A coalition of 27 military and veteran organizations have asked leaders of the House and Senate armed services committees for more congressional review before a proposed DOD move to merge the military’s commissary and exchange programs.
In a March 8 letter to the congressional committees the Military Coalition wrote, “We are very concerned that the proposals to merge the various elements of the defense resale system may [pose] a threat to its continued viability,” the Military Times reported.
As On Base reported, then-Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan created a merger task force last year to explore the business case for consolidating the exchange and commissary stores. In January the task force recommended merging the stores into a single organization, while keeping specific grocery functions separate.
“Given the varying opinions about the advisability of the recommendation, we believe an independent review by the Government Accountability Office would be appropriate,” the coalition wrote.
The Military Coalition, which represents 5.5 million veterans, service members, their families, and survivors, is also asking for a congressional hearing to examine the recommendations.
Photo by Army & Air Force Exchange Service
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