Starting in November, honorably discharged veterans will be able to access the online stores of military exchanges like the one on Redstone Arsenal. The new benefit will not apply to the actual brick-and-mortar stores, but veterans will be able to shop at any service’s exchange website. The online benefit will be available on Veterans Day, November 11.
“AAFES is honored to offer this well-deserved benefit to those who raised their right hands, took the oath and served our Nation with honor,” said AAFES Director/CEO Tom Shull. “There are many generations of service members who have not been properly recognized for their sacrifices. The Veterans Online Shopping Benefit (VOSB) acknowledges their service and welcomes them home.”
The exchanges will use information provided by the Defense Manpower Data Center to verify whether or not a veteran is eligible. According to AAFES, if a veterans records are incomplete, they will need to register through the VA.
While an honorably discharged veteran will be able to use the benefit, there are no plans to extend it to their dependents. The benefit was the proposal of AAFES Director/CEO Tom Shull in 2014.
“AAFES, along with its sister exchanges, is ensuring America’s veterans are honored for their service and recognized as Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Sailors for life,” he said in a statement. “We look forward to welcoming our veterans home this Veterans Day and every day thereafter.”
