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

I think if you served in combat for this nation, the nation should offer you every opportunity to succeed. Including but not limited to:

1) priority over college graduates at the opportunity to learn hands on, new careers.

2) unlimited college funding supported by passing grades.

3) employers requiring experience should be required to give "full pay" OJT for veterans.

4) discounts at every business nationwide.

Including AAFES...

And much more...

We gave all to our nation... Can't they give all to us?

Well, and then the Anonymous Airman opened his/her mouth. AAFES isn't doing most veterans or SMs any favors on price. The Commisary is better, but I still would shop at Walmart, HEB, Target, etc. with a couple of small exceptions. I will say that I believe there should be an automatic retirement for some Veterans that gave up their quality of life, instead of their life entirely. I will admit I happen to be a bit biased on that issue since I'm 90% disabled. VA math does a number on those percentages though. I know a veteran that was diagnosed with Asthma and Diabetes in the Air Force who receives 40% disability compensation for his "injuries", but he still smokes two packs a day and goes through a 2 liter bottle of full-sugar Dr. Pepper. He is clearly malingering, but it's in the records so they pay him. However, I cannot function without narcotic pain medications multiple times daily as a result of shrapnel, multiple back injuries, nerve damage and removal of all the nerves In my right leg. 7 months combat time, in a tent with an air conditioner... I spent 7 months without taking a real shower or having food that wasn't an MRE in Iraq in 2003. And that wasn't at Taji. It was the invasion and initial combat actions in the theatre. Ordinarily, I would never compare my service time and actions against another veteran, but where does someone, anyone, get the right to belittle the retired grunts. Those under appreciated soldiers have destroyed their bodies, intentionally, to accomplish the mission. Even those lucky enough to never catch an IED or ROG gave up their backs, their knees, and their ability to sleep restfully at night. Some of those men and women have brown shirts with more combat time than the entire time you spent on Active Duty. Everyone has their own mission, their own duty, and their own hardships; however, if you want to compare scars sometime, I'm not bashful. I know that wearing full-battle-rattle can take its toll. I wore it everyday I served in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Iraq. That doesn't even include the real-world missions I served on. There is no such thing as an easy combat tour, for anyone, but I find it irreconcilably stupid for you to compare wearing gear for 7 months to a retiree tgat no longer has cartilage in their knees and can barely move their ankles from spending twenty years on jump status. If you thought wearing your gear was tough, try jumping in all of that plus everything you need to survive and accomplish your mission for up to two weeks. I didn't do twenty. I didn't have much choice though. I couldn't promote because of a permanent profile, and I couldn't come off the profile because of debilitating pain. If you are capable enough to be able to earn a living, and if you are intelligent enough, and have the ability, to complain, you are truly blessed. Some of our brothers and sisters lost their lives. Still others suffered TBI to the extent that they will never be able to tell their children that they love them, much less communicate well enough to gain employment. I accept my disabilities. I accept my limitations. I accept what benefits I am entitled to, but I do not demand benefits that I cannot have reasonably earned. I am sure that one day my disabilities will become severe enough to reach 100%, and it will since the conditions in my back are degenerative. One day I will be forced back into a scooter or wheelchair. On that day, I will request my retired ID card, and I'll probably grab a haircut in base while I'm there. Until that day, I will thank God, my personal one, that I have the wonderful career I have. I will thank him for an extremely supportive wife, and I will thank him for giving me my two amazing children. I could have lost all of those possibilities in my service, but I did not. That is a blessing. I will not be thanking him for my PX benefits. Of that, I am very sure. [steps off of soap box] Sorry for the rant. You are still my fellow brother/sister. I just hope you find what is truly important so that you may stop trying to make yourself feel better about your service. It is not a competition, and nobody likes to be belittled because of their service. The head cockroach killer serves just as important a roll in the military as the grunt out front, but they don't appreciate when people compare exposure to roach traps with being on-mission constantly under the threat of death and the guarantee of violence. However, if those bugs get in the grunts food he can't fight the enemy while he's busy fighting dysentery. We appreciate your service. It provided a needed mission and service. So let's not compare and contrast. Everyone suffers their own unique experiences. Let's allow them to be unique. Otherwise people, like myself, get their feelings hurt a bit.

I whole heartedly agree that retirees deserve all the benefits they can get. They stayed in and served gave their all

If you want the benefits, please stay and earn them. I see your 7 months in Taji and raise you to 43 months in Taji, 6 months in Turkey and Northern Iraq, 25 months in Bosnia, 4 months in Afghanistan, a short tour to central and south America. 28 years total.
Thank you for your service, we all truly appreciate your being part of the team but please don't ask for more than you've earned.

Fortunately I get priveledges because I have a rating of 100%

If you are 30% disabled as you say then you would have been a medical reteriee and been entitled to all the retirement benefits. I would know I am one.

I disagree with your premise whole-heartedly. This isn't a pissing contest. I do agree on completely seperate grounds about the issue of access. Even if it is limited to say so many times a year. Your presentation leaves much to be desired and your attitude needs a severe adjustment.

Yes retirees deserve it more.

22 years! I as well as every retiree earned it!

once a Soldier always a Soldier. So yes, you are a veteran! but seriously, why do you want to shop at AAFES? last place I would go to buy anything, lol...