Now, AAFES is rarely the best deal, WalMart gives he and my Mom the best deal on prescriptions, the commissary is a long way away (with BRAC), the dental went away and TriCare for Life just isn't the same as the base hospital! (Oh yeah, that got downgraded to a clinic - then closed to retirees!)
I guess it is all a matter of whether the glass is half full or half empty, whether one sees the good in things or just wants to complain, and, more importantly, whether we want to show the young people on this forum the advantages of the military or attempt to dissuade their endeavors.
AAFES/NEX-No taxes. Quality products. I don’t know how much junk I have returned to Walmart because it broke and how much junk I still have because the warranty has expired. I swear that the stuff made for them is of a lower quality than the exact samr product somewhere else. Quality, tax savings, and a few percent cheaper makes shopping there a great deal.
Commissary-huge savings, especially on certain products. Also, no taxes. Around military bases, grocery stores have to compete somewhat with the commissaries, but out in the hinterlands, not so. There are many military bases in nice-to-visit areas (and they all have golf courses). Figure out where the savings are, take a vacation every 3 months or so, and stock up. In all services, the BEQs/BOQs have become lodges, and with a little planning, one can get a room for as little as $25 per night. Take another honeymoon and go shopping and compare prices. A good igloo ice chest works.
Dental-Dental is a very miniscule insurance deduction from the retirement pay. No brainer.
Medical-Look at the average civilian plan compared to Tricare plus a supplement. We are lucky. I tell enlisted kids to stay in solely for the medical. At the age of 38, they can retire, do anything they want, and not be tied to an employer medical plan. Tricare plus a supplement is a great deal. Max out of pocket of $500 or so annually. I applaud that the military has separated active duty care from retired care. Before, retirees were at the bottom of the priority list. Military medicine can now do what it should, support the active duty members. Now, civilian medicine is clamoring for Tricare patients. Tricare pays their bills.
Retirement-Look at the economy and the alternatives. Pay has always been the least possible amount in order to compete with the civilian sector and retain the desired levels. Right now, there is no competition. One should consider themselves lucky to have a career.
All in all, a great deal.
). Almost immediately after retirement it began to go away. 
"High 3?" Pima, that's just a start, believe me....