Posted on Nov 8, 2015
Should General Officer/CSM/CW5 reserved parking at Commissaries and Exchanges be repurposed for others?
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We've all seen the parking spots at the Commissary and Exchange that say "Reserved for General Officer/CSM/CW5." I'm writing a paper for class that seeks to change this tradition by repurposing priority parking spots for expectant mothers, families with small children, and/or time-limited parking. I think any of these would be a better use for priority parking spots, especially since there are very few General Officers/CSMs/CW5s shopping at the Commissary. Most of the time, these reserved spots sit empty while the rest of the population has to park further away. There are lots of pregnant spouses (and service members), as well as families with small children that could benefit from having closer parking. Additionally, these spots could be designated "10 Minute Parking Only", for people who only need a few things or just want to grab some lunch to go.
I know this isn't a hot topic by any means, but I had to write about something I saw that needed to be changed. This seemed as good as any.
Please take the time to vote on my survey and leave any constructive comments below. I will use the results in the development of my paper.
*Note: This is in no way intended to be disrespectful to anyone. It is merely an observation that contributed to a college assignment.
I know this isn't a hot topic by any means, but I had to write about something I saw that needed to be changed. This seemed as good as any.
Please take the time to vote on my survey and leave any constructive comments below. I will use the results in the development of my paper.
*Note: This is in no way intended to be disrespectful to anyone. It is merely an observation that contributed to a college assignment.
Posted in these groups: 
CommissaryThe Exchange
CommissaryThe Exchange
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 34
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I think PX and commissary lots should have spaces only for disabled, and expectant mothers. I would go along with having parking for the CO, XO command sergeant major and general officers at unit facilities where disabled don't frequent, (although keep a couple spaces for them, of course, for disabled civilians who work or need to visit)
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Your initial title should be changed to reflect less of your personal bias. It is not officer parking when it's reserved for CSMs or SGMs
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SPC Benjamin Smith
Thanks for your input. RallyPoint admin changed the title for me. There was no bias intended. My personal opinion is that all of these priority parking spaces should be repurposed, but I'm trying not to based this paper solely on my personal opinion. Do you mind sharing your thoughts on the subject?
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LTC Chad Uhl
I think they should stay. They were earned and the categories mentioned time is limited by their tremendous duties and responsibilities. I think traditional Army values are being eroded and do not like the sense of entitlement young Soldiers seem to come in with as a hold over from their parents and civil society. The Army has a rank structure and different benefits on purpose, things such as living space allowed, parking spots, and at some level a duty driver are for the efficiency of command and position. Don't take them away, Soldiers should see these benefits as GOALS, not unfairness.
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SFC (Join to see)
SPC Benjamin Smith
And yet another example why RP should not tamper with the wording of other people's posts. I imagine it comes down to the fact a site run by military personnel is obviously going to have control issues.
And yet another example why RP should not tamper with the wording of other people's posts. I imagine it comes down to the fact a site run by military personnel is obviously going to have control issues.
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I have seen all these parking spots except the 10 minute one and the small children one. Ft Stewarts PX has the mother's expecting and all the other ones you mentioned. But here on FT Gordon they just 're did the parking lot and I have not looked for the GO/commanding general, CSM, CW5 ect ect but we not have low emmisions parking now. I am voting to keep tradition because in have already seen the other stuff I have already mentioned. I hope this helps out.
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SPC Benjamin Smith
Thanks for voting! I failed to mention in my original post the addition of spots for Wounded Warriors and/or Gold Star families. I have seen these as well.
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TSgt Alex Benningfield
I would say expecting mothers, 20 minute parking and add a my spouse is deployed spot for those spouses with kids
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Could those spots be repurposed? Absolutely....but let’s let our senior men and women have something. Rank has it’s privileges but rank also has its problems.
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Just a small comment - I have never seen a spot reserved for CW5's. However, all the CW5's I've worked with could probably care less.
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Having been on more than a few bases in nearly 40 years as a dependent and active-duty I can tell you that those spaces are useful for the people who have them so they don't have to wait ninety-nine times out of a hundred if the CSM ends up in the PX he's there on a 2-second fly by on his way from another 15 hour day
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My BN Commanders always asked my why I got a parking spot at different locations on post and they only got one at the BN Headquarters. Fast forward to theater and the LTC is plus one to a CSM traveling on MIl air.
Most of the time it’s the Soldiers that don’t have a reserved spot that complain about it. Personally I haven’t parked in one for over 5 years. Most of the time they are filled by retired SGM/CSMs. There is a 3 stars spouse on the base that parks in her husbands spot at the PX but that is a totally different thread.
Most of the time it’s the Soldiers that don’t have a reserved spot that complain about it. Personally I haven’t parked in one for over 5 years. Most of the time they are filled by retired SGM/CSMs. There is a 3 stars spouse on the base that parks in her husbands spot at the PX but that is a totally different thread.
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I guess I am wondering what the motivation is behind this question. I am not one of the Persons affected so... I think any response to take them away is potentially for other than the reason the parking was reserved. RESPECT .. they have earned it. On the other hand, why would / should we TAKE AWAY THAT ' R E S P E C T" to give it to someone else... Do they DESERVE IT MORE? Not Many Answers That would motivate me to DISRESPECT THOSE THAT HAVE GIVEN SO MUCH AND EARNED EVERY BIT OF THEIR RECOGNITION!
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You do know that many Post's and civilian locations have "expectant mothers", "purple heart" recipients as well as the normal handicapped parking spaces.
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