Guard and Reserve Benefits – Let’s Talk!

Image via Wikipedia I’ve been “tweeting” (Twitter talk for all you non-Twitter folks ) with Lauren Vargas (@AAFES_STYS) who works for AAFES and she told me something I didn’t know – that the commanding officer in charge of AAFES, Major General Keith Thurgood, was an Army reservist before accepting his current assignment. Actually, I think I may have heard this fact several months ago but it didn’t really register with me at the time.

This is encouraging to hear because for most Reserve and Guard families, we don’t have the benefit of being near an AAFES or NEX to shop and get that benefit of savings most active military families receive. I am hopeful that more will be done over the next few years to bring those stores closer to Guard and Reserve families, or at least the awareness. We currently can go online and shop and receive great discounts – it’s the commissary that’s a whole different story!

MG Thurgood has a message on the AAFES blog about the new Strategic Plan they’ve just released and I commented on the fact that they like to encourage military to shop in the military stores because they put money back in the MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) programs which in theory benefit the service members and the families. I say “in theory” because for most Goard and Reserve families, we never see those benefits because we don’t live anywhere near our respective military installations.

So AAFES would like to hear from you – as a Guard or Reserve family, how can they better serve you and your needs? What would make things easier? I am also curious as to how many of you out there actually shop at the exchanges, either in the brick and mortar locations or online. How many of you are just finding out about it with this blog post?

Go to the post on the AAFES blog and let your voice be heard!

Tina Schlise says:

January 10, 2009 at 9:08 am

Sara, I live near some and we are active but I’ll tell ya–the savings are minimal to none.
Target has better deals on many items and places like cotsco/sams club have way better deals on grocery items as well. As far as furniture and the tax free savings on larger items–we have to shop online anyways for those items just as a gaurd/reserve families would. They have one large warehouse here but the stock is minimal again (mostly show/floor items that have people ‘testing’)

Maybe the grass is always greener but I’d give up those bennies anyday of the week to live closer to family to support me during husband’s absences!! This of course is assuming many of guard/reserve families do live closer to family though!! Just letting you know you’re not missing that much!!

Sara Horn says:

January 10, 2009 at 11:37 am

Hey Tina! Great points… I’ve also heard from others that say WalMart beats commisary prices quite a bit (but I really hate WalMart… LOVE Target!)

I think you’re right about the grass being greener – we always think the other half have it better, but often, we each deal with problems, though just different ones. Glad we can support each other all the same! Thanks for writing!

Lauren Vargas says:

January 10, 2009 at 2:30 pm

Sara,

Thank you for telling your readers about AAFES being on Twitter and our latest blog post on SaluteToYourService.com. We are eager to hear and act upon what our customers say!

In response to Tina: Don’t forget to include the No Tax option and Price Match Policy when comparing pricing and savings. While our Guard/Reserve community may not be close to an installation to shop the BX/PX, we do have The Exchange Online Store, specialty online stores and online concession mall. We are adding to the selection and vendor diversity everyday. What we need is your feedback as to whether the product and selction meet your needs.

Also, how can we reach out and let our G/R community know of their AAFES benefit? We understand we may not always be your first choice, but we want to be one of your choices and serve you.