Should the Senate privatize military commissaries?

SPC Chad Kolod — Mon, 18 May 2015 13:24:38 -0400

Was just reading an article where the Senate is piloting a plan next year by privatizing at least 5 separate commissaries. If it succeeds they may do more. What are your thoughts? Is this a good/bad move? Benefits? Downsides? If love to hear what everyone thinks. Original article link below.

http://m.military.com/daily-news/2015/05/15/senate-pilot-project-would-privatize-some-commissaries.html

Response by SPC Chad Kolod made May 18 at 2015 1:26 PM

SPC Chad Kolod — Mon, 18 May 2015 13:26:12 -0400

I always liked the atmosphere in the commissary and the volunteers that worked there. Not sure how I feel.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made May 18 at 2015 1:33 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Mon, 18 May 2015 13:33:31 -0400

The commissaries may not be standardized which is how the whole military system works. The quality of service and products may go up or down depending on the region. I'm against.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 18 at 2015 1:50 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Mon, 18 May 2015 13:50:00 -0400

The deals in the commissary are on specific items. Our younger troops will notice it specifically on things like baby formula, milk, etc. Our "older" folks just aren't going to see the same cost savings, because they don't buy the same items.

If we are going to shut down anything, it really should be the Exchanges. They are an older model of retail establishment, which just doesn't compare to what currently exists.

Response by SGT David T. made May 18 at 2015 1:52 PM

SGT David T. — Mon, 18 May 2015 13:52:08 -0400

Considering that the average Store Worker makes between $10 and $19 an hour there I would say there needs to be a change. I would authorize them to actually try and be self sustaining and to turn a profit which they are currently prohibited from doing. I do not think that privatizing is the answer here. The commissary needs to be competitive with the outlets on the economy.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 2:01 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 14:01:04 -0400

Give DECA to AAFES. Not only will this get rid of the massive tax bill the gov pays for them, but they will generate funds for MWR. Tax free isnt really tax free just because they call it a fee. DECA is a waste of tax payers money.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made May 18 at 2015 2:17 PM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Mon, 18 May 2015 14:17:11 -0400

Privatizing is definitely better than shutting it down, and may even lower costs below current prices, if the "Walmart Commissary" doesn't have to pay property mortgage or taxes or electrical bills. They will hire new folks and pay minimum wage, so their personnel costs will be less than DeCA. If the lawyers and program managers write a good RFP, it could be a win-win, unless you're a DeCA employee. Government run is almost always more expensive than private, so it will likely work.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 2:17 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 14:17:39 -0400

I'm not sure how it will affect it in the grand scheme of things. "Privatizing" is not the same as subjecting it to market forces, as I presume they will still be subsidized and be subject to extra conditions (like any contractor). Personally I find a lot of things to be cheaper at Wal-Mart anyway, there are only a handful of items I can get cheaper at the commissary - like certain prepackaged Asian foods or other odd stuff that you can normally only find at specialty stores.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 2:24 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 14:24:50 -0400

I have seen what happened when base housing got privatized and using that as the basis for my answer: HELL NO!

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made May 18 at 2015 3:09 PM

Maj Chris Nelson — Mon, 18 May 2015 15:09:04 -0400

This is my own personal opinion... Overseas and remote CONUS bases, keep Commissary. Everyone else....well personally, I have not seen that much of a savings in commissary prices. The other aspect that I see is that the Department of Defense is trying to manage shipments of lettuce, cabbage, and baked beans.... along with chips, dips, and all other stuff groceries.... If I was king of the world, I would probably try to find an already existing organization (Wal-Mart, HEB Groceries, Kroger, etc) to make a business deal that they will sell to the military beneficiaries at a specific rate upon verification of said benefits (ID Card). They already have sources, distribution lines, etc.

For those that say that the Commissary doesn't charge taxes, please explain to me what the 5% sur-charge is??!! (smells like a tax to me!).