Thanks for the response. You make excellent points about dealing with the MWR conundrum as well as addressing inefficiency through operating contracts. I was certain you understood MWR but wrote my reply to also inform the wider FR group that might not.
I never experienced anything other than AAFES running the various fast food outlets. I’m sure the franchises are the better choice.
BTW, on the issue of hearing loss, I have no problems there due to having a wife who was a speech/hearing therapist who regularly rode me about wearing my hearing protection. Additionally, my active duty time was on missiles with only training at Ft. Sill on howitzers and one week in West Germany as a safety officer for the two cannon battalions in the Group. When I left active duty, I went to a National Guard artillery battalion but it was 105mm and I was an officer so I wasn’t right on the firing line all that much.
Lucky you — every Marine 0802 Artillery Officer I know is deaf as a door nail! I was an 0302 Infantry Officer and lost a lot of my hearing to incoming arty, so I gained a healthy respect for the King of Battle from both ends. Semper Fidelis...