"AAFES and Military Exchanges to Allow Veterans to Shop Online - Registration Now Open"

[Kaleva]

"Due to the changing environment and force reductions, the Defense Department’s Executive Resale Board voted to allow online access to honorably-discharged military veterans. This is scheduled to go live on Veterans Day 2017 and could return upwards of an additional $100 million to the military communities."

https://themilitarywallet.com/aafes-allow-veterans-shop-online/

This went into effect back in 2017 but I just read about it a couple of days ago. I signed up and did some price checking. A 65" Samsung tv that my in-laws bought on Amazon a couple of weeks ago is over a $100 less at AAFES and the 4 year extended warranty they had purchased is $20 less.

[ExciteBike66]

1. Can I get it on the "dumb private program"?

[The Polack MSgt]

2. DPP is now called the Star Card

It's about the same as any store credit program (bad i mean)

But my wife and I use it now and again. Just like any credit card it's not too bad if you pay the balance quickly.

I don't know if you can sign up for it after you get out. I'm retired and so they never required me to out process the exchange

[Aristus]

3. I remember when AAFES had the 'Runnin' Chef' food service program.

You could go to any Runnin' Chef on post and get anything from snacks to a burger to a full hot meal at a good price. The U.S. Army in the '70's was a shadow of its pre-Vietnam War self, but it still had some things to recommend it. Army hospitals offered a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner every November, and medical personnel and their families could enjoy an excellent holiday meal without having to cook.

Starting in the '80's, they started outsourcing food service to private corporations like Burger King, and food service started to suck.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

4. Thank you for this information, Kaleva !

I don't live within driving distance of any AFEES. This could be quite useful.

Thank you, shipmate.

[GP6971]

5. Also available to veterans is the

Veteran Canteen Service...https://shopvcs.va.gov/. It is somewhat comparable to AAFES, but with fewer choices.

All you have to do is go to the link and register (registration verifies your service)and you're in.

[Kaleva]

6. Going to have to check that out!