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

Retirees absolutely...E.T.S...i dont think so. If you wanted the benefits you should have stayed in. UNLESS it you discharged due to injury. Dont matter how many deployments you did.

I am abivalent about the question. A reservist who serves 20 years with no active duty (other than training) has less time than a 5- yr active duty vet. Also some retired reservists never got deployed. (Incliding yours truly) I feel incline to initiate the salute to fellow veterans who have been in combat.

I really can't see this as a legitimate post. Leaving the wire "more than 10 times in 7 months" is not doing more than anyone, except rear D. And even then, those guys may have had deployments in their past. By your logic, I did a tour in Saudi Arabia, just under 6 months, guarded classified areas, 1 tour in Iraq, was stop loss, 4 months, 1 tour Afghanistan, 9 months, left the wire a shit ton of times, I should not only be able to shop at AAFES, but should get free shit every third time I do. Oh yeah, I'm retired from the Army so, yes, I can shop at AAFES.

Read my idea Before going off on me.

I too served for 6 Years and did a combat rotation. My service was no more or less meaning full or important than any other who volunteered to wear the uniform. While I don't think I "deserve" to shop at AAFES. I do think I earned limited use. I think going this route is equal to all. Limit use for time served with a minimum of 3 years up to retirement.

If AAFES revenue comes from military and non military customer why not? AAFES isn't anything special anyway. As already stated Walmart and Target sometimes just have better deals.

A very good point here. My Tea Party friends in Congress are looking for a way to trim the budget. We could start with the base Exchange by closing them all down the good Tax payers will not have to subadice the lavish life style of those in the Military. I hope the Military is ready for a major down size. Long gone are the days of unlimited Military spending.

I voted, "No the policy is good as is." But I am torn by it, mainly because I only served six-years, of the 20 I intended to serve when I joined. I joined Active Army when I turned 31-years-old. I never seen myself as "Old" until that 1st day of fill week. With that being said, during basic training I suffered a multitude of stress fracture's, etc., during training. I had, what was later diagnosed as, Compartmental Stress Syndrome. Basically, as it was explained to me, the muscle that surrounds your muscles wasn't expanding in order to release the by products muscles produce while exercising. It was causing my foot to go numb due to low blood circulation. Since I was in basic, they couldn't fix the problem with the surgery I needed because, as I was told, they couldn't give me the operation because I was still in basic training and attached to a training unit. I wanted in the Army, so I sucked it up and drove on. I completed basic and 12B AIT (OSUT). I'm thinking I'm good to go for my operation, once I get over seas to Hawaii for my first duty station. But, SNAFU for Pfc. Biles, joining at 31-years-old causes major S2 issues and I am held over while my SF-72 is scrutinized before shipping me out. Six months later, after nine months of a training atmosphere I said I'll stay CONUS and was stationed at Fort Lewis where I finally got my operation. However, the young doctor cut me in the wrong spot and gave me nerve damage, which has lead to other problems-blah-blah-blah. I stayed a combat engineer until my window of re-enlistment opened at my 3-year mark and changed my MOS to 46Q when I did re-enlist. The orders and school took the better part of my 4th year to do. My last two years as a 46Q until I was put out on a medical discharge due to damage sustained to my leg. Now, I tell you all this so you can gain a little insight when I tell you, anonymous, you sound like a whining bitch. When I go to the VA and I see the carnage of war's aftermath, both mental and physical, I feel grateful to walk on my own, even when it becomes painful to do. I don't mind if they receive more, or better benefits than I do. They earned it by doing the Time in Service, which was much longer than time I served regardless of my initial intent of serving 20. But, how I would love to shop on a post or base again just for that nostalgic feeling of American Pride. So, bottom line, Anonymous, stop whining, suck it up like the rest of us non-lifers and start your process of cutting through the red tape to find and get what your time-in deserves.

If you haven't been dishonorably discharged, I see no reason as to why any vet couldn't make use of the Exchange or commissary. I'm sure they'd welcome the influx of money. Although your reasoning behind it is a little odd for a person who vol'd to serve (ribbon rack pissing contests seem shallow), it sounds like a reasonable idea. Now the crux will be how to identify who gets access. DD-214? Do they issue limited usage ID cards? Will they restrict base access to ONLY the vet? Next time pose it without mentioning trips outside the wire. Myself and a million others could spend years telling stories about conflicts not including the current engagements and some involving them as well.

now a days there is no benefit to shopping at the PX they are over priced and have a crap selection of goods when compared to off post stores who offer all veterans discounts as long as they have an ID card showing that they are a veteran (yes even the VA ID). the only place that is still worth it on post is the commissary for meat and that at times is questionable.

We all served. I did 14 years and got out only to be closer to where my ex wife moved with my son after a nasty divorce. Had that not occurred I would have done 20 and retired. I had an excellent career and got out with an Honorable Discharge. I think 14 years deserves something other than a kick in the pants. Just my opinion. I got penalized for choosing to be a good father to my son.