Military Commissaries: --Justification as Fringe Benefit Needed--Consolidation Can Reduce Dependence on Appropriations

摘要

The Congress originally intended that commissaries be operated only where food is not conveniently available at reasonable prices. The Defense Department defends the large number of commissaries in metropolitan areas today as an economic fringe benefit and a needed recruitment and retention tool. However, Defense has not developed data showing the need for its extensive commissary system or the value of the commissary benefit in relation to its cost. GAO recommends that Defense determine whether the benefit provided by commissaries is needed and whether commissaries or other programs are the most cost-effective means to meet any demonstrated need.