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\nSECDEF Austin<\/p>\n
\nSECDEF Austin<\/p>\n
In the Peanut Farmer’s Hollow Military days AWANEd and family pretty much lived on soup, saltines and baby formula. At least the formula was readily available.<\/p>\n
Sadly those days may be back. Military members and their families are being hit hard by inflation and supply chain concerns same as everyone else, but junior service personnel are feeling the pain the most.<\/p>\n
Inflation is affecting everything from food at commissaries and grocery stores to child care. Basic Allowance for Housing rates often lag behind increased housing costs in local markets. This directly affects readiness and retention.<\/p>\n
Some congress critters are asking SECDEF to help.<\/p>\n
By Karen Jowers<\/strong><\/p>\n Lawmakers are urging Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to take steps to curb rising prices in military commissaries, as military families deal with inflationary grocery costs.<\/p>\n \u201cFamilies across the country \u2014 including those at our military bases \u2014 are struggling with the rising costs of basic everyday needs,\u201d said Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas, in a May 19 announcement of a letter sent to Austin. He and Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nevada, spearheaded the effort, and the letter was signed by six additional Democratic colleagues.<\/p>\n The lawmakers asked Austin to remove the requirement for commissaries to make a profit.<\/p>\n Removing that requirement would have an \u201cimmediate, direct impact for families, lowering their grocery bills and extending their pay as a non-pay compensation benefit, and reducing food insecurity and inflationary effects,\u201d the lawmakers wrote.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n