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

No, you didn't put in enough time to qualify. Neither did I but I am not complaining.

That is some whinny butt hurt BS.
I spent almost my entire time in service on line in combat and wouldn't dream of saying that. After 20+ years in govt. service I had a line for whinny newbies, "I have more time standing in front of the pissior than you have in service, STFU!" Where would you draw that ridiculess entitlement line at?

Absolutely. That right was earned.

I did 10 years in the army and a year in Afghanistan. I would never go so far as to say as I deserve any of the benefits of someone who retired after 20 or those who were medically retired. This is absurd.

When you are in the military you get certain benefits to go with it, aafes is one of them. Now that we are out we don't get those benefits anymore. It's not unfair it is life.

I didn't serve to be entitled and now that I am out I am not entitled. If you want those benefits go back in knock out the other 15 years and earn it. If you don't feel you are able to, then you can't really compare to those who did their 20.

Hate to be the bringer of bad news just because you think you did your TIME does not me you did. Regulation governing the use of Px/Commisaries states clearly retired/ medically retired/ or on active duty. The age of I feel entitled to something has not hit the military YET so till then follow the regs to get what YOU EARNED. Moral of this story is No Freebies Here!

You sound ridiculous. Wearing your kit a lot, haha. I know people that do less than 6 and have many more reasons for entitlement than this. You're out of the military, so why go back to any of their facilities? Just go on living life. I'm sure Amazon Prime will satisfy your needs, brother.

Coming to this one a little late here and sort of glad I am. Sadly, this could have been a great discussion if it was worded differently. They way the author presented his/her argument is was lead to such a negative outpouring from the community. I served 8.5 years, completed several deployments, left the wire countless times but you don't see me saying I "deserve" anything. What I deserve is the ability to live my life, to use my knowledge and skills to help others and to have time with my two awesome kids; that is what I deserve.

Now the flip side of the coin. Recently I was talking with some Veterans in the area. Some retired, some honorably discharged. The discussion started by talking about how we can draw more talented Veterans to the area to fill this upcoming employment gap of 106,000 jobs that will be left open over the next few months/years as the baby boomers retire. As part of the discussion it was mentioned that AAFES just spent a lot of money to build a beautiful new commissary out by the Pittsburgh airport. Yet the overall military population here in the area is very small. We do have roughly 220,000 Veterans that call the area home though. So basically a very small percentage of the military presence in the area can use this great new facility. If they were to open it to Veterans along with retirees, it could be a great tool to draw talented, skilled, hard working Veterans to the region.

So do non-retirees deserve it? No but it could help a region draw in more Veterans that are looking for meaning employment if it is opened to us.

Wow a whole 10 times outside the wire in a seven month tour. Are you fucking kidding me

Sorry, but I can not give you this one. Although I appreciate your service, I think you know (and knew before) that there are regulations for the use of AAFES facilities. If those facilities meant that much to you you could have stayed with the Military until you were eligible for retirement. But you didn't, where many others did.

If you don't retire from a company you don't get retirement pay, you don't get your benefits that you would have gotten if you had had stayed at that company. The Military is the same.

Now, as a "grunt" and a 100% disabled Veteran......Obviously you didn't do as much as anyone who spent more time in the military than you did. Your comments are a slap in the face of the retirees and all those who did what they had to do for 15, 20 or more years. They didn't do it for the AAFES privileges, they did it to serve their country. Now, there are many who can barely walk into the Exchange due to injuries sustained due to a lifetime on Active Duty. Do you really think that you deserve the serve privileges because of a 30% disability from wearing your kit for a few months?

I think you should re-think your priorities.

I don't understand why you would want to shop at the BX/PX. Ok I live in DE so it is tax free shopping and the BX at Dover is awful so it does not matter where you shop. Some prices are better off base then on base. Even AAFES gas is about the same and sometimes higher. So you served good on you. The benefit is for RETIRED FOLKS. Get over it!