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

Just because you put in some years does not give you right as those who did the whole 20 yrs. Not to take away what you did but it sounds like you did your job.

Perhaps you should've retired, then you could have the privilege of continuing to shop in AAFES had you not made the decision to cut short your career.

What about the thousands of soldiers from Vietnam? Are they too served in combat. there are a lot of veterans that served in combat that don't have those privileges. On another note you can go to your nearest VA Hospital and go to their canteen service where they sell items like they do in the PX. You get to buy them at lower prices also. The privilege is still there you just go somewhere else to get it

Does it really matter how long they were in. If they served honorably and fulfilled they're contract and have a DD214. They should have access to shop at any AAFES or PX. It's not like the PX or AAFES is out of things to sell.
So let him shop.

I'm not voting on this for a multitude of reasons.

1) There are definitely changes that need to be made to DeCA and AAFES, but more on that later.

2) to say that your seven months in country in the AF in ANY WAY compares to what us grunts did is, to quote my one of my favorite movies, "Inconceivable!" (Unless you were a TAC-P/PJ/CC, but due to your cowardly hiding, I doubt it.)

3) your premise is flawed. Here's why:

We all know that the system needs a reboot. That, in and of itself, is a known quantity. One of the ways I would like to see it changed is by what I think you wanted in the first place, but with a few revisions.

No, those of us who only served a handful of years do not currently rate to use the PX/BX/NEX and commissaries. Why? Because they are there for the SM's and their families and the retired. Now I am 90% VA rated. I live next to one of the largest (if not the largest--AF folks, let me know) Air Force installations in the country-Barksdale AFB. The Shreveport-Bossier metroplex boasts one of the highest veteran rates per capita per 100 miles anywhere in the country. The average rating around here 30-40%, if you excluded retirees and 100%. Those in the upper bracket (70-90%) are less than 15% of the rated veterans as a whole across the nation. Taking all this into consideration, my changes would be as thus: those already available to use the base facilities will continue with no interruptions. Those of us with the upper ratings, who are more than likely living off of completely or mostly their VA C&P will be allowed to use the BX/Commissaries twice a month. Those with the 30%-60% will only be allowed one day a month. If you are not considered a "specially disabled veteran", you do not get any base privileges. And this is all with the understanding that you live within a 100 mile radius of the base.

Now I know this will throw some people into a tizzy. Think about it this way. We hear all the time about AAFES and DeCA being out of money, we need more money, we can't stock properly, etc etc etc. If you allow these honorably served veterans these 3x a month to come onto base and allow them to use the shops, then (mind you, I haven't done the theoretical math) you will exponentially increase your revenue, if the program is run properly.

These are just my two cents. Feel free to debate.

You sound ridiculous. Comparing your deployment to what those who put in 3+ times longer is not a rational comparison. Trust me, you did not do what they did. You did the easiest part smart Alex!! As you got some rank your responsibilities would have quadrupled twice over...and it might be you, on your third or fourth deployment in charge of getting your soldiers home alive. My guess is you probably wouldn't make another rank anyway so you bailed. Sorry about your shoulder. At least you still have one.

I'm not going to go off on the original post. But I do believe people that have gotten out whether willingly or not should have some (though limited) access. Pretty much down to an Internet access to AAFES (and commissary if that ever does go online). With the army as a whole shrinking, the pool of possible consumers is shrinking with it. Let's not forget that the proceeds from profits from AAFES is supposed to go towards paying for things like MWR programs and whatever else it does cover. If a short timer can help cover costs of operations, why not let them?

I am pretty sure I have posted on this already, and I know it's probably kicking a dead horse but I just have to say this. I was playing patty cakes one day on active duty and I jammed my finger. Does this mean I get a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star and unlimited base privileges for the rest of my life. I didn't retire, but I feel that the above injury makes be equal to all who have deployed and actually were put in harms way and actually made it to retirement....right?

Simplest way to put it. If you had done enough to deserve it, you would've been medically retired at 6, and retained your privileges. The system gave your due.

Note: Your wording for reasons/excuses is, "Oh, so wrong for someone that wants to get their point a crossed to anyone in our military family, in my opinion." to be 100% honest with you. I feel you are also wrong with your statement about feeling DoD's discrimination against non-retirees not being able to use the AAFES, it was never (in black & white) in any type of contract was it?
I'm sure the contract you signed was the same type of contract customized to you, for the branch of severis you choose, at the time of your inliastment & or re-inlistment as the rest of us. Am I right? No hidded stuff about your race, religion, creed or anything else was hidden in there that prevented you from getting everything promised to you at that time.

Now believe it or not, I feel that anyone that left the military under Honorable Conditions should be able to use the AAFES stores once they prove they left the military under those condition's just for giving something like you have to there country. "Time". That's just my opinion.
With my opinion being mentioned, if you said you served 5 years active in the USAF, I can not find any reason that i would up it to 6 years or anyone else would as far as that goes? There is no known reason that I know of! Did you get out or was you put out for medical reasons, not allowing you to re-up?
Please, never say that you did as much as "most retirees" that did 20(+) years in your 5 active years in the USAF, you know you're wrong for that. But to add the statement, ("including retired gurnts") to me that just goes way to far. I'll try to take it that your shoulder was really hurting you and that was added under the influence of some really, really strong pain medication along with the others like;
"I did a 7-month tour in Iraq at FOB Taji,"
"Easliy left the wire more than 10 times"
"I hurt my shoulder due to wearing my kit a lot"
"I deserve AAFES access as much as any retiree."
The thing I can not believe after all this you added what I'll refer to as, "The Iceing On The Cake", statement on why you should have the right to shop at AAFES.
" I respect that retirees served a little bit longer, but I did 7 months in Iraq."

"I" would like to end this with a question and then the best thing I read on your statement area and Would only hope that yourself and others could understand why with no further inquiry.
(Q)
How did you make it in the USAF for 5 years with "I" being on your mind so much, was the 7 months you spent in Iraq by yourself or what?

The beast thing I read was typed in blue, it states, "Read Less" !!!!!!!!!!!