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

I am still active, served 17 yrs, 5 deployments, outside the "wire" almost all my deployments.
You think you rate the same as me?!
I applaud your service, but be careful on what you are trying to compare.
You sound ignorant and obliviously to the whole benefits and entitlements thing!

I literally thought this was a joke. AAFES privileges be damned, if you think your five years of service and seven months in Iraq somehow put you on par with men and women who have given their entire entire adult lives to their country and, in some cases, multiple appendages, you need to reevaluate yourself.

Her is my nickels worth. I understand what you're saying but you have to remember that Commissary & PX privileges are afforded to those who stayed and finished their 20 year commitment. You served 7 months in a combat zone where a lot of Soldier, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines served 12 to 15 months and some longer. That's just like saying that I should get a Batchelor degree for completing 100 college credits instead of the required SH required for the same degree. You knew and I am sure that everyone that joins the Military knows that you have to do twenty years to retain or keep those priviledges. They also tell you that if you do not complete them you are authorized to use the VA as long as you had a service connected disability, and if you got severance pay you would have to pay back a portion of that to be able to use your VA benefits. I will bet my nickel that you knew what you were entitled before you left. That is just my nickels worth.

i got medical retirement thanks to some POS a**hole in a trunk with a sks. so i have aafes benefits for what? because i got hit? what about my brothers that pulled me out of the street and saved my life? Its a freaking store let them have it they served. and in case any of you don't know if you don't have an active duty CAC you cant buy issued items at clothing and sales. as i found out trying to replace my wooby after years of abuse.

I too spent time on taji in 06. what a s*it hole that place was. the pool was nice though. lol

Anyone using the term "left the wire" doesn't deserve to go to AAFES! ANYONE!

At one time guard and reservist had limited access to px and commissary priveledges. They can do the same

@ anonymous, I'm glad you did your 5 Yrs of service, and deployed one time for 7 months. That is commendable.
So you are saying that you deserve the same benefits as me? I did 28 Years, had numerous deployments, and have over 30 months of combat experience, most of which was outside the wire. I was Medically Retired, 14 years prior to when I planned to retire. Because you got hurt from wearing your kit makes you special I guess. You can still serve with a 30% rating. Do your other 15 years like the recruiter told you that you would need to retire to get the so called "benefits" of AAFES.

Personally I've found stuff to be of better quality and less expensive at WalMart. My last carton of cigarettes I bought at the PX the receipt said I saved $12.00 on my purchase (I paid $4.00 more than what I pay at Redners WITH paying tax). Alcohol is $5- 10 WITH paying TAX less expensive at the state store 2 blocks away from my house.

Too bad you're only complaining about AAFES. Are there any other benefits that you want to be entitled to?

After having looked at some of the posts and thinking more about the issue--I wonder where do you draw the line? You have to draw it somewhere. Similar discussion can be made with the space A hops. I know 100% disabled has been fighting to get that privilege. I believe they can now use the exchange. Also I also heard that the on-line ordering is opening up to honorable discharged veterans. Another issue is that they are discussing reduced retirements for less than 20 year veterans. I wonder how that would impact on exchange, commissary, TRICARE and space A. I haven't heard the details on that part of the proposal. That can open a can of worms especially for Space A and TRICARE. Some people have also commented on 20 years vs 4 or 5 years. I served 28 years in the reserves (3 on active duty) and get PX commissary space A right away, and TRICARE at 60. Counting drills and extra AT/ADT/ADSW I would say i have equivalent of 7 years active. (no combat experience) Yet veterans with 10 years service combat or not get nothing unless medically retired. (although would be entitled to various VA benefits) So whats fair. I honestly don't know. It is hard to draw the line! The one argument than can be said for reserve retirement benefits is being "on-call" for 20 or more years. As DOD considers retirement reforms there will have to make a lot of sticky decisions on the details.

I think non-retiree veterans should be able to access the of you have service connected disabilities that you are claiming through the VA that is if you are rated at X% of disabled than sure come on in. If not, then there has to be something for the retirees. Walmart and Target are wicked nice though and most people, SM and VETS use them anyway.

There should still be a few perks to serving a full 20 year hitch (27 years myself). If a person with less years who served in a designated combat area and was wounded/injured in support of combat operations or injured in the line of duty with a valid line of duty investigation report with a rating of 30% or higher should be considered "retired" form active duty with your monthly retirement pay. With this, then PX/ Commissary privileges should be authorized just like any other retiree. If they did not get a "retired" status then they should re-apply. I have a good friend who 30% and he is listed as retired and gets a small check each month with full PX/Commissary benefits.