AAFES money order service scheduled to end May 31 Published May 21, 2009 By By Tech. Sgt. Ray Bowden 21st Space Wing Public Affairs PETERSON, -- PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE Colo.--Peterson's Base Exchange will join all other Army Air Force Exchange Service outlets at the close of business May 31 when it cancels its money order services. According to Steve Collier, Peterson main store manager, the change is due to Department of Defense regulations and the growing unpopularity of money orders used as a means of payment. Strict DoD financial management regulations and federal money laundering rules forbid "base organizations" from selling money orders when banking offices are available on base. "When there is a financial institution on base, DoD regulations state that the banks on base or other similar institutions will provide the service," Mr. Collier said. "And, we live in an electronic age - people just don't use money orders as much as they used to." In a recent new AAEFES new release, Lt. Col. William Thurmond, AAFES' chief of corporate communications said that banks, credit unions and post offices on base will meet the need for financial services such as money orders, allowing AAFES 107 main stores and 136 "specialty stores" to focus on meeting customer's retail needs.