Posted on 06/05/2017 11:15:13 PM PDT by 1_Inch_Group
The Defense Department resale board last year approved a plan to open the exchange's online stores to all veterans. Those who are verified through a new site will have access to all of the online exchange stores, including AAFES, the Coast Guard Exchange, the Marine Corps Exchange and the Navy Exchange.
(Excerpt) Read more at military.com ...
Cool. Looks like I’m good to go on Nov. 11.
It was always a guiding principle that government should only do those things which private enterprise cannot do. The outdated military exchange system is a relic of formerly isolated posts which lacked access to competitive shopping, but this is no longer the case now that every base has a Walmart, Home Depot and other franchised superstores outside every gate. Government should never be allowed to compete with private businesses, since it can grant itself artificial advantages over its competitors. Military exchanges have outlived their purpose and are no longer needed, and should be disbanded in favor of private enterprise.
There a lot of valuable retiree benefits, but the BX ain’t one of them. We rarely ever buy anything there. And this will be even more cumbersome, because vets will only have access to on line shopping. AAFES vs Amazon. It’ll like shopping at a Soviet era department store vs Walmart. I don’t think Jeff Bezos will lose any sleep over this.
Registered but will be surprised if they can beat Walmart or Amazon. Sort of watching to see if they carry things not easily gotten elsewhere.
The Few. THE PROUD. The Marines. I asked for it. They paid me. I don’t even do veterans discounts at local restaurants or anywhere else where offered. Semper Fi.
WELL SAID!!!!....WORTH REPEATING!
He Won't!...but the American Taxpayer and Veterans themselves will be paying for a service the Veterans dont need!!....Close them all and save that money!....Then let all those workers go to work at Amazon and Walmart or wherever and ADD money to the economy instead of taking it from “We the Taxpayers”....
That's a WIN-WIN in my book....
(and I say that as a proud Veteran)
This Army cannon-cocker thanks you for your service.
Your post holds a great economic truth about the government not doing something that could be done better by private enterprise. Applying that to the exchanges just because WalMart is outside the gate overlooks two things. The exchange is a non-appropriated fund (NAF) activity thus no taxes are expended for its operation. Additionally, purchases at the exchange generate morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) funding that is distributed down to unit level for functions that meet the title description. Ending the exchanges means those funds go away along with the nice things they used to buy for the troops.
I don’t see WMT setting aside a portion of sales received from military families in order to fund MWR activities. They would rightly say they already pay taxes without understanding the reality of how MWR funds come from non-tax sources.
“Used” ammo boxes?
While on the topic of Veterans, why aren’t hearing aids free to WWII Veterans?
As a Vietnam era vet mine were free.
After learning about this, I went to the site and was unable to proceed and must send a copy of my DD214 to some address or another. Interestingly I entered the VA medical system in 2006 and my DD214 was readily available then.
It is irritating. I know this version is the beta version, but just getting into it shouldn’t be a puzzle. I mean, so I copy my DD214 but where do I send it?
I think I’ll go to the local VA office and see if they can help.
too bad it isn’t the commissary
Save your time and don’t bother...
...the MWR tax is a ripoff. And don’t get me going about MWR...another mandatory participation govt goat screw.
I attempted to register. “Unable to find military records”. What a way to start a program! Can’t find their butt with both hands! I thought it odd they didn’t even ask for my military serial number, only my Social. I’m 77, and have survived without a PX since 1961. They can cram it!
Back in the 60’s we lived overseas and used the exchange. The Exchange and commissary system was a deal. In fact where we lived it was the only place we could purchase suitable groceries for the family. The shells in the commissary were stocked full of “GI” food, silver cans with National Stock numbers printed in bold black letters on the tops containing information on the contents. So there was the savings, buying military contracted foodstuffs and can goods.
Today you don’t find those foodstuffs, it’s name brand only, and at no savings whatsoever compared to options at commercial retailers.
The only value I see that the commissary and exchange system bringing to the service member is that the service member doesn’t need to leave base to shop, especially in remote areas where shopping might be somewhat difficult due to lack of transportation or distances involved. But rarely is that the case at this point in time.
Please, let me know what you think.
Is it just military items??
I input the info on the first page, hit continue...and was instantly told to send in my DD214.
No message that they couldn’t find my records...just submit my discharge papers.
I’ll stick with Amazon.com.
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