Posted on Jun 6, 2014
Does anyone think that Veterans (ones that served 4-15 years) that did not retire should have access to the PX Commissary and have support?
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My response, at the end of the day, is "No". Retirees serve 20 years (usually) to earn those lifetime benefits. If we start giving them out to everyone, it would have a drastically negative impact on overall retention. Keep the benefits for retirees only, you gotta get all the tickets to earn this ride!
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SGT Marvin "Dave" Bigham
SGT James Pefley, income goes to civilian employees, contractors, utilities, merchandise selection, property upkeep, effective management of the operation... even sales "at cost", there is revenue to be made AND it can be a bonus to the social lives of vet and active military families.
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SGT Marvin "Dave" Bigham
Respectfully, SFC Smith, you forget the economic value of competition. After twenty years in the hotel industry, I have seen many "similar" businesses open just far enough away from the established firms (hotels, drug stores, groceries, gas, etc.) to draw away some traffic. The old ones will raise their game or fail and we need to see this in the markets around our military bases. Too many spouses and military kids don't experience the US economy before their SM leaves the service and have difficulty dealing with it. The revenue stream generally increases in both regions of the market due to new business modelling and the PX/Commissary system really should get some tweaking. Adding vets may not be the answer, but something should happen.
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SSG (ret) William Martin
If a veteran who is not retired in any sort of way (20 years plus or medical) wants PX and commissary support, they should join the NG or the reserves.
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SGT Marvin "Dave" Bigham
SFC Chris Smith I can see you're of a different opinion and I am fine with your "respectful" response and assumptions about my thoughts of your intellect. (BTW, you are incorrect.) Competition exists if you see it or not. Look at the number of posts stating they can normally buy off-post at a cheaper rate. Even your brother can tell you that there are some markets where a store may operate at or below their cost line due to the firm's marketing plans. I am sure you meant to put a "sting" in your response and it appears you felt insulted by my prior statement about competition. I apologize for any disrespect you read in my post, none was intended.
There are many business models for stores that compete for the SM business and they certainly see the PX/Commissary system as a competitor just as my industry sees temporary military housing as a target for more business. I assure you that in SOME markets I can find you hotels that consistently get the business available from a military post. (BTW- a house does not incur the overhead a hotel does.) While the PX/Commissary system certainly has different rules (as hotels and houses do), they will still respond to an increase of business that vets could bring (assuming we would go to them).
There are many business models for stores that compete for the SM business and they certainly see the PX/Commissary system as a competitor just as my industry sees temporary military housing as a target for more business. I assure you that in SOME markets I can find you hotels that consistently get the business available from a military post. (BTW- a house does not incur the overhead a hotel does.) While the PX/Commissary system certainly has different rules (as hotels and houses do), they will still respond to an increase of business that vets could bring (assuming we would go to them).
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I would say yes with a caveat that one must have honorably served for over 10 years. I believe that if you put at least 10 years of your life into something that you should be able to get something in perpetuity for it.
With that said SFC Smith makes a valid point. The subsidy provided by the px and commissary is designed to help current Soldiers and Retirees. The influx of former Soldiers could significantly impact this subsidy. My suggestion would be a pay for privileges system where the former Soldiers that want the privileges can pay a set fee every year for them. I'm thinking like a Sam's Club or Costco style system.
With that said SFC Smith makes a valid point. The subsidy provided by the px and commissary is designed to help current Soldiers and Retirees. The influx of former Soldiers could significantly impact this subsidy. My suggestion would be a pay for privileges system where the former Soldiers that want the privileges can pay a set fee every year for them. I'm thinking like a Sam's Club or Costco style system.
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COL Vincent Stoneking
SPC(P) Cecil,
This is an interesting concept. I could see where this could work.
This is an interesting concept. I could see where this could work.
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I think any veteran that served their country during a wartime conflict deserves full benefits. Nothing against a 20 year vet who served without seeing any conflict. Don't get me wrong, I have much respect for all vets. BUT, a 20 year vet with no conflict time vs. a vet with any conflict time and the latter not being able to get those benefits to me is wrong. Think about that way and let me know if you think differently.
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I would have to do more research to see where this idea would lead. The idea has merit, especially when you consider the numbers. Less than 1% of our nation serves in the military, so, saying our numbers would skew a large metropolis and it's shopping options - I'm not so sure. Providing unlimited access for those who have not committed 20+ years to service in our country would be prohibitively expensive for commands where that command is the only military organization available - and no command has the budget to deal with the potential influx of shoppers, etc, especially when it comes to security.
I do know that there is a limited access to some of the products offered by the military exchanges through what is called the VA Canteen Program. If you have access to the VA Healthcare then I'm assuming you might have access to that program. While it doesn't give you access to the Commissary / PX / BX, etc - it's something to look at. Additionally, every VA Hospital I've been to has offered a canteen, a shopette, a barbershop, flowershop and some have specialty shops; again all offered through the VA Canteen Service.
It may be an odd idea - but, if we can't get our Veterans access to the bases - why not get more offered at the VA Hospitals or Clinics or the VA Canteen? Afterall, the VA is there for us, right? Maybe we should ask our Congress types to pony up the money to improve what's offered in the VA Canteen?
I do know that there is a limited access to some of the products offered by the military exchanges through what is called the VA Canteen Program. If you have access to the VA Healthcare then I'm assuming you might have access to that program. While it doesn't give you access to the Commissary / PX / BX, etc - it's something to look at. Additionally, every VA Hospital I've been to has offered a canteen, a shopette, a barbershop, flowershop and some have specialty shops; again all offered through the VA Canteen Service.
It may be an odd idea - but, if we can't get our Veterans access to the bases - why not get more offered at the VA Hospitals or Clinics or the VA Canteen? Afterall, the VA is there for us, right? Maybe we should ask our Congress types to pony up the money to improve what's offered in the VA Canteen?
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PFC Jason Rodrigues
EXCELLENT ideas PO1 George Medley! I think that in conjunction with a pay for privilege access to the PX/BX/Commissary would be wonderful options to implement.
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Hmmmm....what about me? 17 years - 4 active 13 reserves.
EX wife told me to get out or get divorced....made the mistake of getting out
:-(
EX wife told me to get out or get divorced....made the mistake of getting out
:-(
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SSG Matt Murphy
Thanks for the offer....correct me if I'm wrong, I don't think I am entitled to anything...so half of nothing is still ...... nothing.... :-(
Does more than 10 years entitle me to anything other than my Honorable Discharge?
Does more than 10 years entitle me to anything other than my Honorable Discharge?
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I have always thought, even when I was still active duty, that as long as you have an honourable discharge then LIMITED base privileges should be granted. Anything that generates income without taking essential goods or services from active duty first, then retired to me is and always has been a good idea. I don't think commissary access should be granted, I don't thing ANY base service like legal etc. should be available. I'm not sure about MWR, maybe on a case by case basis. Basically, anything that generates income without causing hardship to active duty should be a good thing. And, for me it most likely wouldn't matter if limited access was given. I live to far from any base to be worth the drive so even if I could I wouldn't use the benefit. And to a previous point, I doubt very seriously there would be a sudden flood of vets on any base, like me most live to far from a base to be worth it. It would just be nice that if near a base I knew I had the option to make a purchase.
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For me, the answer depends on a few variables like whether or not PX and Commissaries are economically self-sustaining (My understanding is that they are with profits going to MWR programs), and whether or not it would cause shortages among those that they have historically served- ie: currently serving and retirees.
If it can pass those two tests, I don't really see a reason not to do it. If it can't, there really isn't an argument to do it.
If it can pass those two tests, I don't really see a reason not to do it. If it can't, there really isn't an argument to do it.
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