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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For those that want to keep crying about not using EXCHANGES because you got out prior to doing 20 years go to your local CVS,Walmart,Walgreen's our where ever it is you can buy some KY jelly our what ever it is you want to buy and start using and keep telling yourself how dum it is for you to be crying over something you do not deserve our just get a couple of big bucket's and keep crying in them until you have cried a river.
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Rules are rules. I'm not gonna sugar coat it. You A. Didn't retire from the military and two. Well that's it. I did two 7 month tours have been serving for almost 6 years. I know if I don't retire from the Navy I too won't get NEX privileges. Best of luck. A remember we are not entitled to anything we didn't earn.
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SGT Lyndell Jay Parks
what happens if you get injured and can't continue to serve, after say 15 years, then what, tough shit sorry for your luck, ...... personally for me, I am 83 miles from the nearest base, and can do better at Sams Club, but I don't give 2 shits about the "benefits" but some may..... I just want the rating for my back injury, that is the most important thing for me.....
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MSgt Marty Hogan
I have a mixed Opinion about this, I don't go to the Commissary of BX/PX/NEX. 118mi to Pope/Bragg, 133mi to Fort Jackson, or 189mi to Seymour Johnson... any moneys I would save would be lost in gas and wear/tear on my vehicles. What would be nice is that if the other "big-box" retail stores would get on-board with Lowe's & Home Depot and give Veterans the 10% discount. This basically covers the sales tax.
But to the question at hand, as much as they are cutting our retiree benefits, this is one benefit that should be limited to those who have completed the mission and retired. I know some that the Mil retirement is their only source of income and they cannot afford to shop anywhere else.
But to the question at hand, as much as they are cutting our retiree benefits, this is one benefit that should be limited to those who have completed the mission and retired. I know some that the Mil retirement is their only source of income and they cannot afford to shop anywhere else.
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I have probably served longer than most on this site, August will be 35 years. 8 of these years are AD and the remainder Reserve and Guard. This is a relatively straight forward question. Those that serve until retirement (in this case we shall say 20 years) have had 2 decades during which they were willing to deploy in defence of our nation, whether they did or didn't is really irrelevant, they were available and ready to go.
Then if you want to argue, I deployed and went outside the wire. So, what if a SM deploys for a year and sits on the same FOB as you, never "sees action," is their combat deployment less because they weren't in direct danger? If a SM deploys, only serves 6 years and "goes outside the wire" his/her service meets a different standard than one who does not and therefore is deserving of retired benefits? No. The guidelines exist to reward and incentivise service.
Then if you want to argue, I deployed and went outside the wire. So, what if a SM deploys for a year and sits on the same FOB as you, never "sees action," is their combat deployment less because they weren't in direct danger? If a SM deploys, only serves 6 years and "goes outside the wire" his/her service meets a different standard than one who does not and therefore is deserving of retired benefits? No. The guidelines exist to reward and incentivise service.
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SPC Mark Beard
yes I be leave they do for the retirees served there 30 and Deserve all they get and more
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SGT Lyndell Jay Parks
what happens if you get injured and can't continue to serve, after say 15 years, then what, tough shit sorry for your luck, ...... personally for me, I am 83 miles from the nearest base, and can do better at Sams Club, but I don't give 2 shits about the "benefits" but some may..... I just want the rating for my back injury, that is the most important thing for me.....
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I am in a similar position. I was 4 years active duty in the army. 10 month deployment in Iraq and a full year in Afghanistan. During those deployments I was on patrol full gear for more than 95% of that time. I do not know your age while you were deployed but I have yet to feel the adverse effects of that. All I can say is take a knee and drink water. As far as AAFES goes while continued access to their services would be nice I in no way feel they should have any obligation to continue to serve us. As we served our time so they served us during that time. It is what it is.
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So if we look at this from a economic perspective, rather than a phallus measuring contest, allowing non-retirees to spend their money in government funded retail(when they themselves are not receiving government funding) might actually be a good idea in the long run. Idk are there any other people who studied economics who want to chime in?
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CSM Carlson C.
Okay, now that I stopped laughing at your slight jab...
I can understand why an individual would be disappointed about loosing certain benefits after leaving the services. However, when I left active duty, I didn't want to lose benefits, so i joined the Reserves. now, I'm at 18 years combined service. and still have access. For some, that may not have been a realistic choice to make, but it is something that is told to service members when they choose to leave the service. It would be nice if all Vets were able to use the AAFES facilities, but that would require a change in funding and rules. I like the idea but then again, there are certain privileges that are reserved for those that make the Military a life long career and to those who gave there lives and limbs in service. I can see both sides of the argument.
I can understand why an individual would be disappointed about loosing certain benefits after leaving the services. However, when I left active duty, I didn't want to lose benefits, so i joined the Reserves. now, I'm at 18 years combined service. and still have access. For some, that may not have been a realistic choice to make, but it is something that is told to service members when they choose to leave the service. It would be nice if all Vets were able to use the AAFES facilities, but that would require a change in funding and rules. I like the idea but then again, there are certain privileges that are reserved for those that make the Military a life long career and to those who gave there lives and limbs in service. I can see both sides of the argument.
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I will keep it short and sweet, that is how I roll.
It is not any different than anything else, people bitching about being told they cannot do something when they didn't use it when they had free access. That is exactly why the Commissary is on the verge of closure NON USE by members, the BX/PX system is pretty much safe since it is a for profit private business. Do I think everyone should have access, no, that is one of the benefits extended service awards you.
I spent the majority of 26 years away on NON voluntary TDYs, be it for war service or not, a 1 year deployment does not net you a lifetime of benefits. That comes with 100% or retirement either of which is equal to a lifetime of service, I have both.
It is not any different than anything else, people bitching about being told they cannot do something when they didn't use it when they had free access. That is exactly why the Commissary is on the verge of closure NON USE by members, the BX/PX system is pretty much safe since it is a for profit private business. Do I think everyone should have access, no, that is one of the benefits extended service awards you.
I spent the majority of 26 years away on NON voluntary TDYs, be it for war service or not, a 1 year deployment does not net you a lifetime of benefits. That comes with 100% or retirement either of which is equal to a lifetime of service, I have both.
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Glad you got out after 6. With an attitude like this your leadrership, or lack thereof, would have created a toxic environment. Apparently you never learned the true meaning of being a member of the Profession of Arms.
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Sir, thank you for your service but honestly after reading this post, I think my brain just skipped... To even think you have done as much as a retiree is crazy. I was in Taji during the serge and left the wire almost everyday but never for a second would I ever put my self in the same realm as a 20+ year vet! The thought just makes my head hurt.
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Well, I can see clearly now why this individual wished to remain anonymous. He was asking for feedback on his views, and boy did he ever get it. ;-)
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