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

Honestly is access to AAFEES really all that? You have your disability, Vocational Rehab, the Post 9/11 GI Bill and use of VA home loans. Use those resources and don't try to measure or compare your service to others. Some on this forum have sacrificed so much more than others. The bottom line is that you should be grateful you came back from Iraq alive with all your body parts.

Let me start with you lost me at "...wish to remain anonymous." If you have a complaint here, remember that you're amongst brothers and sisters. That means going anonymous is the worst way to try and get your point across.

Like CMSgt (Join to see) said, to say that you did as much as most retirees is like a person right out of college saying they did about as much in their field as a person with 20+ years of experience.

I had do sacrifice 20 years and several deployments in order to earn my right to shop at AFFES/The Navy Exchange. Not to demean your service, but 5 years really is a drop in the bucket. I had learned a lot about the military in general over my last 15 years of service.

Besides.... how are non-retirees going to get to AFFES/The Navy Exchange when they don't have base access?

It's like others have said.... you can get better deals at places like Wal-Mart or COSTCO.

Interesting question and it really brings out a lot from everyone posting. First off, Thank you for your service. 5 years of active service with 7 months in Iraq is a substantive achievement and I am glad you made it mostly back.

Can you come back in as a drilling reservist or air guardsman? That may be an option for you to regain your AAFES shopping privileges. If you've been following the news, the exchange systems and commissary program is being pushed to privatize or become competitive with off post stores, which means prices will be going up (my commissary just increased everything by 30% across the board). Quite possibly it won't be a benefit any longer.

Your comment regarding having done more than retired grunts is divisive. That is one of the few things I don't enjoy about Rally Point and some of veterans groups I am a part of in other social media. It turns into a crazy contest of one up-man-ship and everyone has done more than the other person. It denigrates the service and sacrifices of others who don't meet some preconceived standard of "acceptable" service.

I am indifferent with the issue of who gets to use the exchange. I would rather see everyone get spun up on the issues of forcing TRICARE beneficiaries onto the open healthcare exchanges, the newly announced thrashing of the current pension system, the probable gutting of all branches to push funding for programs in other countries, and a host of other issues which will affect future troops (but also the future of how our nation is protected).

CMSgt (Join to see) said it about as well as I could have.

The numbers just don't compare.

6 years are not equal to 20 years. Another comparison that cannot be made is the hardships endured during those 20+ years.

I have a Chief in my squadron right now that out of his 20 something years in service has been deployed for 8 years out of those 20 something. I myself (with more than 8 years currently in) have been gone for much more than 7 months! Give me a break! It is impossible to "put in [your] time as much as anyone" when your 5 or 6 years in service is only approximately 1/4 the time as other people at 20. And as to your (30%)...I have crap wrong with my back, shoulders, and the rest of my body that from rucking...kits...rollovers...etc that would put your poor wittle shoulders to shame.....don't hear me complaining! You look at anyone in an ASOS and tell me you deserve your access more than them...especially the one that actually puts their time in!

And to add again here and I know it will sound mean or rude, but why are you wanting to stay Anonymous? Its not like anyone here is going to go to your house and laugh in your face. Its actually kind of childish to remain anonymous because every person I have seen on RP is an adult and while they may make some sarcastic remarks its nothing personal.
Time to grow up and use your real name.

First of all, I have to give you credit for asking that question. The answer should have been obvious to you prior to putting it on the Internet.

Since you put on the air for all to see.

I have something to say, thank you for your service.

From someone who did what you and every other person who served did, just for 32+ years, "Do the time, get the access." Under your premise, you should get a pension, based on your time served. Sounds as if the VA has addressed your service related injuries. Many don't even get that far in a convoluted system. Thanks for your service.

Half right face, shitbag! Are you kidding me?! I mean seriously??? You left the FOB at least ten times? You got hurt from wearing kit? Either you're a brilliant troll, or an abysmal asshole. You compared yourself to people who've lost a lot more than shoulder mobility, by saying you've put in as much. The only thing you deserve is a paddling, you aren't deserving of a beating.

IMHO Retirees have earned all of their benefits. That being said, as a retiree I think that Honorably discharged vets should be issued a "Veteran ID Card" and given LIMITED AAFES privileges such as movies and PX/BX.