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 9 y ago
Responses: 625
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Let's just be honest. If you want to get those benefits, join the Reserve or National Guard.
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That is a benefit I earned upon retirement. If a veteran served honorably but did not retire maybe the policy could be looked at and discussion could take place and perhaps the policy could be relaxed. The exchanges need the money for Morale and welfare programs for families. I would say no entitlement to shop at the commissary. That's my 2 cents.
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A review of this site tells who is an authorized AAEFS user: http://www.salutetoyourservice.com/?p=28
Note that you can buy an AAEFS gift card but only for those who have exchange privilege.
Should the benefit include others? Opinions differ.
Is it actually a desirable benefit? Opinions differ.
I believe the situation is defined by DOD directive as US laws.
Note that you can buy an AAEFS gift card but only for those who have exchange privilege.
Should the benefit include others? Opinions differ.
Is it actually a desirable benefit? Opinions differ.
I believe the situation is defined by DOD directive as US laws.
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I recommend you check your enlistment paperwork. If the USAF agreed to give you BX privileges after your enlistment then you probably have a case. If not, count yourself fortunate for having had the an opportunity to pay America back by serving some time in uniform, and don't ever again compare your sacrifice to that of the door kickers and road warriors who do the heavy lifting. You sound like a whiny, self-centered, Entitlement bitch. It's time to man-up.
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Well, I think it's important to remember what the original purpose was for stores on bases to begin with. It was for easy access for members that are stuck on the base. Typically active duty members that don't have transportation (usually low rank) and for those other military members that might be staying on base for other types of duty ie reservists on drill weekends (cause many of them travel great distances to drill) and just typically current military members for convenience. As some bases are pretty far from things. For all others, its a privledge that when times are tough, and congress has to make cuts somewhere, that might be taken away. To include retirees. Think of it like space A flights on military planes. There's definatly priorities given to active duty first, then down the food chain. Retirees last. No where in space A does it say military members that did not finish out as retired. So, the purpose of military things is for military, and when possible, retirees. If you don't like that, then get back in and retire! I know it's tough these days due to all the deployments. But rules are rules. And times are tough. My heart goes out to those military retirees that moved years ago close to bases to be able to take advantage of the THEN low prices. And now live close to a base that has higher prices than Walmart and Target.
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Really? This gets a Command Post slot from Rally Point? I also usually try to stay away from negative comments towards other service members but as a former grunt with 2 tours I can say leaving the wire "more than 10 times" doesn't mean a thing and no, you didn't do as much as a grunt, or a retiree. But I have to go back to my original question, why is this a COMMAND POST? Is Rally Point itself becoming frivolous?
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Your other option (if you qualify) is to join a Guard or Reserve unit of any branch. You must know that you need some form of a DOD ID card when not in uniform, otherwise what's to stop civilians in the area from shopping there ? That alone would cause a loss of tax revenue to the particular state.
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Like others have said if you wanted those benefits you should have stayed in and done 20 or so years.
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While I do not agree with some of the statements made, as a 12 year Veteran, still waiting for my VA claim and disability rating, I feel that my service was worth more than the "nothing" I get now. I chose not to complete another 8 years and go until retirement eligible to instead focus on my family and young children. I then rejoined the civilian work force and started atthe bottom. Again. With "kids" 12-15 years younger than me. I do not regret my decision at all. I very happy with where I am and it is because of the service that I am able to be where I am. That being said, if I had SOMETHING as a benefit for being a Veteran, I would not turn it down. AAFES benefits would be great. No way did I "do more" than a retiree. And I would never compare what I did to anyone else. I do feel we all earned it. But if it would break the system of AAFES, then no way should it change.
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Suspended Profile
No, All veterans should be able to use this service if honorably discharged. Your service should count for something
SGT Rick Ash
TSgt Jackie Jones
I got pancreatic cancer from working on the HPIR radar of the Improved Hawk (CW) Missile System. I have been fighting with the VA since 2/2012. 2 claims and 1 appeal rejected. They checked the NAVY the first time, I was ARMY 6 years. Second time they checked the AIR FORCE. No reason given on why the appeal was rejected. It's all a delay tactic. My SVC OFC says they show no record of my service. Of course, I supplied my DD214 which plainly states ARMY. When they cut out half my pancreas I became clinically diabetic that day. The 6 months of 24/7 chemo caused 100% neuropathy in my hands and feet. I am DISABLED. I'll win eventually. Right now I am owed $90,000 in back pay. Social Security awarded me SSDI within 1 month with back pay. How long have you been waiting on the VA?
Thanks,
Rick
I got pancreatic cancer from working on the HPIR radar of the Improved Hawk (CW) Missile System. I have been fighting with the VA since 2/2012. 2 claims and 1 appeal rejected. They checked the NAVY the first time, I was ARMY 6 years. Second time they checked the AIR FORCE. No reason given on why the appeal was rejected. It's all a delay tactic. My SVC OFC says they show no record of my service. Of course, I supplied my DD214 which plainly states ARMY. When they cut out half my pancreas I became clinically diabetic that day. The 6 months of 24/7 chemo caused 100% neuropathy in my hands and feet. I am DISABLED. I'll win eventually. Right now I am owed $90,000 in back pay. Social Security awarded me SSDI within 1 month with back pay. How long have you been waiting on the VA?
Thanks,
Rick
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TSgt Jackie Jones
Wow, Rick. That is absolutely ridiculous. I was told when I was exiting in Texas, not to start my claim since I was moving to California. BS. I got here and made an appt. they cancelled. Tried again. Cancelled. I quit for a while since I started working full time and "nothing was really wrong" with me. Then it started. My shoulder and neck and feet started to give me problems. My guess is that all the Kevlar wearing and ruck carrying was starting to take its toll. I filed a claim in July of last year. I got letter after letter stating how busy they were. Then a letter saying I needed to provide more medical records and that if I didn't within 30 days they might make a decision on my claim. I called my local VSO and she resubmitted all the stuff we already submitted but the VA claimed they didn't have. Then I got a phone call to schedule an appointment at the clinic 3 hours away. I thought I better take it. It may be the only one I get! I just got a call last weekend to schedule my claim appointments. That guy told me the other appt was cancelled in the system and never should have been made. Do you think they called to tell me that? Nope. I was gonna drive to a clinic three hours away and miss a whole day of work for an appointment that didn't exist. I am thankful the other guy called and explained a lot to me. I was excited to hear I had appointments!
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