Military Discounts

[Hard-Deck]

Everyone, help me out, help me understand.

I'm an active duty Army Colonel. I do RECON most places like movie theaters, motorcycle parts stores, auto parts stores and the like and ask if they offer military discounts. I do not need discounts as my pay is well for a public servant. I do ask though to be able to tell my Soldiers who offers and who does not. I also...above board...tell the vendors that I'm passing the word on who does and does not offer.

Recently I had some people give me a lot of grief about asking and they told me that I'm being expectant of a handout, that I should be embarrassed to ask etcetera.

I'm trying to help my lower ranking Soldiers be thrifty.

Tell me straight...am I in place, or out of place to do this RECON?

[Jferr006]

You and every other soldier out there has earned it. It is simply a small way to say thanks for your sacrifices.

I'd glady pay the extra 10% anyday over sitting at home worrying and waiting for a call or an email, which I have done many times. Don't feel bad about that.

We've used military discounts several times on large purchases from like Lowes or Home depot and it does count for something ot feel like people get and appreciate what you've given up.

[wdfifteen]

It seems to me the purpose of a discount is to get people to patronize your place of business. If you don't post it or advertize it, you either do not offer it or you do it on a discretionary basis, to good customers whom you want to return. Recon should consist of looking for signs or ads stating that the business gives military discounts.

[onewhippedpuppy]

You've earned every damn dime of it. Seeing a sign that a business offers military discounts is a sign that I'm doing business with the right sort of place.

[bmcuscgr94]

Used to do the same thing for my team, but being reserves not all miltary discounts applyed to us. For some of our 18-20 year olds a discount really matters. Never had anyone respond like they did to you all were very polite when they said only active duty got the discounts.

[Mark Howard]

Snapper, I share your sentiment and have done the same for my soldiers over the years. Don't have to lecture you, but what you are doing is called leadership. Think about what the "S" stands for in the Army Values. You are simply living up to those values. There are not many jobs out there, other than police, fire, etc, that employees may have to give their life in the execution of their duties, so maybe a little consideration or recognition is nice every now and then. We've earned it, and if some vendor has an issue with you asking, then perhaps you are right in passing those vendors names and locations along and soldiers can take their business elsewhere. Word of mouth advertising goes both ways.

Just my $.02 after 28 years of service.

[Hard-Deck]

Reserve or not brother, you should get props....

A nod from me...

Originally Posted by bmcuscgr94

Used to do the same thing for my team, but being reserves not all miltary discounts applyed to us. For some of our 18-20 year olds a discount really matters. Never had anyone respond like they did to you all were very polite when they said only active duty got the discounts.

[Seabear]

First: Thank you, Colonel, and all your troops for what you have sacrificed for our country.
Second: Screw anyone who gives you grief about looking out for your troopers.
Third: Any business that gives active military a discount deserves my appreciation and my business.

[KFC911]

Can't imagine anyone getting "pissy" about you asking...keep on keepin' on!

...and THANK YOU!

[bmcuscgr94]

Thanks Snapper, back at you.

My son is navy, 10 years regular and now in the reserves. He can find a military dicount like a blood hound. Reserve status hasn't been a problem, he just mentions being on the Abe Lincoln and shaking President Bush's hand and he's in story telling mode.

[motion]

Originally Posted by Snapper33

Everyone, help me out, help me understand.

I'm an active duty Army Colonel. I do RECON most places like movie theaters, motorcycle parts stores, auto parts stores and the like and ask if they offer military discounts. I do not need discounts as my pay is well for a public servant. I do ask though to be able to tell my Soldiers who offers and who does not. I also...above board...tell the vendors that I'm passing the word on who does and does not offer.

Recently I had some people give me a lot of grief about asking and they told me that I'm being expectant of a handout, that I should be embarrassed to ask etcetera.

I'm trying to help my lower ranking Soldiers be thrifty.

Tell me straight...am I in place, or out of place to do this RECON?

A Colonel among us? I stand in humble awe. Thank you and congratulations for reaching such a high station in life.

There must be a website or mobile app out there that tracks military discounts? If not, seems like there should be

[Nostril Cheese]

Anyone who doesnt go out of the way to help veterans needs a kick in the head.

[Hard-Deck]

I'm just a Soldier, trying to help my fellow Soldiers...that's it.

I got my ass handed to me on a motorcycle forum for posting about a motorcycle parts place that didn't offer a discount. I feel sad for my Soldiers who would or could get the response that I received.

Originally Posted by motion

A Colonel among us? I stand in humble awe. Thank you and congratulations for reaching such a high station in life.

There must be a website or mobile app out there that tracks military discounts? If not, seems like there should be

[HHI944]

You sound like a hellofa leader sir. Don't let the jacka55es get you down, you're doing the right thing.

[fintstone]

I don't need the discount either...but I take my business where they are offered. Even if I have to go out of my way to do so. Most offer discounts to attract the large financial impact that a local military post/soldiers bring to the community...as they can always spend their money on base or save it to spend in their hometown on leave. Since I make "big bucks" by military standards, my business amounts to much more than that of most of my troops, so my business is more valuable to the offeror and contributes to their offering the discount to those with lesser rank. If they choose not to offer a discount, that is up to them. Their competitor will.

[fintstone]

BTW, Smith and Wesson is offering a $100 military rebate on new M&P 5.56 mm rifles excluding the M&P15 Sport, $50 on new M&P pistols (excludes M&P22 and M&P Shield), and $30 on new revolvers limited to one rebate for each tgype. SW Nation's Finest Program...details and form is on the S&W website.

It is open to active duty, retired, active reservists and diabled vets through June 30th.

I bought a new M&P15 556 NATO to show my support...and will redeem the offer. Seems like a well made weapon...much like what we take to the field. They are available in some exchanges that sell weapons.

[John Rogers]

Well since I went in the service in 1965 and retired in 1985 and except for the past few years there have been no discounts or specials for military so if a business gives them or not is not important to me. The fact that the military is NOT drafted now should weigh against what ever a business wants to do. Back when we had the draft and you had no choice, that was when discounts and specials would have been very nice since those getting shot, maimed or blown up really needed it but nothing was forth coming.

If it were me, I would let the junior folks ask themselves and decide for themselves. But then I guess I am getting old and cynical and my joints are aching due to the rain here in southern CA!

[fintstone]

I am over 37 for pay and certainly served back before you retired and agree that things have changed...but basically, after the first hitch, everyone were volunteers then as well. Although pay has certainly risen significantly, with the El Dorado Canyon (Libya), Bosnia-Herzegovina, Mogadishu, Kosovo, Mogadishu2, the Gulf War, Afghanistan, Iraq, Afghanistan...we have effectively been at constant war now for almost 20 years. After we left Vietnam in 73, we were pretty much a peacetime military for much of the '70s and 80s.

That said...military life is tough in war or peacetime. If a business sees fit to provide a discount, in general, I will support it. Most do so for their own economic benefit.

[tevake]

I think it is a fine effort you are making for your troops! Just put the businesses that have that negative attitude on your not recommended list.
Thanks for your service to the country and your troops!!

Cheers Richard

[jyl]

The negative reaction the OP describes seems weird, surprising.

Maybe the business misinterpreted the question as complaining about no discount, or threatening to blackball their business. Might be as simple as a misunderstanding.