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 understand your frustration, however I would have to say no, the policy is good as is. I don't think AAFES could handle the logistical nightmare of trying to meet the needs of nearly 40 million veterans having access to their stores.
With that said, in many VAMC's across the country there are Veterans Canteen Service stores (VCS), with an eCommerce site coming soon. This is open to all veterans with a valid veteran identification card and they provide almost all of the same benefits as AAFES (including tax free products). The only thing you won't find at your local VCS that was usually cheaper at AAFES is cigarettes and liquor.
http://www.vacanteen.va.gov/
With that said, in many VAMC's across the country there are Veterans Canteen Service stores (VCS), with an eCommerce site coming soon. This is open to all veterans with a valid veteran identification card and they provide almost all of the same benefits as AAFES (including tax free products). The only thing you won't find at your local VCS that was usually cheaper at AAFES is cigarettes and liquor.
http://www.vacanteen.va.gov/
Veterans Canteen Service - Internet
#1 Jefferson Barracks Rd Bldg 25 St. Louis, MO 63125 Phone: 314-845-1200 7:30am – 4:30pm CST Get Directions
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This is a very insulting post, I keep seeing it pop up and I feel like it needs to go away. Some people are so entitled. I don't have anything against the person who brought this up, but on the same front we need to have respect for what people have done and lost for this country and to say you did more when you truly have no idea is very ignorant. Please go easy on the down votes....
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My personal opinion is if your still on DOD payroll and get 10% or more you should full access.
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SFC William Farrell
DOD payroll as in the military, yes. But if on DOD payroll and working for the Navy, no!
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You made the decision to get out -you lose that benefit of being able to shop at the Exchange and the Commissary.
Retirees EARNED the right to and privledge to be able to shop on base. Thank you for your time in a combat zone - you definetly earned the bragging rights but to say you did more than most retirees is very ignorant on your part.
If you want the ability to shop AAFES or the Commissary then please come back into the military in some capacity. If you choose not to then accept that you must shop at Walmart, Target, Kroger, Fooddog, etc.
Retirees EARNED the right to and privledge to be able to shop on base. Thank you for your time in a combat zone - you definetly earned the bragging rights but to say you did more than most retirees is very ignorant on your part.
If you want the ability to shop AAFES or the Commissary then please come back into the military in some capacity. If you choose not to then accept that you must shop at Walmart, Target, Kroger, Fooddog, etc.
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SFC (Join to see)
when you retire you are not actually out of the military, you are subject to recall at anytime. its a continued benefit from active duty. that being said should a retiree lose their healthcare as well? if retirees lose the right to shop at the px and commissary, you probably would not be shopping there either due to the fact that they are the majority of shoppers there and if they are no longer allowed the stores would close and you would be stuck shopping on the open market along with them.
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Sorry. Nope. Were you medically retired? Doesn't sound like it.
While many of us can feel your pain, literally and figuratively...You don't rate. You have entered the civilian world willingly and without reservation.
AAFES is there to help offset the 'disparity' of income in the military vs the civilian workforce. Technically, it is subsidized by the government. You no longer qualify for that because you are able to go out and earn a good living*
If you want to keep shopping at AAFES, then join the reserves or get back in.
*the opportunity to earn a good living is a discussion for another time.
While many of us can feel your pain, literally and figuratively...You don't rate. You have entered the civilian world willingly and without reservation.
AAFES is there to help offset the 'disparity' of income in the military vs the civilian workforce. Technically, it is subsidized by the government. You no longer qualify for that because you are able to go out and earn a good living*
If you want to keep shopping at AAFES, then join the reserves or get back in.
*the opportunity to earn a good living is a discussion for another time.
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Why is Rally Point allowing these type of posts/surveys? Submissions such as this are doing the exact opposite of what the site was created for, they are separating and isolating certain veteran populations not bringing us together. I think the Rally point staff should screen the submissions a little better in the future.
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1. Did you really do 7 WHOLE months and only left the wire 10 times?
2. How can you compare 6 years with one 7 month deployment to 20+ years with at least a whole 12 month deployment.
3. Hope your shoulder is ok from having to ware that oh so heavy kit.
4. Check your calculator 6 years is much more than a little bit than 20.
5. I would invite you to come to a Jane Wayne day at a infantry unit. It's when the spouse get to experience what their Soldier does. Than maybe you would agree that a 20 "grunt" did much more in his 20 years than your 6 years with the 7 whole month deployment.
7.My answer to your question is NO.
2. How can you compare 6 years with one 7 month deployment to 20+ years with at least a whole 12 month deployment.
3. Hope your shoulder is ok from having to ware that oh so heavy kit.
4. Check your calculator 6 years is much more than a little bit than 20.
5. I would invite you to come to a Jane Wayne day at a infantry unit. It's when the spouse get to experience what their Soldier does. Than maybe you would agree that a 20 "grunt" did much more in his 20 years than your 6 years with the 7 whole month deployment.
7.My answer to your question is NO.
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As long as they get their money, and the vets served honorably. Who the hell cares!
Meanwhile, they lose money over political bullshit like this.
Meanwhile, they lose money over political bullshit like this.
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