it were up to me any servicemember discharged due to injuries incurred during military service would receive at least these basic benefits.
An area where I do support expanding benefits is those who are medically retired. My wife received a blue "retired" ID after being medically retired but apparently that's not the case for all. If it were up to me any servicemember discharged due to injuries incurred during military service would receive at least these basic benefits.
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Seriously?!? I mean SERIOUSLY?!? My first thought here was this has to be a joke. I honestly hope it is a joke. I voted a "No" here and would leave this comment for the poster:
There have been many brothers and sisters that served less time than you, made fewer trips outside the wire than you, deployed for less than 7 months at a time, spent countless hours missing Mom, Dad, Wife, Husband, Son, Daughter, Brother, Sister, and many other family members just like you, didn't have to wait as long as you for a letter or a care package, didn't have to carry his/her "kit" quite as long or far as you, and ultimately, unlike you, travelled home in a pine box. Be proud of the time you served and think often of the families that can no longer hold their son or daughter, kiss their husband or wife, those that don't get that kiss on the cheek from mom/dad, the daughter whose mom isn't around to plan that wedding, or her dad isn't there to walk her down the aisle. I could go on and on. Man/Woman up! Service to this great country does not mean rich brat entitlement!
Thank you for your service and I am glad you made it home safely.
There have been many brothers and sisters that served less time than you, made fewer trips outside the wire than you, deployed for less than 7 months at a time, spent countless hours missing Mom, Dad, Wife, Husband, Son, Daughter, Brother, Sister, and many other family members just like you, didn't have to wait as long as you for a letter or a care package, didn't have to carry his/her "kit" quite as long or far as you, and ultimately, unlike you, travelled home in a pine box. Be proud of the time you served and think often of the families that can no longer hold their son or daughter, kiss their husband or wife, those that don't get that kiss on the cheek from mom/dad, the daughter whose mom isn't around to plan that wedding, or her dad isn't there to walk her down the aisle. I could go on and on. Man/Woman up! Service to this great country does not mean rich brat entitlement!
Thank you for your service and I am glad you made it home safely.
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I don't see the the right to shop at the commissary or exchange as a benefit I would use if I were entitled. Maybe to support MWR once in awhile. But as a money saving choice, not in this area, factor in the time and fuel and I wouldn't save a dime. I think they could and should widen their consumer options to help them compete and let them better serve the troops. But they must have some guide lines to follow or maybe they are making enough as it is now.
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The way the question is worded threw me for a minute, if the poll is what you're really asking. Frankly the PX system is no great shakes. I don't find it's worth the drive from mid town OKC to Tinker AFB (about 5 miles). A better question is "is the commissary worth it?" Of course the commissary is a different entity from the PX system.
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I feel any service member who is service connected and have served more than the 180 days service and injured in the line of duty. Is entitled to services . Just remember AAFES Is not the best price Value in all areas. I have found things in the Exchange that was priced higher than my local Macy's store . The days of shopping savings at the Exchange went out with the rise of Walmart .
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I don't think you should rate the PX privileges unless you are retired. Why would you expect to receive this benefit if you dont qualify for it? There is no hardship requirement for retirement or Exchange/Commissary access it is completely related to years of service. Medical retirement is different than the disability you are collecting.
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