Posted on May 30, 2014
MSG Martin C.
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I have a question that has being burning on my head for a while. While walking in to the commissary at JBAB there is six parking spots for Colonels (06), six for Generals, two for E9, one for Gold star family member but a whooping zero for expecting mothers or mothers with small children.
My question being the following. Is there ever a time in where twelve higher ranking officers are doing their grocery shopping at the same time? Is this an over kill? and are the parking spots for the officer himself or the spouse which in most cases is the one doing the shopping?
Posted in these groups: Officers logo OfficersDeca logo Commissary
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Responses: 20
Col Squadron Commander
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Overkill for sure. I think there definitely should be spots for expectant mothers and mothers with small children. And I think you are spot on about spouses doing a majority of the shopping.
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MSG Wade Huffman
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I agree. In all my years, all over the world, I have only seen a GO in the exchange or commissary ONE TIME. And then his staff car was in the FIRE LANE with the driver waiting on him. Guess the designated GO spots are still too far away!!
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PO1 Disaster Survivor Assistance Specialist
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Edited 10 y ago
Whoa! Serious question here! Ok...let's look at the realities here - the parking ain't for the active duty O-6 and above or the active duty E-9's. Let's get real, it's for their wives! In 23 years of service and about 15 years of retirement I've never, ever seen a General / Admiral actually drive his/her car and utilize their coveted parking space - but I've seen gazillions of their spouses utilize that spot and do so with vigor! Then of course, there are the retired O-6+ and E-9's that think they still deserve those spots - cuz they're retired and earned that privilege!

Key word: privilege.

In my book - the O-6+ / E-9 parking privileges should go out the door with the trash and be replaced with Handicapped / Baby-on-the-way spots. However, I am certain that some E-9 or O-6+ is gonna pipe up with how much more important their mission is and that it's vital for them to get front row seats at the Commissary/Exchange/medical facilities because they only have a few moments before they have to be at their next super-duper important meeting.

HOGWASH!!

Trust me...if these folks are all that important - the commissary/ exchange/ medical facility will come to them. Since I don't see that happening in most cases on most bases - then there's really no need for those spots to be reserved. The reserved spots are simply a throw-back to the British / Colonial days of yore. Last I heard - we, the American Rabble, tossed the British out the door - with the trash. I'm thinking this type of deference to rank needs to go too.
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PO2 Jared Thomas
PO2 Jared Thomas
10 y
Baby on the way spots and handicapped. Those should be the only ones that get front row to anything. No offense to the E-9's & O-6's but some things are just more important than trying to prove who has a bigger set.
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PO2 Maurice Fields
PO2 Maurice Fields
10 y
Those spots should go away. Yes, being a military spouse is important but spouses should not "wear" the rank. They can walk like the rest of us and a little humility goes a long way in the way of respect.
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