Military discount?

[Volant997]

Originally Posted by OrchidDR

Volant997,

In the older days, it was a benefit and the prices were usually 10-30% cheaper. As you so succinctly stated, the deals are no longer there. We shop at the Commissary but most of my major purchases are alas, outside the gate!

We used to shop at the commissary ALL the time. It's still a great benefit and easily is 20% less than local stores. Unfortunately the nearest one is 20+ miles away and not worth the round trip.

Hey, I know where this thread is headed... let's talk about what GREAT medical benefits we now have. Sorry, let's not! to you

[OrchidDR]

Squid indeed! Retired Navy Chief here and proud of it!

We shop at MacDill AFB which has the largest commissary in the world! (It's huge)

I don't know, I had rotator cuff surgery last year and it cost me $11.00 TOTAL and this past summer I had an emergency appendectomy (is there any other kind) and it was less than 50 bucks!

Knocking on wood!

[Clogger]

I can't talk about the pay rates for the USA forces but for a single British Army Soldier with a couple of stripes on his arm, a Rolex sub etc.. can be easily obtainable using 0% APR credit, most AD's in the UK offer this.

DDG, please thank your family for their service.

[Volant997]

Originally Posted by Clogger

I can't talk about the pay rates for the USA forces but for a single British Army Soldier with a couple of stripes on his arm, a Rolex sub etc.. can be easily obtainable using 0% APR credit, most AD's in the UK offer this.

DDG, please thank your family for their service.

Pay rates for the US military are a matter of public record. A couple stripes i.e Corporal/E4 or even Sergeant/E5... with 6 years under his/her belt: A whopping $2,414.40 a month or about $29,000/year (not counting housing allowance or other adds). If that said SGT has a family or other priorities there is very little left to be out buying high end watches.

Unfortunately most of these kids do go DEEP into debt to moment they join. There are enough temptations: car dealerships, etc offering 0% credit...

Two Navy Commanders living in HI (getting a great COLA and double-dipping on housing allowances) certainly - enjoy your Rolex, but I'd never council a young enlisted soldier that a Rolex is smart buy. Maybe the Brits pay their soldiers better, dunno...

[Clogger]

Originally Posted by Volant997

Pay rates for the US military are a matter of public record. A couple stripes i.e Corporal/E4 or even Sergeant/E5... with 6 years under his/her belt: A whopping $2,414.40 a month or about $29,000/year (not counting housing allowance or other adds). If that said SGT has a family or other priorities there is very little left to be out buying high end watches.

Unfortunately most of these kids do go DEEP into debt to moment they join. There are enough temptations: car dealerships, etc offering 0% credit...

Two Navy Commanders living in HI (getting a great COLA and double-dipping on housing allowances) certainly - enjoy your Rolex, but I'd never council a young enlisted soldier that a Rolex is smart buy. Maybe the Brits pay their soldiers better, dunno...

Just to clear things up, I served for 8 years. The British forces rank structure may sound similar to the US but infact is pretty different. It normally takes at least 10 years service to reach Sgt, hence the pay reflects this. I too would not advise a young soldier to buy anything on credit. There is nothing wrong with using credit as long as you can afford the outgoing IMHO and do it wisely, others mileage may vary.

Sorry to go off topic.

[HL65]

I am a retired Marine--I can tell you --I have never seen a Rolex in the PX--not even close--unless things have changed that much in last 19 years since I have been out! And if I remember correctly back then--after food allowance--beer being the only food consumed on weekends--hardly any money would be left for a Rolex.

[GradyPhilpott]

I also have PX privileges and I get an email from the exchange regularly. I've never seen a Rolex on the website, although Omegas are listed.

[thunderyacht]

Originally Posted by CPTL

If you want to be on time, the "best you can reasonably afford" is usually a Suunto. That's what they "issue" to the SF guys, and they're a heckuva lot more accurate than Rolex.

All the ops are synchronized on secure digital communications networks. The only reason you need a watch is to be on time to PT or a staff meeting.

No, the only reason YOU need a watch is to be on time to PT or a staff meeting. You probably pulled your card out for a "recruit time out" in Basic too. SF, you wish. Let's just leave it at, everyone who served, regardless of rank and branch, deserves a fine time piece like a Rolex. I've seen a lot of Rolexes at the "five sided building" in the MDoW.

[Otto]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan1965

I am a retired Marine--I can tell you --I have never seen a Rolex in the PX--not even close--unless things have changed that much in last 19 years since I have been out! And if I remember correctly back then--after food allowance--beer being the only food consumed on weekends--hardly any money would be left for a Rolex.

Well, it was only the overseas exchanges as far as I know; and in the catalog for overseas purchasers. They sold them at the Navy Exchange, Yokosuka, the Yokota AB PX, the New Sanno military hotel in Tokyo, and the Kadena PX; and that's a fact. They continued to sell in-store stock even after the relationship with Rolex ended. You could buy a brand new Explorer II white dial at Yokosuka for $2000 USD as late as the early 2000's; and the last President I saw at Yokota in around 2002, in fact the last Rolex they had in stock, was selling brand new for well under $10K. I also saw them in the Exchanges in the 80's. Before that, I don't know.

[Tombstone]

It's an AD choice issue. I know a few Firemen, Police officers who were given a discount (less than 20%) from my AD. I know of no standard discount. Things have changed, during WWII P.O.W.s could get Rolex watches sent to them on IOUs. (English were famous for this in German P.O.W. camps). My how things have changed at Rolex.

[CPTL]

Originally Posted by thunderyacht

No, the only reason YOU need a watch is to be on time to PT or a staff meeting. You probably pulled your card out for a "recruit time out" in Basic too. SF, you wish. Let's just leave it at, everyone who served, regardless of rank and branch, deserves a fine time piece like a Rolex. I've seen a lot of Rolexes at the "five sided building" in the MDoW.

Either you're misinformed, or angry about something. Either way, this post is

[Paul_I]

Originally Posted by thunderyacht

No, the only reason YOU need a watch is to be on time to PT or a staff meeting. You probably pulled your card out for a "recruit time out" in Basic too. SF, you wish. Let's just leave it at, everyone who served, regardless of rank and branch, deserves a fine time piece like a Rolex. I've seen a lot of Rolexes at the "five sided building" in the MDoW.

Why so defensive?