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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDoD seeks plan to shut all U.S. commissaries
http://www.armytimes.com/article/20131121/BENEFITS07/311210046/DoD-seeks-plan-shut-all-U-S-commissariesDefense officials have reportedly asked the Defense Commissary Agency to develop a plan to close all U.S. commissaries about three-fourths of its stores, according to a resale community source familiar with details of a meeting with representatives of the Joint Staff and Pentagon comptrollers office.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the meeting was held within the last few weeks and was part of preparations for the fiscal 2015 DoD budget request that is due out on February.
Still, the fact that defense officials want DeCA to draft a plan for how it potentially would carry out such a move is another sign of the heavy budget pressures weighing on the Pentagon as a result of sequestration.
Commissary officials negotiate lower prices for products based on volume. Closing all or most U.S. commissaries would lead to higher prices and a degraded benefit in remaining stores, Tom Gordy, Armed Forces Marketing Council president, said in written testimony to a panel of the House Armed Services Committee on Nov. 20.
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)And other such boondoggles.
liberal N proud
(60,302 posts)What is it that is behind all right wing agendas? private profit. The commissaries offer military families discounted purchasing opportunities, that discount is money not going into the pockets of some big box corporations coffers.
Heather MC
(8,084 posts)underpants
(182,279 posts)Spot on
lpbk2713
(42,696 posts)I smell rethuglican duplicity all over this.
delta17
(283 posts)They won't put any effort into making their lives better.
warrant46
(2,205 posts)The low grade Enlisted types with children will be the ones this will hurt most. ( Some of whom already get FOOD STAMPS)
Question: Will they increase their pay to make up for this ?
Answer: Not a CHANCE !!
The military Jock Sniffers in both parties are at fault for the low wages and diminishing benefits
underpants
(182,279 posts)But they outsource most of those jobs out now ... For profit of the provider.
warrant46
(2,205 posts)underpants
(182,279 posts)I worked with a retired Army cook who ran the kitchen. That, as far as I know, doesn't exist like it used to. Now it is contracted out to Aramark and companies like it.
Helicopter mechs (got to know a few in my Cav unit) and many medical positions, as far as I know, are now contracted civilians.
One of the best meals I have ever had was at Berchtesgaden. A US DoD owned hotel. The meal was cooked by Army cooks who had been recommended to come there and learn under French, German, and Italian chefs. Chefs hired away for months to teach Army cooks. It was fantastic. Let me just say that I got to the meal earlier, ate, took a break.....and then went back. Imagine a kid getting out of the Army being able to say that they cooked under (fill in name).
warrant46
(2,205 posts)I believe the system was better than it is now.
At least there was some control and accountability of who did what.
Now who is going to discipline the "Contractors" Answer: No One
Wounded Bear
(58,440 posts)that rely on commissaries to stretch their budget. Many drive many miles to go there and save.
Turning it over to Wal-Mart is a really, really, bad idea.
global1
(25,168 posts)Congress will feel bad and not cut the budget of the DoD? Is this just an idle threat to see if they could generate some sympathy. Will this get the American People to call their Senators and Congressmen to tell them not to cut their budget?
Like somebody said above in this thread - one plane; some weapons; etc - would be the place more likely to cut. How much more can our servicemen and their families endure. We've already put them through hell and now we're going to cut off their cut rate lifeline to food, clothes and other things they need.
Wounded Bear
(58,440 posts)They only feel bad when their rich donors are not making sufficient profit.
pipoman
(16,038 posts)the buildings, I suspect big players will negotiate with DoD to occupy the buildings..where the commissary is now will be Wal-Mart and Home Depot.
DiverDave
(4,874 posts)And man, it's tough to live NOW on the salary's that some of the lower EM
family's have to survive on.
We really need to give the ranks a raise, some family's, living on base, qualify for food stamps
for pete's sake.
It's a disgrace.
Raise the pay.
Wounded Bear
(58,440 posts)Sure, they'll 'close' the commissaries.....and bring in the big box stores to replace them. They make money, you pay more.
It's the American way.
karadax
(284 posts)It's the militaries version of Walmart. They run for-profit and give everything extra back to the military wellness programs. If DeCa gets shutdown then I can see AAFES expanding business to carry groceries. The military trims some from the budget, a military friendly business gets more business and the men and women that serve don't lose anything.
Wounded Bear
(58,440 posts)But I've been out for a while. Still sounds fishy to me. If it does work that way, maybe it won't be that bad, but color me a skeptic.