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

Has Rallypoint descended to the point that "anonymous" and clearly very controversial topics like this are allowed? Does Rallypoint really need to do this to drive traffic? My opinion of Rallypoint just dropped a notch, because I expected more.

No, you don't deserve the benefits that retirees earn. 7 months in Taji and more that 10 times outside the wire is a pretty good deployment. I would love to have that be the most I could complain about. I have been to Taji, it is an absolute resort compared to the places I have been. And more that 10 times outside the wire? Really, my last deployment I was outside the wire more than inside the wire. I would have 10 times in 5 days. You care to talk about grunts? Join the Infantry, then we can talk about your troubles. On second thought, no we can't.

That is a part of serving and serving the 20+! Don't know why this is a post?!

Sorry dude, membership (retired status) has its privileges.

There is a negative condescending tone to this post, and by the looks of it, you are putting yourself in the same category as someone that has served 20, 30 or 40 years. One thing I can tell you about RP is you better not piss off the retirees.
One correction I would add: Serving 5 or 10 years isn't the same as being a lifer.

I also realize you're only asking for PX privileges, seems benign to me, but it's all about your approach.

I served, I went to war, I have 18.5 years in the military, I have a short timer mentality, but I would never tell a retiree that my 18.5 years is equal to his or her 20 or more years of service. You made a major faux pas with this post, you insulted every retiree on RP...good luck getting anyone to agree with you.

I'm pretty sure AAFES (and the DoD) would love to have as many people shopping at AAFES (and the Navy/Marine Corps Exchanges) as possible. That money goes straight back into the DoD in the form of non-appropriated funds (read: MWR). The problem is political: when more people shop on base, fewer people go to WalMart, Target, etc. If fewer people shop off base, that's less sales tax the state and municipality can collect. So, your issue is with Congress, not really AAFES or the DoD. And, for my two cents, the only benefit I've gotten from AAFES is not having to pay sales tax on big-ticket items. I can get lower prices online. Chances are the person who says you don't "deserve" to shop at AAFES doesn't know what they're really talking about.

First off,LOL! Secondly, No. Comparing having done a 7 month tour and 5 years to being in even the same boat as a "grunt", or someone who committed 20+ years of their life to this Country is ludicrous. You left the wire easily 10 times? Well TYFYS. I spent over 34 months in Iraq as an infantryman, and pretty much lived outside the wire. You know what special treatment or recognition I want? None. I did the job I signed up to do, and would do it again in your heartbeat. There is nothing wrong with you being proud of your service, but please don't try to relate it willy nilly to something that is nowhere comparable.

Sorry, your 7 months in country and 5 years of active duty are nowhere near what retirees have done. Taji was a large FOB with all kinds of amenities. Maybe if you left the wire more than 10 times you would have realized that. I'm also sorry that you hurt your shoulder by wearing your gear, I guess I should feel lucky that I only got shot on patrol...

Let me start by saying this ... Those who are 100% service connected disabled (I'm one such veteran), are accorded most the same benefits as military retirees, because it interprets to equate to a medical retirement (except no Space A travel & no medical as that comes from the VA instead of Tricare).

I would gladly give up all the 'perks' of being 100% service connected disabled, if it meant I could regain all I have missed out on the past 15+ years. I'd happily work full time, trade my handicap placard, my exchange & commissary shopping, my MWR privileges, to be able to function 'normally' again, drive again, in short, regain my independence, & be a whole person for my family as I once was.

Benefits from any career are generally based on 'time served', including retirement options & retirement medical coverage options.

So, essentially those who stayed in until reaching a full retirement, gave the military their full commitment. If your injuries had garnered you a medical retirement, that would be a different story, but if someone chooses to leave & join the civilian community, then they also chose to decline having the services available by those still serving, and by those who committed a full 20 years or more for retirement (or were medically retired).

If you are 30% service connected disabled, you have access to the 'VA Canteen' at VA hospitals, and they offer (on a much smaller scale) items you might find available at an AAFES location, at comparable prices, and tax-free. They also have a catalog you can order from & arrange to either pick up on location or have delivered to your home (if you try ordering it from online however, you'll reach the roadblock of not being either retiree or still serving).

I appreciate your service, but you chose to leave at 5 years, so no, you haven't earned the same benefits as laid out for those who put in the miles, whether they deployed or not. Military Service was a contract from both parties, and choosing to stay or leave, changes the conditions of said contract. You chose not to extend your contract, therefore, the DOD no longer owes you any further benefits outside what you were given as part of your transition out. There's no sense of 'entitlement' to this, it's a simple equation.

In the future, perhaps for budget reasons, AAFES shopping options will be extended to veterans, but unless or until that day comes, or your s/c rating increases to 100%, that's the plain & simple truth. As someone else pointed out, Target, Walmart, & Kmart, as well as many online shopping options, offer many deals at prices that are likely as good, if not better, than what you can find via AAFES these days. Happy Shopping.

Wow, reading your ridiculous post makes me sick. Seven months ehhhh? That doesn't even make a dent into the years of time I have spent in Iraq and Afghanistan and all the missions I conducted as a Combat Advisor. Ten in seven months? Dude that was two weeks for us. All I want when I retire is the good memories I made with my brothers and their contact information so I can keep in touch with them. Stop whining and carry on! You want the benefit, friggin earn it.