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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It'll probably help AAFES and the Commissaries if veterans were allowed to shop there as well. More customers means more money coming into their stores.
I know there have been several proposals to at least open up AAFES online to veterans with a valid DD214 with an honorable discharge.
I know there have been several proposals to at least open up AAFES online to veterans with a valid DD214 with an honorable discharge.
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SFC (Join to see)
That is true, but question posed by Mr anonymous, was do retirees "deserve" access. Short answer is yes.
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I don't know who you are, but I do believe that you and anyone with prior service should at least get that as well as an Military Identification card veteran. But many would disagree by saying you got to put in the time in service,or be 100% to get this.Who are us to be telling each other which one of us deserve benefits while the people who write these policies never served a day. AAFES is discount is just pennies compare to the billions that are being given away to other countries.
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I'm not impressed by the prices in my local exchange... I just shop sales at any department store... Just as good
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If you wanted to continue using the benefits of Military service, you probably should have stayed in uniform. Retirees absolutely deserve it as they have given a lifetime of service to our country while in uniform.
Keep in mind, if you desire to use the benefits, I am sure there is a Reserve/Guard recruiter in your area who needs former servicemembers like yourself.
Keep in mind, if you desire to use the benefits, I am sure there is a Reserve/Guard recruiter in your area who needs former servicemembers like yourself.
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So much to say.... so much already said. My input is going to be simple.
In answer to the question: Do Retirees Really “Deserve” Access to AAFES Stores More Than Non-Retirees?
YES. They do.
In answer to the question: Do Retirees Really “Deserve” Access to AAFES Stores More Than Non-Retirees?
YES. They do.
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I would be open to it because there is power in numbers, it could drive costs down and pump more money in to the MWR. My largest concern is security on the installations. There's a lot of bugs to work out. For example what is the cut off line? You did two years, you get life long access? Service disability rating drives the train? You went to war, here's a prize? Seems as though it could be a viable solution in times of need like budget crunches. Who knows, it might be crazy enough to work.
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MSgt Steve Miller
AFFES / PX / MWR ect.....cannot drop their prices lower than 8 percent of the local economy. Its a federal law, and was passed to assure local business does not take it in the shorts. Therefore, an increase in customers will never drive the price down. The idea that it wold kind of goes against the grain of supply and demand anyway. The more a product is in demand the harder an industry has to work to produce it, and that would normally drive the price up!
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1SG Joe Messier
Steve, don't be so concrete about this, the author is fantasizing. If the Secretary of State can delete 30,000 emails from her civilian account after not getting a government email account in the first place I'm sure we can manage something.
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"A" as in one, 7 month tour? 10 times outside the wire in that 7 months? give me a break!! There are so many things wrong with what you just said on so many levels!! Its not that AAFES shopping is all that great but those who do the time to earn the entitlements, I believe that was the agreement when you raise your hand. My Uncle said give me 20 and I will give you xyz benefits..... Give 5 years and here is your slap on the back have goodun. BTW exactly what was your chapter for? Oh yeah your gear hurt your shoulder. And to say that your LITTLE BIT of service is equal to Combat Arms Soldier with 20 plus years and 8-10 full tour deployments in country, you do deserve a trip to the VA for a TBI check! Oh and my uncle says he is sorry he the equipment he gave you was sooo heavy it hurt you...what a joke!!
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SFC Mark Bailey
LMAO, maybe if he didn't put so much water in his canteen, and stashed smaller pogey-bait in his pockets.... it would have been better.
This is the kind of guy that falls out in the first 100 meters of a 5-mile run
This is the kind of guy that falls out in the first 100 meters of a 5-mile run
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SFC Douglas Duckett
Msg Goldston that "kit" looks like it hurts a lot. Go to the PX and by some Motrin.
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In civilian corporate life you get retirement benefits only if you stay 20 or thirty years with the company whether you worked your ass off or just sat on it. If you get hurt on the job you get disability benefits depending on severity of disability. DOD follows suit. You miss the BX,PX
Join the reserves takes 20 good years minus time served, points matter.
Join the reserves takes 20 good years minus time served, points matter.
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How many months did a veteran with 20+ years put into deployments in the last 13 years since 911? With 20+ years of service, and sacrifice should come some benefits at a level comensurate with their service. Maybe we should go with, you get as many years of AFFES access equal to the number of years you served. So those like my self, retiring in a few years at 27 years of service, get 27 years of AFFES shopping. Welcome your comments.
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