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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If you have a VA card, you can go the canteen and order through the AAFES catalog and have it shipped to your house. You can also go through VA Canteen website and order through AAFES too. You just got to do your homework and find out this information.
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It is an added benefit for retirees. if you have access with the VA you are more than welcome to use the http://www.vacanteen.va.gov/
Veterans Canteen Service - Internet
#1 Jefferson Barracks Rd Bldg 25 St. Louis, MO 63125 Phone: 314-845-1200 7:30am – 4:30pm CST Get Directions
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I surly am not in the position to tell you what you should or should not be entitled to, but as explained to me one has to be 50% or more to have the proper ID to shop or receive privileges on post as well as military discounts given to vets. Without this Uniform Services ID, I don't think they will allow it. Sorry, I hope I'm wrong!
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SFC Collin McMillion
Some Spc voted me do gor saying I was not in the position to say who could and could not be entitled to AAFES, wish I understood that!
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SSgt Troy Allen
The DEERS system keeps the status of just about every servicemember -- active, retired, veteran, etc. Instead of permission to shop at PX/BX, access can be granted to honorably discharged veterans to purchase merchandise on shopmyexchange.com.
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We both contributed to our country and id say that for this minor matter of "store access" we can be treated the same.
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PO1 Cleve Ikaika Waiwaiole
I meant this in the matter of "simple store access" terms. I do understand I do not compare to someone that has done 20-30 years. But... Is afees access really something "that" important to compare veterans vs. veteran retirees?
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Personally I don't think retirees need to have access to either AAFES or DECA facilities (and I am retired with 6 combat deployments under my belt and a Purple Heart). We are costing our nation too much money and have to do our part to make national security affordable. There are many competing requirements for government funding. Retirees are already getting a very good benefit in our retirement pay. PX and Commissaries in CONUS should be privatized and kept only for convenience of those living and working on post (and with same tax breaks since they are on federal property). PX and Commissaries OCONUS should be maintained for the use of Servicemembers and supporting civilians. Our grateful nation gives us more than we need. We need to stop being greedy.
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SSgt Troy Allen
TSgt (Join to see) said: "Additionally, the mere assertion of removing this privilege from retirees would have a far reaching monetary impact on AAFES, which relies solely on it's patrons for funding and struggles to find ways to stay in business. Remember AAFES, is not funded by the DOD, or NAF. it exists solely because of the money they make on sales."
I agree that the Col's "greedy" assertion was wrongheaded at best.
However, the reason you cite above is exactly why the privilege of purchasing from shopmyexchange.com (only) should be extended ro honorably discharged veterans. If servicemembers (both active and retired) want to keep AAFES around, an increase in the customer base is required to overcome the adverse effects of troop drawdowns.
You probably won't "...honestly find it laughable at best..." if YOU are one of many who lose the benefit because there aren't enough customers to keep AAFES stores open.
I agree that the Col's "greedy" assertion was wrongheaded at best.
However, the reason you cite above is exactly why the privilege of purchasing from shopmyexchange.com (only) should be extended ro honorably discharged veterans. If servicemembers (both active and retired) want to keep AAFES around, an increase in the customer base is required to overcome the adverse effects of troop drawdowns.
You probably won't "...honestly find it laughable at best..." if YOU are one of many who lose the benefit because there aren't enough customers to keep AAFES stores open.
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SSG Ray Strenkowski
TSgt (Join to see) - Generally comments are better received if research is done prior to posting them.
AAFES is indeed a NAF.
AAFES is indeed a NAF.
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TSgt (Join to see)
my ex wife used to work at the base NAF office when I was stationed at Elmendorf. The funding they raised was used by things such as MWR and Services; not AAFES. Now this was back in the 90's and things may have changed but at least then, AAFES was a separate organization that also makes donation to things such as NAF and MWR which my ex wife coordinated quite a bit of. Hard to think that an organization that was funded by NAF, would make donations to it... Just saying.
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SSgt Troy Allen
For clarity's sake:
"Nonappropriated Funds (NAF) - Monies derived from sources other than congressional appropriations and commissary surcharge funds, primarily from the sale of goods and services to DoD military and civilian personnel and their family members that are used to support or provide Morale, Welfare, and Recreation programs."
(Source: DoDD 4105.67)
AAFES is an agency that operates under DoD directives for NAF and generates NAF. AAFES civilian employees are paid, and receive benefits, under DoD directives for NAF.
"Nonappropriated Funds (NAF) - Monies derived from sources other than congressional appropriations and commissary surcharge funds, primarily from the sale of goods and services to DoD military and civilian personnel and their family members that are used to support or provide Morale, Welfare, and Recreation programs."
(Source: DoDD 4105.67)
AAFES is an agency that operates under DoD directives for NAF and generates NAF. AAFES civilian employees are paid, and receive benefits, under DoD directives for NAF.
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