by Amanda Marksmeier, Guest Contributor
“Sorry, we only offer discounts to service members.”
As military spouses we have all heard this statement.
I find it ironic. My husband and I are partners in life, we share everything including a bank account. The money I use when making a purchase is as much his as it is mine.
Furthermore, the reason he is not with me is because he is either deployed, in the field or gone for training.
I don’t believe we as members of the military community are entitled to military discounts, but it is nice when a business offers a military discount to military spouses.
When the United States was engaged in two wars with the scars of 9/11 still seeping and American pride swelled within us, military discounts were a way to honor service members and their families. As the wars drag on and disappear from national headlines, the military community fades from the forefront of the minds of American civilians.
Unless you have a personal connection to the military you are unaware of the challenges and sacrifices of military families. So, allow me to share a few numbers with you.
The military spouse unemployment rate is estimated at 16%; the national unemployment rate is 3.9%. Sixteen percent doesn’t sound like a lot, but it equates to 104,000 out of work military spouses. This number does not reflect spouses who gave up their job search or are underemployed.
The average income for a service member is between $40,00 and $52,000 annually. The U.S. average annual household income is approximately $73,000. For those doing the math that is a difference of $21,000!
But military families don’t pay for housing or health insurance, right?! No, as a matter of fact we pay for both necessities. While military families can live in base housing it is not free.
Service members receive a housing stipend or basic housing allowance (which is included in the $52,000) but for families that choose base housing this money is recouped by the housing offices to cover living expenses.
Military members pay health insurance premiums just like everyone else. Granted our premiums are much lower than other insurance premiums but we pay them nonetheless.
Here are some more numbers to consider.
The average military family will move six to nine times. The government pays for the move, right? Yes and no. The government approves and pays to move our household goods up to a certain weight which is based on the service member’s rank, not how many dependents are in the household. They will also cover travel expenses such as gas, hotel stays and meals depending on the distance traveled.
What they don’t cover is the cost to ship a vehicle because your newly licensed teen is not experienced enough to drive across the country.
Another expense that is not covered is the three weeks of hotel fees because base housing is unavailable when you arrive on post.
A huge out-of-pocket expense for moving military families is food. For families living in a hotel or an empty home awaiting household goods, their only option is to eat out.
I know what you are thinking, no cooking or dirty dishes, sign me up. I am here to tell you, besides the cost, which can easily average $100 or more a day for a family of four, eating out gets old quickly.
My goal in sharing this is not to gain sympathy or “poor mouth” but simply to provide information by the numbers.
Many military families struggle financially, so a military discount not only helps their bottom line but boosts morale and gives a feeling of appreciation.
I have been a military spouse for almost 13 years and I am grateful for every moment of it. Military life has taken me many places and introduced me to amazing people. It is a life I chose but that doesn’t mean it is easy or cheap.
Our family has lived in six homes. My husband has been deployed for more than 60 months and has been away for far too many field exercises and trainings to count.
When I am offered a military discount on my purchase it makes me feel like someone is acknowledging and appreciating the commitment I made to my husband.
What are your thoughts on service member-only military discounts?
Amanda Marksmeier is an Army wife and mother of four. She works as an employment specialist assisting the military community in achieving their career goals. Amanda is also a contributing writer for a quarterly employment journal and has written for several military affiliated blogs.
I enjoyed reading your article. I agree with much of the content. My thoughts on service member-only military discounts are that it is pleasant to receive a discount, those members feel very special, they should, they are. It is very helpful and I often become a repeat customer to businesses that recognize military members-only, as well as families.
Many large businesses can afford to offer discounts to members and their families, they absorb the cost due to the volume of sales. However, many local or small business owners can not afford to offer such a lavish discount. The income is their way of life. If a small business owner is located in or near a military community, especially a small, out-of-the-way community, they rely on the people in that community to purchase what they sell. The business owner of a small store or eating establishment could potentially go out of business if they offered every military member and their spouse a discount. Some places like diners enjoy keeping their prices as low as possible, but they do need to make a profit to continue their business.
Don’t feel left out, or disappointed, thank those people for choosing that area to run their business. They could have chosen to sell their wares or open their establishments outside of the military community. They could have chosen a larger city, providing them with more customers and a greater profit. You would never have an opportunity to experience the cuisine or experience their special talents, their culture, or conversation.
Thank you, Kimberly, for your comment. I prefer to shop small and local businesses, the money spent at these businesses helps drive the local economy and they usually are very supportive of their local military community.
I’m a military veteran and sometimes I am told that the discounts’ for both products and admission to places are for active duty only. Of course because I get under $50,000 from the VA and Social Security Disability combined I am glad to get any discount I can get. This past Memorial Day my fridge broke down and I went to Lowes to replace it. I was happy to be able to get a 10% Veterans discount on it.
Happy to know veterans get the discount too. Only recently did the BASE OR POST Exchange system allow veterans who were not retired to use their facilities. At least that is my understanding. Lowes does give a discount to retired military and their spouses too but I recollect it is 5%.
Thank you Catharine for your service.
As a military spouse for over 25 years, I am happy to be able to get the military discount when offered. I supported my husband in all he did, helping him study for test in military schools and typing his papers (the days before computers), keeping the family going while he was consistently on TDY or sent overseas for a year each time, managing household finances so he didn’t have to, and being there to support him and the military community. In our way we served as well. Being a military spouse was a totally different way of life from the usual. Civilian world.
I am a widow of a serviceman who died on active duty. I dont always get discounts and it makes me sad. Kinda like not be wanted. TMOBILE was running 50% off montlhly service but not for me. Also USAA refuses to allow me to have insurance. Its so unfair.
The discount aspect has never bothered me but I understand your point. Spouses also serve along with the active duty member.
My other comment involves the temporary hotel stays on arrival at a new base. Unless things have changed a great deal in the last few years they are usually reimbursed after filing the proper paperwork for the costs of the hotel. Yes they pay out of pocket up front but receive that amount back. They are also allowed a certain amount, hang onto those receipts. If the temporary housing goes on for a few months they file every month or sometimes more often.
As a military widow, I show my ID when making a purchase, if I get a discount. I thank them, if not it’s OK.
ABSOLUTELY! Spouses should get the same military discounts as the military member! They have stood beside their spouses, raised children alone, worried about the danger the spouse faces, mourned lost loved ones, etc.
While I don’t feel that any business “should” offer a military discount I appreciate it when they do. I do realize as Kimberly stated that all businesses can not afford to give a discount to active duty, family members and retirees. However, I do feel that if they can’t afford to give all of those mentioned a discount then they should give no discount at all. To say in effect “I appreciate the active duty member more than the spouse who supports him/her” is unconscionable. I know through my 24 years of active duty without my spouse’s support I never would have made it. I could be deployed at any time and KNOW that when I returned the kids would be fine and a normal life would await. Her job was much more difficult than mine and she gave this country as much as I ever did. So don’t ever value my service over hers, honor our service together or not at all.