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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I would be alright with allowing all honorably discharged veterans to have access to the Exchange. But I do not see any equivalent between the original poster and a retired service member. It doesn't even come close.
Retirees would still get medical and Commissary benefits that normal veterans would not be eligible for.
Retirees would still get medical and Commissary benefits that normal veterans would not be eligible for.
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Totally agree with the SMSgt from McDill, FL, my Dad was a Chief Boatsonmate, 20 years, I have a total 22 years, Navy & Air Force, if Dad were still alive, this question would crack him up!
Active duty and those men and women who served for at least 20 years only, open the Exchange's to "anybody" that's served, and the place will look like Wal-Mart on a Saturday afternoon. Not that I don't give all the respect in the world to anybody that's put on a uniform, and served their country, God Bless them all, but you have to draw the line some where.
Besides, check out your local Wally world, you'll find the prices, about the same or even better, the Exchange just isn't what it used to be.
Active duty and those men and women who served for at least 20 years only, open the Exchange's to "anybody" that's served, and the place will look like Wal-Mart on a Saturday afternoon. Not that I don't give all the respect in the world to anybody that's put on a uniform, and served their country, God Bless them all, but you have to draw the line some where.
Besides, check out your local Wally world, you'll find the prices, about the same or even better, the Exchange just isn't what it used to be.
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To be honest, I don't know why you care! I've been out 13 years, the Exchange at the local AFB is 10 miles away, and we never go out there! A better question is: why in the hell do we have AAFES anyway! Wal-Mart could and would do the same, better, and cheaper if we gave them the same requirement that they had to sell tax free.
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There is no "deserve" or "don't deserve." There is only "entitled under current regulations" or not.
Kind of a silly question.
Kind of a silly question.
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Dude are you trying to buy a Sony Walkman; join the reserves and serve and earn it buddy. By the way welcome to RP.
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The argument that AAFES could use the money for MWR is a bit of a lie. MWR is generally staffed by folks who were in the military who don't understand how to actually run a business and bleed money through inefficient organization.
AAFES/MWR now gets unit funds!
Yes, AAFES/MWR now gets unit funds. The WOW program requires unit supplies to order through AAFES' catalog. The WOW orientation information openly talks about how when units use the system it contributes to their MWR donation.
Based on the fact that every unit's supply office should be transitioning to the WOW system, I don't think AAFES will need the money from retirees. I do think that MWR will manage to bleed whatever income they do have regardless of how much it is and nothing will change.
AAFES/MWR now gets unit funds!
Yes, AAFES/MWR now gets unit funds. The WOW program requires unit supplies to order through AAFES' catalog. The WOW orientation information openly talks about how when units use the system it contributes to their MWR donation.
Based on the fact that every unit's supply office should be transitioning to the WOW system, I don't think AAFES will need the money from retirees. I do think that MWR will manage to bleed whatever income they do have regardless of how much it is and nothing will change.
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SGM (Join to see)
CPT Roecker, I don't know anything about WOW, but have a keen understanding of MWR funding. Have met a mixed bag of AAFES/MWR workers during my life as an Army brat and during my military career, but the current crop is different and may be as you state. It used to be that stateside AAFES/MWR largely subsidized overseas with the exception of gambling/booze sales under NAF. That base stateside and overseas, along with separate clubs is vastly different too. Units never directly got huge sums of money--MWR programs for sports, recreation, and dependent/family youth activities did. That pool too, is smaller.
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No, you should not get full access. When you signed up for the military, you knew you'd need to do 20 years in order to receive full access to the benefits authorized to military retirees. The simple fact is... you didn't serve 20 years, so you didn't earn the benefit of using AAFES facilities.
What you are asking for is nothing different than expecting a teacher to give you an "A" grade for only doing 1/2 of the work that the rest of the people receiving an "A" grade did.
I truly appreciate the time you served and thank you for your service, but rules are rules, and nobody should expect them to be changed after the fact. You received exactly what you earned and should stand proudly to be called a Vet.
What you are asking for is nothing different than expecting a teacher to give you an "A" grade for only doing 1/2 of the work that the rest of the people receiving an "A" grade did.
I truly appreciate the time you served and thank you for your service, but rules are rules, and nobody should expect them to be changed after the fact. You received exactly what you earned and should stand proudly to be called a Vet.
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SGM (Join to see)
Maj Timm, I would normally agree if it weren't for the fact that I rarely go to the PX or Commissary since WalMart and Costco, Home Depot, Lowes have better deals for me and some offer a Vet discount. On the other hand there are fewer soldiers, fewer families, fewer retirees shopping on post and MWR funds are needed. Supply and demand.
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Maj Tagg Timm
Good points Dan, however, facts are facts, and this guy was never promised privileges if he served less than 20 years. He has no valid complaint.
I, like you, find much better deals off base/post, so I do about 99.5% of my shopping on the economy. About the only time I go to the Commissary is when they have their Case Lot Sales. Otherwise, I support my local community. Besides, it's tiring fighting to get to the produce!
I, like you, find much better deals off base/post, so I do about 99.5% of my shopping on the economy. About the only time I go to the Commissary is when they have their Case Lot Sales. Otherwise, I support my local community. Besides, it's tiring fighting to get to the produce!
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