It is no big secret that our nations economy and debt is steadily becoming a serious problem. As big government programs continue to kick off well into 2014 expenditures are sure to go up with it. Some citizens have expressed concern over the vast rising taxes that tend to come with rising expenditures of our government. So with the US government looking to save money for its tax paying citizens by utilizing sequestration and other methods it seems that the military/defense commissary system (DECA) is next on the chopping block.
As a public figure in Texas and amongst the military community, this author has to ask why would a staple of military benefits (the few that actually remain) even be considered for expulsion?
Reports from Fox News, CBS News, ABC News, CNN and many local sources state that current plans are to dissolve the commissaries located inside military bases located in the continental United States. Although reports are varied amongst the sources the fact is this is being seriously considered.
A good portion of the US military forces already do without these amenities as you will not typically find a commissary on a National Guard or Reserve installation however, that is not to say members of these branches do not travel to active installations to use them. The commissary is part of a shrinking list of military benefits that still remain for service members to cope with the "life" of a service member. Typically shopping at the commissary offers savings and discounts you would not otherwise see outside the base/post. Most importantly after interviewing many service members at bases all over Texas, Georgia and Florida the not having to pay taxes on food was something they enjoyed most.
When speaking with a retired veteran about the subject they had this to say,
"Young servicemembers and their families have a much higher dependency on the commissary than higher ranking members...the pay difference allows more outside shopping and it was my experience that Walmart, Sam's Club and Costco could and would normally be just as economical to shop at as the commissary...overseas living in base housing the commissary was almost a necessary facility, here in the States the prices aren't nearly as competitive with exception of a very few items almost eveything is as cheap or cheaper in the off base markets...even the Exchange is getting too expensive for any realistic shopping...clothing and electronics are a whole lot cheaper off base and the selection is much better...maybe the military should let Walmart set up on the installations like Burger King does.."
This veteran raises some very interesting points. This is also why my question is does anyone still shop at the commissary? Is this institution still valid in the days of Wal-Mart, Costco and the like?
In a time when our country needs to make cuts to save money and reduce spending can we as military members make further sacrifices for the betterment of the nation? Can we take another one for the team? It would not be the first time we have all made sacrifice for the nation and I'm sure it will not be the last.
What are your thoughts on the subject?
How will a decision to cut commissaries in the continental US affect you?
Should the bases privatize stores like the commissary or PX/BX with the local civilian counterparts and bring them on base much like Burger King does now?
I for one would not mind seeing a H-E-B, Jason's Deli or Fry's on my local post in Texas.
Commissary
Sequestration
Budget
PX/BX
Take one for the team, you will be doing that with the drop in Soldiers. Be prepared to do a lot more with a lot less. You in the NG/Reserves get ready to train at your homestation, in the 90's my unit had its fuel and ammo cut. It all went to Active Duty forces.
Commissaries, When I was a junior Officer and had my children I utilized the Commissary every drill. My kids were lactose intolerant and cans of formula were $1.00 to $1.50 cheaper at the Commissary.
At Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, at least for the Dix part, there is 1 Acme within a 25 minute drive. It has a so so selection of meat and produce. Losing the Commissary will hurt there.
This government will not check to see if people should be getting any type of entitlement. They spend money on green energy like crazy, getting very little back in return. The military being forced to buy electric/green cars at twice the price of a regular model. Have they stopped that program?
Letting Union members work 4 ten hour days, thinking you are saving money. Look at the Navy finding the kickbacks to high ranking officers. cut the waste/fraud/abuse/ before you cut things that effect the lives of families of the Soldiers.
Sir,
I could not agree with you more. In an effort to avoid a political debate on RallyPoint I will not go into the 437 programs I've identified that could be cut from federal and state spending budgets that would serve far more purpose than the removal of the commissaries from active military posts. Unfortunately (or fortunately) I am to young to remember the military days of the 90's but I have several generations of military in my own family to fall back on. Plus I remember the great draw down of the Clinton administration in New York State. There is hardly a base left up there.
Taking that away would hurt and just erode more of the want for people to make a career or even join.
Bet they would never cut the class six
I use the commissary also, it is on average about 30% cheaper then any of the grocery stores out there and about 10 to 15 percent cheaper than Costco and Sam's and the such.
I think it would be a travesty to take it away from the younger and lower ranking enlisted, they are already at the poverty level if they have a family and the wife is not working.
But really what choice do we have if they decide to cut it from the budget we have no say, at least anymore the military in general has no big corporation to speak for it, or any lobbyists, we use to have organizations behind our military but now they have grown weak, and don't hold the clout they use too.
I'm sure they could make them more cost affiant or ran better, but that would mean over hauling the system and updating it with newer better software if ran correctly it would not cost the government one cent and actually turn a profit. There are to many holes in it to run any better the way it is with out costing money for sure.
But if they privatize the commissary then there goes the whole purpose of it, and that is to save the military personnel money!
Yeah let the military and the veterans take another one for the team! They won't be happy until they destroy everything this country was founded on!!! Big Government that is! Just to give more to the non working blood suckers of society!
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