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?

SSgt David Norcutt I'll challenge you on the assertion that Walmart,et al, provide a cheaper source of goods. Just the other day I spent several hours with a shopping list from H377 on what our household needed. I visited all the local (within 45 miles) stores with this list, taking notes, pictures, etc to make a complete and thorough comparison. Getting up early the very next day, I traveled 43 miles to the commissary and exchange - again, comparing apples to apples and oranges to oranges. With 2 exceptions of a list with over 188 individual items in it, the commissary provided the best price BEFORE I attempted to use my many coupons. The BX however, did not do quite as well, with a saving of only 18% compared to the outside prices, again, BEFORE I used coupons.

All total, I saved $183.17 against the outside prices and adding another $54.10 in coupons.

Now, I don't expect that sort of savings every time I go to the base - but I'm not going to take the generic "everyone's" word that the outside prices beat the BX/Px and commissary every time.

PO1 George Medley I'm glad you did a price comparison and your results are impressive. It would be interesting to see your findings; the products you compared, price differences, bulk options, generic options etc. Now, I haven't shopped at a military installation since 1992, so I have no idea what commissary/BX prices are currently. However when I was serving I found that it depended on what I was buying. As a young state side E-4 with two kids, my wife and I found that it was cheaper to shop at the commissary for brand name products, meats and other items. But I could find generic items, bulk prices, better quality meats and better quality produce off the base. Overseas however it was the commissary for most everything. But that was 20 plus years ago. I know that my mom, a widowed spouse finds that walmart compares to the commissary depending on the product, but is more convenient for her to shop at.

That being said I guess I should have left the comparison to Walmart out of my response.

My point is that with more people allowed to shop at the commissary and BX/PX could/should in theory lower prices. Thus benefiting all but more importantly those that need it the most, the younger enlisted who are paid way to low and need all the help they can get. (that's another discussion)

I didn't intend my post to be the "word" it was intended to provoke thought about reducing prices for those that need it.

SSgt David Norcutt Well, I'll have to get permission to go public with our family list - my kitchen pass doesn't cover that area. But I can tell you that there are no bulk purchases involved and no generics - it's my understanding that under current regs the commissary cannot offer off brands / generics. The exchange however, has several items that are offered known as "NEx" brands or something like that. I found those items to be similiar in pricing to the "value brands" that Walmart has for their off brand items. What I did note is that there are a lot fewer of these "nex" brand when compared to a like item in Walmart.

Part of my comparison was to go to Costco and Sam's also - those have some serious bulk pricing and can make a huge difference - if you are looking for those items.

You are correct - pricing depends on sales, brand and especially, timing.

you bet

NO I'D maybe

Working at the FE Warren commissary I can say that price variation depends on the product or that company's strategy to get people through the door (making bread and milk cheaper so you pay a little higher on cereal and jelly). Just like local grocers some products are higher and some are lower. They also fluctuate from week to week. I doubt that numbers would really show a dynamic change.

good example how bout this idea using your idea of 4 what about 4 times a month or a year?

Having been in the Reserves back in the day when we had to use our "commissary cards" (literally punchcards that were good for 24 visits and had to be be physically marked each visit), NO to the X times per period.

Regardless of allowing non-retired former service members to use the commissary or not, using a "rationing" system both discourages use at the same time, it creates administrative headaches (and reports to congress!!!) for the AAFES organization.

Separately, I would say no to access as well, as both are subsidized non-profit activities that are explicitly intended for those currently serving or honorably retired. Moreover, cuts are being considered to both services as they have trouble breaking even, even with current subsidy. My simple rule would be DOD ID Card = Access.