There are two things wrong with this idea. The first is that it has driven retirees away from the clubs, which has the effect of eliminating a benefit and also a way for them to stay involved in the Air Force. The second thing that is wrong is that organizations such as TROA, AFA, AFSA, etc. lose potential members because these people are turned-off by the inexplicable extra charge for a meal. This point is emphasized when the organization quits using the club altogether because their members refuse to pay what they feel is an unfair cost. In fact, at lunch time the dining rooms include very few active-duty members, some retirees who are club members, and some retirees who are shopping at the BX, commissary, and getting their prescriptions filled and who live far enough from the base to be unaffected by the surcharge rule.
Retirees continue to provide the bulk of business transactions at military clubs.
It is suggested that even more retirees would patronize the clubs if they were given a break on monthly dues. Reduced annual income for most of the retirees is the primary factor. Some relief was gained in 1997 when retirees living more than 50 miles from the host base were offered discounts of up to 5O percent in dues .payments. It is suggested that this discount be expanded to include all retirees. That the council request Air Force Services consider expansion of the monthly dues discount to include all retirees.