How many parking spots should the commissary allocate to higher ranking Officers?

MSG Martin C. — Fri, 30 May 2014 22:41:59 -0400

I have a question that has being burning on my head for a while. While walking in to the commissary at JBAB there is six parking spots for Colonels (06), six for Generals, two for E9, one for Gold star family member but a whooping zero for expecting mothers or mothers with small children.
My question being the following. Is there ever a time in where twelve higher ranking officers are doing their grocery shopping at the same time? Is this an over kill? and are the parking spots for the officer himself or the spouse which in most cases is the one doing the shopping?

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made May 30 at 2014 11:27 PM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Fri, 30 May 2014 23:27:33 -0400

They are most likely for the spouse. I have never seen a General shop at the commissary or PX. I somehow just seem miss them each time too.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2014 11:28 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 May 2014 23:28:20 -0400

Overkill for sure. I think there definitely should be spots for expectant mothers and mothers with small children. And I think you are spot on about spouses doing a majority of the shopping.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made May 31 at 2014 3:56 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Sat, 31 May 2014 03:56:23 -0400

I agree. In all my years, all over the world, I have only seen a GO in the exchange or commissary ONE TIME. And then his staff car was in the FIRE LANE with the driver waiting on him. Guess the designated GO spots are still too far away!!

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2014 2:28 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 May 2014 14:28:24 -0400

So as much as I look as those spots and think, "You know, I'm sure you have a decal on both of your vehicles and your spouse is probably using your privilege" I was taught by my former RCWO that not only does rank have its privilege but it also has its responsibilities. So while I have to spend another 5 minutes looking for a parking spot because people don't seem to know how to drive (on any post) a senior officer or CSM who has this reserved spot really doesn't have the time to be poking around in the parking lot between meetings. It is the same reason we reserve spots for them outside of their buildings. Yes it is custom and not "exactly" enforceable by law unless you count the CSM's detail as law as he/she makes you guard that spot to ensure no one else parks there.

Solution #1 Time Limits - The signs only apply during the duty day for the PX/Commissary. That is the intent after all. The courtesy is extended so they don't have to search for a spot. Their time is well taken up with meetings. Consult with their Outlook Calendar if you don't believe me.

Solution #2 Assign the spots more logically - On every post I've seen so far "officer's row" pretty much takes up half of an aisle. Instead choose the first 2 - 4 in each aisle that way everyone else still gets pretty close to the door.

Solution #3 Valet parking - I know this sounds strange but for the ranks we are talking about many of them have drivers. This won't work for their personal vehicles but if the trip is mission related (and it should be if during duty hours and not lunch) finding and parking a vehicle generally takes longer than what you are going in for.

As to the point about how many spots are needed? That goes against your base population and number of facilities available. Remember, on-post parking spots do serve a purpose and shouldn't be used by family members but it shouldn't give us the want to park in a spot out of spite because of it.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2014 3:05 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 May 2014 15:05:07 -0400

I remember when my wife was like 8 months pregnant and we suddenly realized - DAMN, we could have been parking up front all along!!! I do laugh at the GO/SES spots. But, if you make it that far I guess you deserve some perks.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2014 5:25 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 May 2014 17:25:53 -0400

Whoa! Serious question here! Ok...let's look at the realities here - the parking ain't for the active duty O-6 and above or the active duty E-9's. Let's get real, it's for their wives! In 23 years of service and about 15 years of retirement I've never, ever seen a General / Admiral actually drive his/her car and utilize their coveted parking space - but I've seen gazillions of their spouses utilize that spot and do so with vigor! Then of course, there are the retired O-6+ and E-9's that think they still deserve those spots - cuz they're retired and earned that privilege!

Key word: privilege.

In my book - the O-6+ / E-9 parking privileges should go out the door with the trash and be replaced with Handicapped / Baby-on-the-way spots. However, I am certain that some E-9 or O-6+ is gonna pipe up with how much more important their mission is and that it's vital for them to get front row seats at the Commissary/Exchange/medical facilities because they only have a few moments before they have to be at their next super-duper important meeting.

HOGWASH!!

Trust me...if these folks are all that important - the commissary/ exchange/ medical facility will come to them. Since I don't see that happening in most cases on most bases - then there's really no need for those spots to be reserved. The reserved spots are simply a throw-back to the British / Colonial days of yore. Last I heard - we, the American Rabble, tossed the British out the door - with the trash. I'm thinking this type of deference to rank needs to go too.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2014 8:31 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 May 2014 20:31:50 -0400

Zero. Reserve a handful for "Official Business Military Vehicles ONLY" and give everyone else some breathing room. My commissary has limited cart returns due to limited parking, but an entire row of non-disability reservations. I tend to abandon my cart in O-6 and above spots, hoping that this will spur change.

Response by PO3 David Miller made Aug 13 at 2014 12:26 PM

PO3 David Miller — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 12:26:29 -0400

Zero, Zero, and Zero for officers. Only for the expecting mothers, handicapped, and the fallen heroes Gold Star spot should be reserved.

With all due respect, why should an officer receive a better parking space than me? What makes them any better than myself? If we say because they have put in their time to earn a degree, etc., this doesn't cut it for me. I have a BA degree, and almost an MA degree but have chosen to say on the enlisted side. Just my two cents, but I have more educational training than some of these ENS coming just out of school.

Response by SGT Steve Oakes made Oct 12 at 2014 7:04 PM

SGT Steve Oakes — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 19:04:21 -0400

Anyone on active duty of any rank, is expected to be in good physical condition. So why would any of them need special parking spots?

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2014 12:15 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 12:15:51 -0500

It's ridiculous. Here at Hickam AFB commissary, there are like two GO/Flag spots, four O6, a couple E9, three or four pregnancy, the civilian volunteer of the year, the NCO of the year, plus handicapped. When you pull into the lot, it's a small lot and the place looks DEAD but then you realize that everyone had to park a million miles away because almost 50% of the spots are reserved. I wish I had a picture to show that I'm not really exaggerating.

I don't mind walking the extra distance but the amount of spots are ludicrous.

Response by SGT(P) Harry Clyde Jr. made Nov 26 at 2014 12:31 PM

SGT(P) Harry Clyde Jr. — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 12:31:55 -0500

In reality higher ranking officers and NCOs do not need these reserved spots nor do I think they should exist. They and their spouses put their pants on one leg at a time like the rest of us and can find a spot and walk like the rest of us. Many of u s have short times between meetings as well and have to rush. Rank has tlits perks/privleges but this need not be one of them.
I was saw a reserved spot at a commissary that was closer to the building tan a pregnant mothers. Really? Save those spots for handicapped, goldstar, pregnant, small kids, and wounded warriors.
My 2 bits.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2015 1:57 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 01:57:33 -0500

COLs and CSMs should not have parking spots in front of any building except the one they work at. Especially when a majority of the time someone in their family is the one parking at the PX and Commissary or it's a retired CSM or something. Their money is no more valuable than my family when it comes to buying groceries. If it's considered a priveledge because of rank, Why does someone I out rank have a reserved slot? On an air force base Warrants dont even have slots at all. There are only 3 W5 slots in my MOS so on this base as a W4 I am the highest ranking guy. They need to go away.

Response by PO3 Donald Murphy made Mar 10 at 2016 3:52 PM

PO3 Donald Murphy — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 15:52:42 -0500

Shouldn't have any. They don't shop. EVER. Air Force bases are the worst, spots for over 900 different varieties of everything from backscratcher of the month to most-dedicated-window washer. Saw one last year for honor-guard-member. WTF? Really?

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2017 7:42 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 May 2017 19:42:45 -0400

We should have as many as they have. It's just a nod, it's just a thank you, from those of us that don't have a clue what it takes to be there.

And the CMH can park on the friggin grass if he wants; but the CMH wouldn't, unless, it was to put themselves in the way of threat.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Oct 7 at 2017 3:03 PM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 15:03:53 -0400

Good comments.. if there is an advisory council on Post, bring it up to them. Get all your ducks in a row: all your support, some expectant mommies, some moms with a patrol’s worth of troops... I mean children.. go to them and tell what you are doing then see if you can round up a van and take them all to the council.. you can get results or.... they show you where the door is !... jus’ kidding.. try this and see what comes up !

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2019 10:18 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Feb 2019 22:18:59 -0500

Overkill. Reduce each O6 and O7 slot by two and add the expectant mother slot by 4.

Response by Col Jonathan Brazee made May 5 at 2019 3:48 PM

Col Jonathan Brazee — Sun, 05 May 2019 15:48:35 -0400

I am retired, but I work out and shop at an Air Force base. The spots closest to the doors at the PX are for handicapped and expectant mothers. In the next parking lane over, the closest spot is for Purple Heart recipients. It is only after that that there is one GO spot, two O-6 spots, and two CMS spots. If you look at the open spots, probably two dozen are actually closer to the doors than the GO/Col/CMS spots.

I am a new father of twins, and I'd like a spot with more room on the sides as many of the handicapped spots have. Taking the girls out in their car seats and then getting them in the stroller is quite difficult and sometimes impossible when cars are parked too closely together. I end up parking quite a ways out where I can find room.

Response by TSgt Gary McPherson made Aug 5 at 2019 6:57 PM

TSgt Gary McPherson — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 18:57:58 -0400

Really depends on the size of the base,,,2 for Flag officers,1 for each group commanders(06),(4-5),1.Senior enlisted chief,3,PG women,3 Disabled vets,8-10 handicap spots..Vehicles need special decals for special parking.

Response by CPT William Jones made Jun 7 at 2020 2:48 PM

CPT William Jones — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 14:48:54 -0400

I was told when I served (RVN era)there was only one reserved spot authorized on post (there was the mass of them all over for various things)and that was for the senior commanding officer on post at his headquarters.

Response by CPT William Jones made Oct 31 at 2021 5:12 PM

CPT William Jones — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 17:12:22 -0400

The regs do cover this. And to my memory the only official place was the CO of installation at the HQ. however that seems to have grown by tradition to every commander Putin one by his Hq and several others scattered around post. Most were not authorized by any reg. My favorite spot was marked for officers club officer in charge of the club.