Posted on Apr 2, 2015
Do Retirees Really “Deserve” Access to AAFES Stores More Than Non-Retirees?
356K
5.46K
1.25K
64
-44
108
* 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
0
0
0
Everything about your initial post was worded badly. Including the initial question.
While I don't care about access to AAFES there is a much better question.
Should non-retirees be allowed access to AAFFES?
And you can make the case that spouses and family members are, so people who have honorably served should be allowed to shop there as well.
There is no need to compare your service to others.
If we allow non retiree's where is your line? If someone does two years Active duty or 6 years Reserves, never deploys, but is discharged honorably, are they allowed? Or were you thinking only people who have been deployed?
I personally wouldn't care if anyone who gets out honorably can use their services.
While I don't care about access to AAFES there is a much better question.
Should non-retirees be allowed access to AAFFES?
And you can make the case that spouses and family members are, so people who have honorably served should be allowed to shop there as well.
There is no need to compare your service to others.
If we allow non retiree's where is your line? If someone does two years Active duty or 6 years Reserves, never deploys, but is discharged honorably, are they allowed? Or were you thinking only people who have been deployed?
I personally wouldn't care if anyone who gets out honorably can use their services.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I did my 6.5 years in peacetime, and agree with all who said no. I will go further and say for myself, I don't feel qualified for medical benefits. I would feel quilty for taking the doctors time away from someone who really needed it. If you left on your own like I did, you forgo all the benefits.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
"I respect that retirees served a little bit longer, but I did 7 months in Iraq."
A little bit longer? Try 24 years.
A little bit longer? Try 24 years.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Can the Turnaround Artist Who Fixed Barneys Save the Army PX?
Tom Shull says the answer is expanding into online retailing, even as the Pentagon tries to downsize
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
If your medically retired and forced out because of it then yes.... I would feel as though most would have made 20 of their body could have kept up
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Well I don't know if I rate to weigh in on this only having served 21 years as a U.S. Marine I won't bore you all with I have more deploy time than most. If you add up my deploy time, combat and schools it was well over Six years. And being 80% disabled on top of it all. I like and agree with the SMSgt's and Col's perspective. I respect your time served and salute you for being a Veteran, but don't try to compair your time to a Retirees you will not like the answer that you get.
R/S
CWO3 SKI USMC (RET) Semper Fi
R/S
CWO3 SKI USMC (RET) Semper Fi
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
You lost me at "I did as much as most retirees, including grunts", and as a 5 yr zoomie who got disability for just wearing a rucksack for 7 months.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
If you were let out for being disabled due to an injury incurred in the line of duty, I can see being allowed to use the AAFES facilities, but otherwise, no. I got out at a tad under 13 years and I knew I would lose all privileges and am not worried about it. I would love to shop on base but I made my choice to get out.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
They should! if they did time, why not? There are plenty of people that don't know how much we sacrifice when we enlist. Now as long they got out with an honorable discharge, I see no problem.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I believe you are wrong. I have a disability rating of 60% and although i do have those privileges because i am currently in the IRR, but once my contract is up i do not believe i need those privileges.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google