Amazon Prime for Veterans: Don't Bother!

WARNING: The "Amazon Prime for Veterans" program is an absolute joke.

You DO NOT get Prime at a reduced rate ($79 v. $129). Instead, you get to pay for NEXT YEAR'S Prime fee now (e.g. an interest-free loan to Amazon).

First, the registration portal told me I was "not eligible." (I guess 21 years total active and reserve US Army service didn't make the cut?).

So I wrote Amazon "customer service" (ACS). With no explanation I was declared "eligible" (no documents, no proof -- just "OK, you're signed up.")

Fine. I went through the order process and received confirmation. The next day I see two charges for "Amazon Prime Membership" on my bank account. One for $129 (the regular Prime fee now) and an additional $79 (the so-called "discount").

I wrote to ACS: "I do not want to pay for Prime twice."

Amazon Customer Service (ACS) response: "You get to pay for this year and you have a discount for next year."

I replied: "I don't want a discount next year."

ACS response: "But you have a discount next year."

I replied: "I don't want to spend a discounted excessive amount."

ACS response: "It's nonrefundable. But if you cancel the discounted extension, you cancel Prime."

After 4 cycles of this stupidity, I've reached two conclusions:
1. Amazon "customer service" is now merely feeble-minded bots.
2. It's time to move my online shopping experience elsewhere.