Are there changes ahead for the commissary & exchange?

[Kirk W]

Just read a story that may be of interest to some of you, especially the retired guys.

Lawmakers want to ‘pump the brakes’ on commissary-exchange merger plans

[NDBirdman]

I read it, don't see where it would really make much difference.  Are they thinking of making the BX/Commissary more like a super WallyWorld?  I would go for that. 

[Kirk W]

There has been talk of making them all self-supporting in the cost of operations.

[remoandiris]

“Congress has an obligation to accomplish this deliberately with the Department of Defense and military services to ensure this is a consultative and inclusive process of reform, while eliminating waste and unnecessary costs,”

 

Has the gubment EVER eliminated waste and unnecessary costs of anything???

[NDBirdman]

1 hour ago, remoandiris said:

Has the gubment EVER eliminated waste and unnecessary costs of anything???

That thar is downright funny!  They do eliminate waste/cost at the lower levels only to blow more on the top.

[remoandiris]

2 hours ago, NDBirdman said:

 They do eliminate waste/cost at the lower levels only to blow more on the top.

I don't think they eliminate any costs.  They only shuffle it around.

[RV_]

It is old news and apparently Don Bacon, R. Nebraska hopes to make an issue out of it.

That article was written in 2016 by Karen Jowers here: https://www.militarytimes.com/2016/07/15/should-the-military-exchanges-run-the-commissary-system-aafes-has-a-plan/

Here is the one quoted above:

https://www.militarytimes.com/pay-benefits/2018/05/14/lawmakers-want-to-pump-the-brakes-on-commissary-exchange-merger-plans/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AIR 05.15.18&utm_term=Editorial - Air Force - Daily News Roundup

Looks like times change. (The Military Times that is) That seems to be just the opinion of one legislator needing some publicity, and the writer who gave it.

I wouldn't sweat it either way.

 

 

[Chalkie]

I have read the same thing and the article I read said that commissary sales have fallen by 21.3% since 2012. Currently commissary items are sold at a cost plus 5% which in many cases makes the goods cost more that in a traditional grocery store. The Exchange has not been competitive for a number years in any aspect other than saving one the local taxes on a purchase. 

We can shop at the Commissary or BX at 3 different bases where I live but rarely do. If we are on base for something else, say medical appts, we may shop but we never make a special trip for it as the prices in the Commissary and Exchange just can't compete with all the other shopping available to us. 

I truly do not see how either can be made self-sufficient in the majority of locations and frankly don't think it would be a great loss if they were closed down entirely in the US. They should remain in overseas locations though. Of course, closing  both Commissary and Exchange leads to another problem since Exchange proceeds support the MWR system.