Using the Military Post Exchange is one of the most undervalued military benefits that there is. The post exchange, also called the PX, The commissary, or the base exchange, depending on the branch of the Armed Forces that you join, saves military members a great deal of money. It is it is the equivalent of the ?military store? and offers a wide variety of goods and services at significant savings to members of the United States Armed Forces. They operated at a cost plus a small amount, and this represents a reduced cost to Servicemembers, Veterans, Retirees, and their dependents and family members. The benefits and savings that military Servicemembers realize are commissioned by the government, to help assist members of the Armed Services.
The PX military commissary is a facility that sells items at just above cost, or at cost, and this gives members of the military the ability to save big money. The standard price for most items has been set by the United States Congress, which is 5 percent charge above cost. This 5 percent pays for exchange operations, new stores, renovations, and other costs incurred by the military Exchange. Civilian payroll of commissary stores is taxpayer funded, to keep the costs separate from the goods and services offered. Most of the PX, Commissary and Post Exchanges tend to save their customers about 30 percent and for the average family of four this can be up to $2,900 dollars a year. The history of military exchanges date back to the early 1800?s when US Army officers were supplied with rations and items at Army Post Stores. This soon became a benefit that young frontier Army Officers came to expect, and even demand, being able to purchase items on the frontier at cost provided by the US Government. The entire premise behind military Post Exchanges are the Government attempting to take care of its own, by providing services, food, retail goods, and other items at substantial savings. The Military Post exchange program is one of the biggest military benefits available to military Servicemembers in the United States.
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In the last several years, the advent of the Web and the Internet the PX exchange and commissary are expanding. The post exchange and commissary benefits are also highly beneficial to younger service families that live in high cost of living areas.
Please note in your article, Military Commissary Support Benefits, “The post exchange, also called the PX, The commissary, or the base exchange, depending on the branch of the Armed Forces that you join,…” is an erroneous statement. The commissary and the exchange are two entirely different agencies, operate entirely differently, and should not be confused. Please correct this information on your site.
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I’m 82 and Military Retired. I live across from the USAF Academy. I served as the Chief of Plans and Programs G-4 Fort Knox. My wife has taken me on post to view prices a the PX and at Wal-Mart on several occasion to prove to me Wal-Mart has better prices. She has insist PX buyers need to update their thinking on women’s clothing and styles then taken me to several major chains to compare goods and prices. I was surprised.
While we agree the price of fresh produce are better than at off base food stores, the quality of the product many times leaves something to be desired. Again I have tried to explain this is a buyer and at times the lack of inspection on receipt of good. She remain cranky with me. Help By the way, Steaks are much better quality at Sam’s and Wal-Mart and prices are NOT any better. Some graded as choice verge of commercial.
I am aware of the pressure contract suppliers have with their Representatives, but so have Military buyers and contracting officers if they provide samples and grading quality information.