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Pentagon Proposes Plan to Gut Commissary's Budget
Military.com ^ | 22 January, 2014 | Amy Bushatz

Posted on 01/29/2014 1:11:25 PM PST by SZonian

The Defense Department is discussing a $1 billion cut over the next three years to the commissary’s budget in a move that could lead to a widespread closure of stores, Pentagon and industry officials said.

Word of the pending cut comes two months after news that the Pentagon’s top financial advisor ordered the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) to produce a plan to close most stateside commissaries should the need arise.

The commissary agency currently operates 247 stores worldwide. Under the requested closure plan, all but 24 rural stores stateside and stores located outside the continental U.S. would close.

(Excerpt) Read more at military.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Government; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: commissary; military; pentagon
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To: Always A Marine

I have been there, in the military, and I believe this number is accurate, if not a bit conservative. And that was 50 years ago when a dollar was worth something. On the meager pay of a PFC, later Corporal, the commissary made a BIG difference.


21 posted on 01/29/2014 5:33:01 PM PST by GGpaX4DumpedTea (I am a Tea Party descendant...steeped in the Constitutional Republic given to us by the Founders)
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To: blueyon; KitJ; T Minus Four; xzins; CMS; The Sailor; ab01; txradioguy; Jet Jaguar; Defender2; ...

Active Duty/Retiree ping.


22 posted on 01/29/2014 5:56:29 PM PST by Jet Jaguar
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To: Always A Marine
What else would you expect to hear from a study conducted by a government agency that is facing the chopping block?

It's always been that way, particularly in higher cost areas. Not just now.

The reason why this is the case is because the operating expenses (other than the cost of the food) are paid for by appropriated funds (i.e., tax dollars)

23 posted on 01/29/2014 6:03:09 PM PST by markomalley (Nothing emboldens the wicked so greatly as the lack of courage on the part of the good -- Leo XIII)
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To: SZonian
Still trying to screw the servicemember, their families and military retirees...closing over 90% of the stores worldwide.

The commissaries were essential to me as a junior enlisted. Now as a retiree, they are a definite "nice to have," but not essential.

Seriously, though, I think that having an on-post grocery store is essential for the troops. Particularly considering that a lot of posts are not located in major metropolitan areas where there are a lot of choices out there for grocery shopping.

There is ZERO reason, though, why they couldn't be outsourced and operated at zero cost to the taxpayer while still giving a really good value to the troops. With nationwide buying power, they could negotiate good prices from manufacturers and sell the food at cost, having the competitors bid on a flat rate surcharge to cover the operating expenses (salaries, logistics, utilities, and maintenance on the buildings).

24 posted on 01/29/2014 6:08:39 PM PST by markomalley (Nothing emboldens the wicked so greatly as the lack of courage on the part of the good -- Leo XIII)
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To: markomalley
There is ZERO reason, though, why they couldn't be outsourced and operated at zero cost to the taxpayer while still giving a really good value to the troops. With nationwide buying power, they could negotiate good prices from manufacturers and sell the food at cost, having the competitors bid on a flat rate surcharge to cover the operating expenses (salaries, logistics, utilities, and maintenance on the buildings).

Bingo! Walmart could provide the same service with its existing logistics system at zero cost to taxpayers. Privatization already works with on-base restaurant franchises, and it would work with groceries and other items. The only thing threatened is the boondoggle of unnecessary government jobs in an antiquated, parallel system.

Besides, today's military is not poverty ridden; our members are actually quite well paid compared to both "the old days" and today's civilian job market. Beyond the base pay rates, which range from modest to decent to quite comfortable depending upon one's rank and time in service, there are significant non-taxable allowances for food and housing - the latter of which is even adjusted for duty in high cost locations.

25 posted on 01/29/2014 6:50:40 PM PST by Always A Marine
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To: Always A Marine

winnah winnah chicken dinnah!

Give it to Walmart, let them skip the taxes and the bagger “tips”, and the price will be about the same.

Bonus will be that the fruit and veggies will last more than one day after you bring them home!


26 posted on 01/29/2014 8:03:48 PM PST by redlegplanner ( No Representation without Taxation)
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To: Always A Marine
Bingo! Walmart could provide the same service with its existing logistics system at zero cost to taxpayers. Privatization already works with on-base restaurant franchises, and it would work with groceries and other items. The only thing threatened is the boondoggle of unnecessary government jobs in an antiquated, parallel system.

To the best of my knowledge, in the states, vendors already deliver to the store and stock the shelves (at least the people I see doing so when I shop there wear "vendor" name tags). The only exception to that is the meat and produce departments...where Commissary employees stock the shelves (but I assume the vendors stock the coolers)

Frankly, I'd rather see a retailer like Wally World take over the PX function than the Commissary.

There are plenty of grocers who could take on the Commissary function.

Besides, today's military is not poverty ridden; our members are actually quite well paid compared to both "the old days" and today's civilian job market. Beyond the base pay rates, which range from modest to decent to quite comfortable depending upon one's rank and time in service, there are significant non-taxable allowances for food and housing - the latter of which is even adjusted for duty in high cost locations.

When I returned to the States (Andrews) from Italy (Aviano), I noticed that the cost of living was actually higher at Andrews than it was in Aviano, though I, as an E-7, got a COLA of almost $400 a month in Aviano (and, of course, being Stateside, there was no COLA at Andrews -- even though civilians get a 22% locality differential on their pay). It would have been considerably more difficult on my family if we'd have had to shop at Giant or Safeway, because the price of groceries was (and is) so un-flippingly unbelievable at those stores.

As for the troops being well compensated, again, that depends upon their rate/AFSC/MOS. Yes, an admin specialist may make as much or more wearing a uniform as compared to wearing a business suit, but the more technical folks? Really? I can't say in general whether that is true or not, but again, when I retired as an E-7, my paycheck went up 150% the very day that I hung my uniform up and put on a suit. (And, yes, that takes into account BAH for the DC area and BAS as well as the tax advantage for BAH and BAS not being taxed). Now, obviously, if the E-9 who runs the Dental Clinic transitions into being a dental hygienist as a civilian, they would take a pay cut...but if you do an honest comparison of the full spectrum of responsibilities between the military and civilian life, NCO and SNCO military folks are not what I'd call over-paid.

27 posted on 01/30/2014 2:34:44 AM PST by markomalley (Nothing emboldens the wicked so greatly as the lack of courage on the part of the good -- Leo XIII)
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To: markomalley; Always A Marine
"There is ZERO reason, though, why they couldn't be outsourced and operated at zero cost to the taxpayer while still giving a really good value to the troops."

I don't disagree...however, the article states that 90% will be CLOSED...not realigned, not outsourced, CLOSED.

I know that as a Jr. Enlisted I couldn't have made it without the commissary...

As a retiree as well, yes, the commissary is nice to have and we patronize ours as much as possible because foot traffic and sales help determine which stores remain open...

Some folks here seem to have a real bug up their ass about the commissary and I'm not getting that their responses are rational or logical...they're militant in that they want the stores eliminated.

The point to me is that again, the military is being forced to endure the pain before or for that matter, alongside any of the slugs who feed at the troughs...$2B for 0bamaphones per year, but it's the commissaries and retiree COLAs that need to be cut in order to save a billion or so per year.

Give me damned freakin' break already...so tired of the lying, inane and downright stupid bs being flung around FR and other venues that I could knock the head off the next dumbass who says the military needs to endure the pain as well...as well my ass, the military are the ONLY ones being told to endure the pain.

28 posted on 01/30/2014 7:51:39 AM PST by SZonian (Throwing our allegiances to political parties in the long run gave away our liberty.)
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To: SZonian; markomalley
I don't believe that military members are overpaid, but they are compensated much better than in our old days, and they are not threatened with poverty. It is voluntary military service, after all, so parity is not a requirement - especially since military retirement is excellent and leaves plenty of working years to accrue additional retirement savings in a second career. (And to be fair, let's not assume that federally-funded contractor jobs are typical of the actual civilian market.)

Since the greatest concern should always focus on the lowest-paid junior enlisteds, let's look at the pay of a Lance Corporal (E-3, equivalent to PFC, SN and A1C) at Camp Lejeune, NC with only 2 years in service... His base pay is $1,919 per month, or $23,028 per year. His tax-free Basic Allowance for Subsistence (food) is $352 per month, or $4,224 per year. He may live rent-free in government quarters with utilities provided. If he lives off base and is single, he receives a tax-free Basic Allowance for Housing of $11,016 per year ($918 monthly); if married, his tax-free BAH is $14,472 per year ($1,206 monthly). In the real world this is excellent pay for someone only two years out of high school.

As for SZonian's point that 90% of the commissaries will be closed and not realigned... Good! There's no reason that Exchange stores can't sell groceries -- but I'd privatize both functions, just as we've done successfully with on-base fast food restaurants. Short of fighting wars, enforcing and adjudicating laws and a very few other few legitimate functions, there is NOTHING that private, competitive industry can't do better, more efficiently and at a lower cost than government. It is time to privatize the Exchanges and Commissaries!

29 posted on 01/30/2014 9:41:50 AM PST by Always A Marine
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To: Always A Marine

The rate of inflation over the years since we separated or retired is what? Just how does one compare my basic pay of ~$600 per month in 1983 to today’s? Was I compensated much better than those who preceded me?

AAFES is a for profit venture...the prices will neccessarily go up as they are obligated to return a certain percentage of their proceeds back to the installations.

As for the pay and allowances, you’re making alot of assumptions...many of those allowances only come into play if the servicemember qualifies for them, they are not automatic.

Edwards AFB closed their dining hall a few years ago and started paying all the single enlisted in the dorms BAS...few choices available, but the commissary offered them the chance and choices they didn’t have through the fast food joints and AAFES to prepare healthy meals. Then there’s the distance from ED to Rosamond or Lancaster to purchase groceries...another point that is DELIBERATELY ignored...

If the claims of DeCA are accurate, notwithstanding the personal motive to disclaim them, that the average savings is ~ 30%. Another posited that I endorsed government inefficiency because of my support for DeCA and when I challenged him to support his assertion, crickets. No honor, no truth.

You are sliding down that slippery slope as well since you have failed to offer ANY proof that DeCA is inefficient. Yet, you keep claiming that private industry can do DeCA’s job better.

How do you know?

The intangibles of the DeCA system are part and parcel of the overall initiatives and benefits to lure young men and women to serve...it is but a pittance in the spending and yet, through your constant ignoring of my previous points, we need to cut the military first and above all the other “entitlement” spending to the leeches and dregs of society.

Based on that, I think I can draw a reasonable conclusion on where you stand...

Post away, you get the last word...I won’t bother wasting my time anymore.


30 posted on 01/30/2014 11:08:31 AM PST by SZonian (Throwing our allegiances to political parties in the long run gave away our liberty.)
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