The Realization
AAFES (The Army Air Force Exchange Service) is not a store for everyone, although by design it is supposed to be. It is only a store for adults who do not mind being bombarded with sexually explicit slogans and images throughout the store. Additionally, AAFES has no policy that prevents children from purchasing CDs with explicit lyrics, movies that are rated R (Restricted), and or video games that are rated M (Mature). Because of this, we are asking AAFES to incorporate policies that are very similar to what Wal-Mart has already put in place. We call this standard "the Wal-Mart Standard". In time, we hope that AAFES rises to the challenge and adopts this standard as the norm so that children and principled adults can shop for supplies in a family-friendly environment.
Our Mission
Our mission is to help AAFES make sensible changes to its current policies that result in every AAFES establishment becoming family-friendly.
A Call to AAFES
1. Incorporate a pro-family stance into the AAFES Mission Statement reflecting the values of the people AAFES serves - military families.
2. Develop, publish, and implement a family-friendly policy. The following must be included in this policy:
2a. Stop selling all pornography (e.g. Playboy) and publications that appeal to prurient interest (e.g. Maxim, FHM, Stuff, Cosmopolitan, Heavy Metal).
2b. Do not position any publications that might be interpreted as offensive in areas where the customer is a captive audience (e.g. checkout aisle, store entrance, restroom hallway).
2c. Stop selling all music labeled "Explicit Lyrics".
2d. Post a sign clearly visible at each register and enforce a policy that states no rated "M for Mature" games and "R for Restricted" movies will be sold to anyone less than 18 years of age.
Contact AAFES
Anyone can call (1-800-527-6790) or email them at commander@aafes.com. You can also fill out an online comment form if you are in the military. They always send a response, so let them know what you think about this important issue!
AAFES already posts the above sign at all its Shoppettes and Exchanges at Fort Riley, Kansas. This is a very good system that is already in place. However, only doing this for alcohol and tobacco is not good enough. AAFES needs to do something similar to this for Rated R movies and Rated M video games. AAFES has a responsibility to not only protect children from tobacco and alcohol, but from sexually explicit and inappropriate media.
Another idea that would be a suitable solution is to have a prompt at the register that reminds the cashier to card a customer when one of these inappropriate items is scanned.
Once a system is in place, it is also up to AAFES to ensure that the employees are properly trained. We are asking AAFES to be more like Wal-Mart who already has register prompts and gives formal training to all its employees that teaches them the different video game and movie ratings and what to do when confronted with a situation dealing with those forms of media.
2 comments:
UM, the adult games and books come in with an ID flag that usually pops up when the restricted item is scanned. If it doesn't do so, then you should point it out to the manager so it can be corrected.
Just a reminder to all you people who want to make AAFES a sweet little place safe for your kiddies: The Post Exchange was originally created to provide goods to ACTIVE DUTY personnel in remote locations. The minute it decided to become a full retail business, some you forgot that original mission. Take a chill pill already!
I get sick and tired of people having kids and wanting everybody else to raise them.
As a previous blogger commented. AAFES was created for ACTIVE DUTY men and women. A lot of which are single, and yes single guys like to read Playboy, and single women like playgirl. Police your own kids!
AAFES has a pop-up (Check ID)that comes up on the cashier's register anytime a CD, Game or movie should not be sold to minors, as well as tobacco, and booze.
I know this because I have worked as a cashier for AAFES for 5 years here at the Barksdale Main Exchange. And We Card!
Just like any business AAFES has changed with the times and we realize military members marry and have families. I feel we have gone beyond the call of duty to provide for them. But our main mission is to go where and provide for the needs of our active duty men and women.
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