Huge expansion in base privileges

AAFES access is less than worthless. CONUS they are not allowed to charge less than 15% below local average retail, but are free to charge more if they wish & they often do. Even without paying any sales tax, the PX/BX is no kind of deal. OCONUS is a different story & this would be nice for our expat vets.

Commissary privileges are nice, but with a 2 hour drive to Bragg & the hassle of getting on post (let alone the concealed carry issues), it's just not worth it to us.
 
I think they’re trying to increase business in these places because of how sharp of a decrease in sales/revenue they’ve seen in recent years.

Even though I live about 45 mins from Ft Jackson and am occasionally over there in the area, I’m always armed so I’m not risking that. It was different back when I had a campaign hat on the dash going through the main gate. Never had an issue
 
Since I work in bragg I’ll now hit the case lot sales... since it’s just the old lady and I, prolly not much of a benefit except the class 6
 
Things started changing with AAFES about 1980 if I remember correctly. 1970's you could get good deals. I have not really seen anything really cheaper going through AAFES. I did catch a special on a camera back in the mid 80's and that was it. Booze is a different story. If I am near a base I will stop in and buy a bottle of whiskey, but that is it.
 
They had to expand their pool of clientele. Without all these new veterans they would go out of business. They still might, over time.

It's the same thing that the VFW did... Used to, you couldn't join unless you had set foot in a foreign war zone. But the VFW has been slowly bleeding to death due to attrition. Old members were dying. There weren't enough new members willing to sign up, so what does the VFW do? They change the rules... Now, anyone who got a "global war on terror" ribbon (everybody on active duty post 2001) gets to join the VFW, whether they went to Iraq/ Afghanistan or not...

VFW and PX/ Exchange system... Two organizations facing extinction, doing whatever they can to hold on for as long as possible.
 
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They had to expand their pool of clientele. Without all these new veterans they would go out of business. They still might, over time.

It's the same thing that the VFW did... Used to, you couldn't join unless you had set foot in a foreign war zone. But the VFW has been slowly bleeding to death due to attrition. Old members were dying. There weren't enough new members willing to sign up, so what does the VFW do? They change the rules... Now, anyone who got a "global war on terror" ribbon (everybody on active duty post 2001) gets to join the VFW, whether they went to Iraq/ Afghanistan or not...

VFW and PX/ Exchange system... Two organizations facing extinction, doing whatever they can to hold on for as long as possible.

Depends on what GWOT medal. GWOT-S, everyone gets and requires no foriegn service.

GWOT-E is the expeditionary medal used prior to implementation of the iraq/Afghanistan campaign medals, and is still used to signify service in the AOR where a specific campaign medal hasn't been authorized.
 
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Depends on what GWOT medal. GWOT-S, everyone gets and requires no foriegn service.

GWOT-E is the expeditionary medal used prior to implementation of the iraq/Afghanistan campaign medals, and is still used to signify service in the AOR where a specific campaign medal hasn't been authorized.
That makes sense. Maybe I misunderstood.

Either way, it seems to me that the on base stores are not doing well and looking for a new policy to save the day.

When i was on active duty, my wife stopped shopping at the PX because it was a lot closer to a Piggly Wiggly than a Whole Foods. It seemed like the produce was always on the verge of expiring, right when you bought it.

The one thing I did enjoy was getting cheaper tickets to theme parks, etc., at the MWR.

That's the only thing I'm looking forward to. I might actually drive to Fayettville to see if they have any good deals on amusement park tickets, etc.
 
That makes sense. Maybe I misunderstood.

Either way, it seems to me that the on base stores are not doing well and looking for a new policy to save the day.

When i was on active duty, my wife stopped shopping at the PX because it was a lot closer to a Piggly Wiggly than a Whole Foods. It seemed like the produce was always on the verge of expiring, right when you bought it.

The one thing I did enjoy was getting cheaper tickets to theme parks, etc., at the MWR.

That's the only thing I'm looking forward to. I might actually drive to Fayettville to see if they have any good deals on amusement park tickets, etc.

Agreed on all. Be really nice if they changed the access to fort fisher rec area.
 
Are these the same stores that pulled all standard capacity magazines after Sandy Hook?
 
Are these the same stores that pulled all standard capacity magazines after Sandy Hook?
When Sandy Hook went down, I was stationed in California. There was one MCX that sold guns on base at 29 Palms. Since they were in California, they were only allowed to sell 10rd mags anyway. I'm not sure if they changed the policy in other states after Sandy Hook...
 
Yes, NEX and AAFES pulled standard capacity to low cap 10 rounders. Enough service members wrote them as being hypocrites and to boycott them that they reversed the decision. Only use the PX down range.

CD
 
Only deal I ever got at a PX was a pair of lovely Polk Audio tower speakers they were blowing out for $300, while they were going for $1000+ CONUS in the early '90's.
 
To get on base to use the PX, you have to have a VA medical card. As a result of this thread, I figured I'd go ahead and try and get one, who knows, might need it at some point in my life, and better to have it an not need it, etc.

Been trying for a week now to get logged on. If VA Medical is as good as their IT staff, then I'd be better off going to a witch doctor or just buying some leeches.
 
To get on base to use the PX, you have to have a VA medical card. As a result of this thread, I figured I'd go ahead and try and get one, who knows, might need it at some point in my life, and better to have it an not need it, etc.

Been trying for a week now to get logged on. If VA Medical is as good as their IT staff, then I'd be better off going to a witch doctor or just buying some leeches.
I know a few leaches. PM me your address, and I'll send them over...
 
AAFES is all about PROFIT!! Screw the serviceman. They've gone down hill since the 70s.

CD

"They've gone downhill since the 70s." LOL, Mr. Get-off-my-lawn-Boomer.... :D

Seriously, I have not found any whopping deals at a PX that can't be had at a Sam's, BJ's, or Costco. I understand the commissary is still cheaper than most grocery stores, but it would have to be by 75% for me to drive to Bragg or SJAFB (which my mom did when my dad retired).

My kids like to go to the exchange just to walk around, and eat at the fast food, because they have done that since they were babies and it's a fond memory. I'm OK if I don't go on base anymore.
 
To get on base to use the PX, you have to have a VA medical card. As a result of this thread, I figured I'd go ahead and try and get one, who knows, might need it at some point in my life, and better to have it an not need it, etc.

Been trying for a week now to get logged on. If VA Medical is as good as their IT staff, then I'd be better off going to a witch doctor or just buying some leeches.

You actually have to go to your vamc to get a vhic. Bring two forms of ID when you go (DL and ss card), proceed to the eligibility office. Assuming you're enrolled/elibible, they'll take your pic and the card is mailed to you.
 
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