Military Exchanges

[Eddies66]

Originally Posted by FED 387

Just pulled up Military.com 8/16/17 says Pentagon has not given final approval at this point but it would maybe go into effect in 2017- still working out some of the details --regardless it looks like another great opportunity to save money if Vets are allowed to participate--FED 387

MOAA participated in the semi-annual meeting of the Exchange Retiree Advisory Council (ERAC) at AAFES Corporate Headquarters in Dallas, TX on June 24th. The Council was updated on a formal proposal sent to the Department of Defense (DoD) requesting a change in policy to extend online shopping privileges to all honorably discharged veterans. Because the benefit would be limited to online only, current beneficiaries would not be impacted. Presently, honorably discharged veterans are afforded full exchange benefits provided they are 100% disabled, or hospitalized where exchange facilities are available. As a result, approximately 90% of veterans are excluded from Exchange shopping privileges. The proposed policy change would provide a tangible, albeit modest, sign of our country’s appreciation for all veterans who have served honorably. As a non-appropriated entity, the Exchange annually generates hundreds of millions of dollars in earnings to support morale, welfare and recreation (MWR) efforts such as child development centers, youth services, pools, bowling facilities, golf courses, and much more. In 2013, the dividend payment to MWR was $208 million dollars. If the Department of Defense changes its policies to allow all honorably discharged veterans’ access to the online exchange, dividends earned through increased patronage would be returned to MWR to support on-installation quality of life programs and improve physical retail operations. Extending online only shopping privileges to all honorably discharged veterans honors their service in a small, tangible way. And, in today’s fiscally constrained environment, it preserves the benefit for all who have served and protects the dividend that provides the necessary dollars to maintain valuable MWR programs.

It is going to happen. More to follow!!!