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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I can't believe you had the audacity to flaunt your service in a forum of those who serve.
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I don't know what kind of impact it would have allowing non-retirees to shop at Exchanges or Commissaries. I think as long as there isn't a negative impact on the stores, I think it should be just fine. Seriously, I don't know the business side of this. Maybe they have to limit access to service members, retirees, and dependents for reasons other than just mere privilege. The limited access to continued healthcare and pay is a lot more obvious. The bottom line is I believe they should allow it as long as it doesn't cause any problems for the people who have earned it through retirement.
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I came here hoping to say yes. But yo lost me with your comparisons and your mention of your deployment. See most of us deployed several times and to compare your self to a grunt unless you were in one of the beret career fields it's unlikely . I appreciate anyone's service and the blank check they signed for uncle sam. Here's my take. If you served in the military and discharged honorably you should have AAFES and access to lodging. I think we should always take care of our own. I think retiree should get their pay and tricare for life in addition to everything else.
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Alright, buddy. I've done my time deployed, 6 tours of 8+ months. As an AF member, retirees earned their right by doing their time, and I mean full time. If we gave base access to all non retirees, the base would be flooded and take away the tax free privalige that the retirees earned and the service member with a valid ID card is earning. First off, thanks for serving, I'm sure it would have been great to meet and work with you. Second, because you got out before your retirement, you also gave up the all the benefits, that someone earns, you would get at the 20+ mark.
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Either you did 5 yrs or 6yrs. Why don't you know? You had a 7month deployment? Where was I when they were handing those out! No you don't deserve AAFES benefits!! And you have done as much as any grunt or retiree. No you have not. You have lost your mind with your post. Please don't post anymore foolish things, and I'm not anonymous.
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Personally I feel you strayed way off course when saying the retirees did a bit more time than you. I did just over 13 years. I will not stick my Army or VA ratings on here, suffice it to say they are, to use your term a bit higher than yours. I did not make what is seen as the cutoff to have recieved a medical retirement. Guess what, I did not do my 20 or much more, which is often the case and therefore do not deserve the privilages that go with that. Neither of us deserve the privilages that go with having done a hell of a lot more than either of us did... Next question.
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No you don't deserve to shop there. And why would you? There are very few things that you would save money on. I don't understand why you feel you deserve to shop on post, you got out didn't retire move on
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According to your "Logic" here some us deserve a private airplane, a Ferrari, a Villa on the beach and perhaps a boat.
If you want the benefits you should have stayed longer to get them. End of story so stop crying about it
If you want the benefits you should have stayed longer to get them. End of story so stop crying about it
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Shopping at the exchange is a privilege, not a right. That privilege is reserved for those on Active Duty and those who are Retired. As veteran who did not retire, I have no problem with this. Besides, the nearest base is some 50+ miles from me. I'd spend 10x more in gas, than I would save at the store.
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I don't think equating service length and deployment service with Exchange access helps your argument.
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