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

Resources are proportionate to personal assigned to the installation, and nearby community. Although AAFES could use the extra revenue, access to Base/Post facilities by all who served, would deplete resources and create an insurmountable security risk.

Let me get this straight: You're expecting benefits otherwise due to 1.) retirees, 2.) active duty service members, and 3.) dependents? Ummm... If you're not in either of the afore mentioned categories, get in line at the local grocery store with all your fellow veterans.

When did a 7 month deployment to Iraq out weigh 20+ years of service. Who ever wrote this should be embarrassed by comparing their short deployment with a lifer grunt. I thought this was satire when I first read it. Please tell me that this is not the future of this nation.

No, the policy is good as is.

If a person can get on post, then they should be allowed to spend their money at AAFES as a portion of the profits goes towards MWR funds, the more the merrier.

If you think AAFES has good deals then you should get a higher disability rating. The prices aren't competitive as the funds goes towards the MWR. So savings aren't really there....that being said. I say sure, if a Soldier can be considered a "veteran" by serving 4 years in the the Army without ever deploying then I say if you want to support continued military operations by contributing the AAFES products then game on. Your passion concerning your military obligations does seem rather inflated and sorta arrogant, but that not the point, the point was if I think you should be able to shop at AAFES in which I say, Yes, only because you have a compensated VA benefit.

I have been retired for almost 20 years now and haven't been in an AAFES facility in more than 10 years at least and really didn't even use them that much the last 5 years I was in. Found it cheaper off base even with the tax and a lot more choices too. You are really not missing much. Thanks for your service but those in the rear with the gear serve too so ruck up and move on.

Airman Anonymous, you clearly just don't get it. I salute your service--you've done more than most Americans. Realize, though, there is a subset of that subset that did more. We retirees spent a significant portion of our lives doing exactly what you are foot stomping about. There is a reward for doing more.

Guess what? The reward isn't AAFES or even a monthly check. The reward is that, barring serious misconduct, we are military members for life. Being retired is a military status, not a discharge. It's unlikely, but any of us could be recalled to active duty at any time. I regularly get mail with my rank before my name, and my heart skips a beat every time because I'm still part of the family.

You chose to get out after one enlistment. I stayed for many. There's no shame in either choice. The result is that I still have military status. You do not. AAFES requires a military affiliation, which I have and you do not. So what's the problem again?

To start by answering your question, no you are not justified in your assumption that you rate retiree benefits. The only exception would be if your 30% was the result of a PEB or medboard. I am guessing that is not the case here. I will also comment on your ridiculous self entitlement that you compare your deployment to that of an jnfantry grunt. Your 10 times out the wire comes out to 1 1/2 trips per month. That leaves no comparison and just makes you look selfish and self boasting.
I was medically retired after 11 1/2 years and have a rating of 60%. Yes having on base benefits is handy but reserved for those who have sacrificed a bit more. You have several benefits entitled to you for being 30% disabled. Use those and be content.

@anonymous (who I think is just a false poster just to generate discussion)
The following statistics are the best I could find at the moment; however, for the trends and my point, they will work. In 2011 there were 130,206 military individuals eligible for longevity retirement, of those only 34,859 or 26.8% retired; this from a total force of 1,429,995 (all branches). So as one can see, the actual retirement pool is small and the actual retiree pool is smaller. If it were easy, everybody would do it.
When I joined in 1981, I was promised certain things if I served honorably and retired, PX and commissary privileges were part of the package. I subsequently served 23 years on active duty and 7 years in the reserve system; total 30 years. I was medically discharged with 80% rating. My only MOS that I carried through two combat operations (Grenada and Iraq) was 11B (Infantry); hence the 80 percent disability.
I made an agreement with my country and stood by that agreement, thick and thin, and my country has honored their part (so far). If you feel that your limited service and experiences equate to most “longevity retired” Veterans, then petition you elected representatives and attempt to have them make changes. As the military is cutting down and DOD is looking at restructuring retirement benefits, I think you may be wasting more of your time.