Posted on Apr 30, 2015
What's the consensus on dependents using rank based reserved parking at exchanges/commissaries?
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What's the consensus on dependents using rank based reserved parking at exchanges/commissaries? I believe these spots are supposed to be used by the member to rapidly get in/out of a store and get back to work, not as a RHIP reward. To me, it smacks of dependents "wearing" their sponsor's rank.
Dependents
Commissary
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 341
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I agree, rank does not carry over to the spouse! Do we see husbands of pregnant wives parking in spaces designated only for pregnant women? I doubt it.
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PO2 Tj Taylor
CW5 Randall Hirsch - Though you may be a fine officer, the parking spot is for the title not the man who holds it. Take the pin from your collar and you will be parking in the cheap seats with the rest of us.
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LTC Robin Gronovius
No, you earned your rank by meeting certain performance, educational, and skill qualifications. By the time you attained the rank of CW5, there were others of your peers that may have not made it. Now you think she out ranks them? Walk up to all those CW4s and now tell them your wife outranks them; after all she earned the rank according to you.
If she worked and supported you while you went to college, does she get a degree with you? If you go to medical school, does she become a doctor when you do? Nope, you are wrong.
What if the spouse was also a service member? Perhaps she got a commission and is now a colonel. Does that give you the right to park in a spot reserved for O6?
If she worked and supported you while you went to college, does she get a degree with you? If you go to medical school, does she become a doctor when you do? Nope, you are wrong.
What if the spouse was also a service member? Perhaps she got a commission and is now a colonel. Does that give you the right to park in a spot reserved for O6?
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TSgt David Whitmore
SGT Dan Gray - Sir; I don't understand your response. Did you mean it to be directed at me? My wife and I both agree that a parking space designated for a person of particular military rank is only for the use of that military personnel; certainly not the spouses of those military members.
Much like we agree that spaces marked as Handicap-accessible are only to be used by those individuals that fit the category; they too are not for the use of family members if the handicapped individual is not with them or is not leaving the vehicle while in that parking space. Nor does it matter if that car is displaying the proper license plate or placard.
Much like we agree that spaces marked as Handicap-accessible are only to be used by those individuals that fit the category; they too are not for the use of family members if the handicapped individual is not with them or is not leaving the vehicle while in that parking space. Nor does it matter if that car is displaying the proper license plate or placard.
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Suspended Profile
SMSgt Tom Harmon - My wife is a handicapper with a placard. I only use the placard when i am driving her to the store or a doctor appointment. The rest of the time she keeps it in her purse. This is just as it should be.
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Maj Joseph Osborne
That has always been one of my pet peeves and I have had the opportunity, on more than one occasion, to "correct" a family member for using a reserved space. It was never well received, but that goes with the territory.
I used to always avoid parking in reserved spaces at the PX, etc., until one day, when in Germany, a group of officers from my office went to the PX Food Court to grab lunch. As I entered the PX parking lot, I bypassed the COL/0-6 reserved parking space and parked in an unmarked space. A Captain in the group asked why I had not parked in the reserved space and I responded that I did not agree with "special privileges" based on rank. He responded with the comment, "But sir, typically there are not enough parking spaces in the lot for everyone and I cannot park in that slot. By you not parking in the reserved slot, you are taking away a slot from me that I could park in, while leaving one you can park in, but I can't, vacant." That made perfect sense and I had never considered it that way before. Thereafter, I parked in the reserved slot. To my knowledge, my wife never did, but I can't swear that she has not.
In my opinion, the only reserved spaces should be for handicapped personnel and pregnant women.
You really want to get my rankles up? People without handicaps parking in handicapped spots, especially those with handicapped stickers on their vehicles belonging to another family member. (Yes, I know that some handicaps are not apparent by just looking at someone).
That has always been one of my pet peeves and I have had the opportunity, on more than one occasion, to "correct" a family member for using a reserved space. It was never well received, but that goes with the territory.
I used to always avoid parking in reserved spaces at the PX, etc., until one day, when in Germany, a group of officers from my office went to the PX Food Court to grab lunch. As I entered the PX parking lot, I bypassed the COL/0-6 reserved parking space and parked in an unmarked space. A Captain in the group asked why I had not parked in the reserved space and I responded that I did not agree with "special privileges" based on rank. He responded with the comment, "But sir, typically there are not enough parking spaces in the lot for everyone and I cannot park in that slot. By you not parking in the reserved slot, you are taking away a slot from me that I could park in, while leaving one you can park in, but I can't, vacant." That made perfect sense and I had never considered it that way before. Thereafter, I parked in the reserved slot. To my knowledge, my wife never did, but I can't swear that she has not.
In my opinion, the only reserved spaces should be for handicapped personnel and pregnant women.
You really want to get my rankles up? People without handicaps parking in handicapped spots, especially those with handicapped stickers on their vehicles belonging to another family member. (Yes, I know that some handicaps are not apparent by just looking at someone).
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CW4 Leonard White
Thank you for the information. I certainly understand that handicapped slots, fire lane, etc are full enforced by federal/and state law, it’s not question that it should be.
I also understand that if an individual continually violates the “rules” of a military base, of course, the post commander can “bar” them. My point is it’s not a legal matter, as in a violation of federal/state law. Thank you, Colonel, for taking the time to remind me, and everyone, that the military has ways to deal with anyone who comes on the bases. it’s been a few years since I’ve been retired so I’ve have forgotten some things. At least now I can answer this question if my retired friends bring it up.
I also understand that if an individual continually violates the “rules” of a military base, of course, the post commander can “bar” them. My point is it’s not a legal matter, as in a violation of federal/state law. Thank you, Colonel, for taking the time to remind me, and everyone, that the military has ways to deal with anyone who comes on the bases. it’s been a few years since I’ve been retired so I’ve have forgotten some things. At least now I can answer this question if my retired friends bring it up.
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COL Jean (John) F. B.
CW4 Leonard White - You are welcome... You are correct that parking in reserved "status" doors are not violations of federal or state laws, however, they are violations of post regulations and, as such, subject violators to administrative actions/sanctions, such as temporary or permanent bars from the installation. Violation of the bar letter, however, is a federal crime (trespassing on federal property) and will be prosecuted in Federal District Court. People entering a military reservation are required to follow all laws and regulations, to include those related to parking. Retirees or anybody else who think they are do not have to follow the rules of the installation are flirting with trouble. I have dealt with several situations like this and violators always lose. They do not have the luxury or right to pick and choose which post rules/regulations they will follow and which they will not with impunity. Several of the retirees I have dealt with concerning this issue would have been the ones complaining the loudest when on active duty, if someone had parked in "their" slots. :-)
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CAPT Michael Toleno
Would that people might understand that lesson earlier (that if you skip the space, you are not doing anyone any favors, despite the noble intent you think you have)! I've run across many folks who think that they are somehow being noble by bypassing a parking space they can use, thus taking another space away from the remainder of spots in the lot.
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SGT Joseph Miller
Personally I believe they should get rid of all reserved spaces on post except for handicap. I hated getting called out especially to our own barracks at ft shafter because of someone parking in the usarpac sgm or usarpac commanders spot or one of the many 1sgt or commanders spots that they took up half the barracks parking lot reserving and 9 times out of 10 it was a da police officer or an mp parked in it as the armsroom for law enforcement was in the same building and I'd have to explain to them that by law the only spot on a military base that can be enforced is a handicap spot and I would suggest calling their sgm or first sergeant and complaining as legally theres nothing I can do and as for the da police theres nothing I can do. They would be pissed but that's the law. That's how I feel about the reserved spaces at the PX or commissary for higher ranks, just park in them because by military regs and the law there really isnt anything that can be done, they cant be ticketed or towed. The best thing to do is park like everyone else and walk your behind in the store whatever your rank is as your in the army so you should be able to walk your behind from anywhere in the parking lot.
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My personnel opinion. "rank" based parking spaces (as opposed to position) should only be used by the member holding that rank and only in uniform. You are a retired Col? Awesome, and I salute you! Leave the space to the Full Birds still in uniform getting the job done so they can get back to work. Wing Commander/NAF Commander/MAJCOM Commander park in your placarded spot anytime.
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CMSgt (Join to see)
Jo Ostendorf -
Had a similar story when I was married to a British Army Officer. I attended Officers' Wives functions (very rarely). When I had a 2LT's wife give me wild attitude about "her rank", I said politely, "You have no rank. Your husband has rank, my husband has rank. *I* have rank. You are "Mrs"." (Sorry, all. She was incredibly beyotchy.) :)
Had a similar story when I was married to a British Army Officer. I attended Officers' Wives functions (very rarely). When I had a 2LT's wife give me wild attitude about "her rank", I said politely, "You have no rank. Your husband has rank, my husband has rank. *I* have rank. You are "Mrs"." (Sorry, all. She was incredibly beyotchy.) :)
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1LT Rich Voss
Jo Ostendorf - That brings back a lovely memory. The Officer's Wives Club was fully functional when I served in Germany. Their guest of honor at one luncheon was a female Israeli Army Major. Combat vet from the, let's call it "The Seven Days War", and it hadn't been over for all that long. The wife in charge of the event, let's say she was a CPTs wife, announced that "an award and gift was to be given to the senior officer present". My, oh my, was there a minor "tissy fit" when the prizes went to that Major. Thankfully, cooler heads of the OTHER COLs wives prevailed. I'm certain that the other servers and myself were just expected to "pretend that never happened". We did !
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Maj Pete Siegel
SGT Keri Domko - Now that's irritating but funny. My spouse knows my SSAN, but has troubles remembering hers
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CAPT Michael Toleno
My response would be the same as the O-6's response above: If you bypass a space that you are entitled to use, then you are taking away a space from the rest of the world who cannot use those spots. Your supposed act of nobility or humility has just hurt the very people that you suppose you were looking out for. If the spots are specifically intended for certain people, then they will (or should) be labeled specifically enough to designate whom they intend.
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