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Burgermeister


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Has anyone here ever worked in a commissary at a U.S. military base?
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Has anyone here ever worked in a commissary at a U.S. military base? Or do you know anything about it?  How does it differ from non military stores? I understand that they are non profit. I mean the goal is not to make as much money as possible. Prices are lower and they aren't afraid to throw things away. I don't know if they are military or civilian cutters. One thing I do know is they got some pretty good meat in 1981 when I worked wholesale. We really valued the military contract and gave them the best beef. They bought carcass beef, but it was "trim beef' meaning the plates and flanks were removed and some excess fat removed. Suet trimmed some, but not completely. You needed a real sharp knife to trim that kidney fat they way they wanted it. Also, spinal cords were scraped out. Not sure why. Someone said they spoil over the amount of time it takes for it to reach it's final destination. I'm sure they get boxed beef now anyway.


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Has anyone here ever worked in a commissary at a U.S. military base?
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I know a very little about them. when i was younger i explored the idea of getting a job there as a meat cutter. DECA is a civilian run facility but is part of a government agency. its basically where spouses of military personal would do their shopping. the prices are kept low but the employees still stand to make a bit more than they would make in other jobs. At least thats what i heard. I also heard its a very demanding place to work because its government controlled you have to answer to some federal big shots who monitor the progress and whatever else they monitor. when i was checking it out years ago they had a high demand for meat cutters. I don't inow what its like now. alot of the demand was for meat cutters to relocate overseas like japan or germany. which is basically why i decided not to apply because i wanted to stay close to family. But over all i think they pay good or used to anyway but its a tough place to work because of government regulations and crap and I don't mean sanitary or usda regulations. I haven't heard anything about throwing things away but it wouldn't surprise me. but they do hire civilian employees.

 

you got me wondering if there was still any demand for meatcutters. so i decided to look it up.  it appears there is.  here is the link if anyone is curious

notice how they start you out at 16.62 for parttime

http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/302122700



-- Edited by fdarn on Wednesday 2nd of November 2011 08:20:33 AM



-- Edited by fdarn on Wednesday 2nd of November 2011 08:26:51 AM

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RJ


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RE: Has anyone here ever worked in a commissary at a U.S. military base?
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From 82-86 I served in the Air Force, back then we were told that prices would vary from base to base. The BX (general store) and commisary were to be about 10% less than the stores off base, for that particular area.
As far as civilian or military cutters I am guessing its a mixture of both. Before I got out one of the jobs I looked to cross train to was meat cutter at the commisary as I had already had a few years of meat cutting before I enlisted. I decided against it and opted to get out instead.
I do remember going there though and asking for a standing rib roast and got a blank stare. So I held up a rib steak and told him, just cut me one of these but about 6 inches thicker! He came back with exactly what I wanted, when I asked him how much his reply was "Well I didnt have to cut it into steaks so its 20 cents pound cheaper than the steak. I thanked him took the roast and went on down the meat case to get the burger I needed. Burger cost me just over $2 pound, and that darn rib roast was $1.79 pound!! Needless to say I had many dinners at my house and never served a hamburger!

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Burgermeister


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RE: Has anyone here ever worked in a commissary at a U.S. military base?
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fdarn wrote:

I know a very little about them. when i was younger i explored the idea of getting a job there as a meat cutter. DECA is a civilian run facility but is part of a government agency. its basically where spouses of military personal would do their shopping. the prices are kept low but the employees still stand to make a bit more than they would make in other jobs. At least thats what i heard. I also heard its a very demanding place to work because its government controlled you have to answer to some federal big shots who monitor the progress and whatever else they monitor. when i was checking it out years ago they had a high demand for meat cutters. I don't inow what its like now. alot of the demand was for meat cutters to relocate overseas like japan or germany. which is basically why i decided not to apply because i wanted to stay close to family. But over all i think they pay good or used to anyway but its a tough place to work because of government regulations and crap and I don't mean sanitary or usda regulations. I haven't heard anything about throwing things away but it wouldn't surprise me. but they do hire civilian employees.

 

you got me wondering if there was still any demand for meatcutters. so i decided to look it up.  it appears there is.  here is the link if anyone is curious

notice how they start you out at 16.62 for parttime

http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/302122700



-- Edited by fdarn on Wednesday 2nd of November 2011 08:20:33 AM



-- Edited by fdarn on Wednesday 2nd of November 2011 08:26:51 AM

 

Thank you for the interesting link. One part that interested me was where it said "Advises supervisor of primals or subprimals requiring adjustments from packer." That's what I remember from when I worked wholesale. We actually cared what they thought and were scared of losing their contract (= our jobs). I bet they get better beef back ribs than the rest of the country/world. At least that's the first thing I'd correct if I had that power.
My brother at about 14 years old worked as a bagger in the Navy commissary in Holy Loch Scotland and worked for tips only. No pay check.
I think items sold at military bases are not taxable. That's one good reason to shop there if you have a Military ID card for any reason. However, I wouldn't say it's a good reason to join the military.
The link you provided says the particular job (at this time) is in Colorado. I don't think I'd like to go there. Japan and Germany sound interesting. Can you imagine getting transferred across the world? Military does that a lot. Could they transfer you anywhere every few years? I thought it was bad when I was transferred (without asking me) from Gilroy to Campbell (35 miles) inn 1982. Back when I turned 18 and military recruiters were talking to me, I asked about getting a job as a meat cutter. They didn't know anything about it.


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Burgermeister


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RE: Has anyone here ever worked in a commissary at a U.S. military base?
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RJ wrote:

From 82-86 I served in the Air Force, back then we were told that prices would vary from base to base. The BX (general store) and commisary were to be about 10% less than the stores off base, for that particular area..........

 Did you pay sales tax?



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RJ


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Now thats a good questioin! Its been so long I have forgotten. I cant be certain, but I don't think we did. If I say we did not this could be the one instance in my life when I have been wrong.....LOL



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Lady Filet Mignon


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RE: Has anyone here ever worked in a commissary at a U.S. military base?
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years ago I lived with a service man and we went to the commisary I don't think we payed any sales tax



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