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.
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!
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.