Plan to shut military supermarkets shows difficulty of cutting defense spending

[BMT (RIP)]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/...y.html?hpid=z1


BMT

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by BMT

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/...y.html?hpid=z1


BMT

Why are they always going after the commissary benefit?

I thought the surcharge covered most of the construction expenses, and the rest was no more than a rounding error in the budget.

TR

[alelks]

What amazes me is that the PX system as a whole from what I've seen has just turned into a business for someone, not sure who though. Years ago really good deals could be found. Heck I went a few years ago to the PX and there was actually a sign on a rack of shirts stating that you saved 50 cents off retail when you bought it there rather than off post. Granted you don't pay taxes but the deals just aren't like they use to be. Someones decided along the way that they wanted to make a nice profit instead of helping our the soldiers.

[miclo18d]

Originally Posted by alelks

What amazes me is that the PX system as a whole from what I've seen has just turned into a business for someone, not sure who though. Years ago really good deals could be found. Heck I went a few years ago to the PX and there was actually a sign on a rack of shirts stating that you saved 50 cents off retail when you bought it there rather than off post. Granted you don't pay taxes but the deals just aren't like they use to be. Someones decided along the way that they wanted to make a nice profit instead of helping our the soldiers.

When I lived on Ft Bragg I lived right next to the PX management building and there was a woman that drove a yellow Porche that worked there. I mean there are plenty of ways that she could acquire a Porche but I mean....

When I was a kid on Ft Leavenworth the Commissary was in an old warehouse, no frills, everything still in big boxes and on metal shelves. Extrapolate what the Commissaries look like today and you can see why the saving are no better than Wallyworld.

[alelks]

Instead of giving hundreds of millions to the Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) fund they should just lower prices. Not every solders uses MWR but EVERY solder needs to save a buck.

[FlagDayNCO]

When I was in the "Real Army", the PX and Commissary were a true benefit, based on the pricing and goods available. As the Army went through reductions and other non-sense cost savings -never saving any money, the PX became a target.

My Great Aunt retired as a DA Civilian working as a high ranking person within the Army Reserve and she put me onto something.

The decision making staff at AAFES were all the spouses of COL and General Officer types, so they tended to make decisions based on their ability to purchase. The spouse of an O-6 can pay more than PVT Joe Snuffy.

Somewhat related is the thread on General Officer perks, as the PX system was replacing good buys with higher priced and high-end items. Does PVT Joe Snuffy really intend to buy $80.00 after shave? The market that AAFES was catering to was changing, but the customer base remained the same.

In addition, I recall AAFES being mandated to raise prices, as politicians were claiming AAFES had an unfair advantage against the local stores outside the Main Gate. Now, what was being touted as local Mom & Pop stores was said to be an effort by WalMart to gain more of the market share. Recall that She-Clinton was a major WalMart investor.

This was a big deal in New Jersey, as AAFES did not pay the extortion-like taxes that WalMart and other stores paid outside of the bases.

[Streck-Fu]

The decision making staff at AAFES were all the spouses of COL and General Officer types, so they tended to make decisions based on their ability to purchase.

That makes sense. I can see that happening....

Regardless of the reason, I remember Commisaries and NEXs becoming much nicer with newly built structures throughout the 90s. They became to look more like shopping malls.

[The Reaper]

If the AAFES Gas Stations and Military Clothing Sales Stores are any example, if AAFES or NEX takes them over, the commissaries will no longer be any cheaper than shopping off post. Probably even more expensive.

Just another way to screw the troops.

Can't wait to see the Army we have left next time we have to go to war.

TR

[RTK]

Originally Posted by FlagDayNCO

The decision making staff at AAFES were all the spouses of COL and General Officer types, so they tended to make decisions based on their ability to purchase. The spouse of an O-6 can pay more than PVT Joe Snuffy.

Somewhat related is the thread on General Officer perks, as the PX system was replacing good buys with higher priced and high-end items. Does PVT Joe Snuffy really intend to buy $80.00 after shave? The market that AAFES was catering to was changing, but the customer base remained the same.

Concur, and therein lies the problem.

Had a discussion with a retired GO two days ago who advocated for shutting down the DECA led commissaries because of comparable services rendered outside the gate. I made the point that the services weren't necessarily for him or his family but for the 18 year old and his spouse who never left rural Arkansas before OSUT and somehow managed to find themselves six months later in Korea. It provides a source of comfort and familiarity to scared stiff kids as well as providing (or, at least, intending to provide) a bargain on common goods. He admitted to having never thought of that angle before, which was even more disconcerting to me than the original subject.

[bandaidbrand]

RTK,

According to this article, their plan does account for that issue.

He limited his focus to the 179 commissaries that are in the United States. He had no interest in closing grocery stores on overseas bases, where personnel do not always have access to private shops that sell low-priced American products.

Actually when I was stationed in Vilseck, most of the junior guys had to get rides over to Grafenwohr because there's no PX on Vilseck. It definitely was a microcosm for that exact issue (although there was still a commissary on Vilseck) for married guys that didn't have transportation yet.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by bandaidbrand

RTK,

According to this article, their plan does account for that issue......

You have to cut RTK some slack - he lives on a Fort with a 32 mile driveway.

[BryanK]

Originally Posted by Streck-Fu

That makes sense. I can see that happening....

Regardless of the reason, I remember Commisaries and NEXs becoming much nicer with newly built structures throughout the 90s. They became to look more like shopping malls.

The 2010's are no different apparently. I went to turn in some brass at Ft Meade yesterday, and the PX there is under construction. I hope they're rebuilding it as a combination shop (clothing sales/PX/commissary/bed & breakfast/barber shop/house of ill repute/marina/etc.) or something, because it is freaking huge! I've been to a fair amount of PX's throughout my time in service, but this new project must be a flagship set up of some sort. Weren't we supposed to be saving money?

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by Streck-Fu

That makes sense. I can see that happening....

Regardless of the reason, I remember Commisaries and NEXs becoming much nicer with newly built structures throughout the 90s. They became to look more like shopping malls.

And run by the female asian mafia.......

[MR2]

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

And run by the female asian mafia.......

You got that right.

[RTK]

Originally Posted by Pete

You have to cut RTK some slack - he lives on a Fort with a 32 mile driveway.

Longest cul de sac on earth.