...did anyone else go, or watch it on AFN?

If so..what were your impressions?

Did anyone else think that the guy from AAFES looked like a moron in trying to explain -why- having a Star card proved that you were -authorized- to have an AFN satellite decoder? :) I have to admit that was one of my favorite moments! :)

Dee :)

I don't want a Star Card, but I want AFN...it sucks

The general said fix it. The question was kinda like "I have to have a star card to get a decoder" and AAFES answered " so we know your authorized to get one" The general said I have a I.D. card does that authorize me/it should. So we'll see.

It was funny, becasue they kept dancing around why they needed a star card.

__________________
CH-47 SI

They must find it difficult...

Those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than truth as the authority. --Gerald Massey

The General didn't seem at all happy with AAFES explanation, did he? :) LOL :)

To put it mildly, the guy representing AAFES didn't do a good job at representing his organization, did he? :)

Personally, I think the policy that you have to have a STAR card to get an AFN decoder is absurd! We have id's and orders to prove that we are military dependants...how is having a STAR card going to guarantee that you're "entitled to receive" an AFN signal any more than an ID card?

Quite frankly, if "entitlement to receive the AFN signal" is the issue, there's virtually no way to guarantee that someone isn't receiving the AFN signal with authorization. Even as it is, someone -with- a star card could put up a decoder at someone else's residence, just because, or someone could tap into a satellite cable,etc, without someone 's knowledge. There's no 100% way to guarantee that the signal is being received by someone who is authorized...and having an ID card would offer as much assurance as a Star card.

The only -real- reason I can think of to have someone wanting an AFN decoder to have a star card is because a star card theoretically assures payment. If a military member with a star card doesn't pay their bill, AAFES can effectively bring about disciplinary action... whereas a civilian credit card doesn't offer that same sort of recourse.

If that's the case,though, AAFES , in my opinion, should just come right out and -say- that that's the reason, not do the peepee dance and say that it's about "proving authorization".


Dee :)

You hit it on the head!

__________________
CH-47 SI

They must find it difficult...

Those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than truth as the authority. --Gerald Massey

The peepee dance! Oh Dee you crack me up.

Anyway, I find it completely absurd that I can't have a decoder. I don't want a Star Card, I have no need for a star card. It's the same thing with the club memberships. I don't want a credit check to be a club memeber. I don't want the credit card and I certainly don't want a commander seeing if we not approved. It's no one's business. I just want to pay my monthly bills (and I wish for it to include a decoder and a club membership) without a big ordeal! Is that to much to ask for?! Apparently it is.

I understand in other places like Europe of Japan the decoder is free. Why do you have to pay in Korea?

I could be wrong, but I was under the impression that AAFES had gone to charging for the decoder everywhere... when we first got ours, our service was $18 a month, then they dropped it down to $13 in December..it's been at $13 ever since.

I'd be interested in hearing from those stationed in Europe or Japan to find out if they -aren't- being charged.. I'd wager the General would really get some complaints then!

Dee

From what I have read you can buy the decoder in Europe, but in the Pacific you can only rent them, for the same lame excuse they give about why you need a star card, to make sure no one else is using it.

Okay... according to posts on afcrossroads.com from spouses who are currently receiving the AFN satellite in Europe, yes, they are requiring star cards in Europe to rent the AFN decoders, but you can go buy one off the shelves in the BX without the star card, and only cold hard cash.

I guess the "OPSEC issues" that make AAFES require the STAR card only apply when you're *renting* the decoder? :) Apparently those same "OPSEC concerns" fly out the window if you're buying the decoder flat out, since hey, anyone with a military id, and enough cash or another credit card can buy one!

Hmm..does anyone else see a bit of a problem with that logic ? :)

I find it highly ironic that the government can trust a man with a high enough security clearance with highly sensitive top secret classified information, but if that same man went to get a decoder without a STAR card, he'd be denied.

If AAFES is so worried about AFN commercials "tipping off" the enemy to "what's going on in the military" as I had an aafes rep tell me on that "official" site.. then why are those commercials being broadcast at all?

Take the so-called sensitive info off, and let those superspies out there steal
episodes of Barney and the Teletubbies...

Wait..does that defy the Geneva Convention for cruel and unusual punishment? :)

Dee :)

BTW, a side note for those of us who -do- have AFN satellite.. check www.myafn.net..there are apparently some adjustments we need to make to our decoders, or we'll lose all programming on April 25. From what I've seen it looks like a pretty painless point and click procedure..they just don't have instructions online for the model that we've got.