On-base gas prices similar to rates outside the gate

Dear Sgt. Shaft:

I am a 100 percent disabled veteran. I live in Virginia with my wife and youngest daughter. My daughter attends college, and without VA Chapter 35 benefits, things would be a bit tough. I have been unemployed and living on retirement and VA benefits since 1997.

Concerning retired (as well as active duty) benefits, perhaps you can help me understand something that’s puzzled me for quite some time. I retired from military service with extensive disabilities during the latter part of 1968. My “retirement compensation” has moderately increased over the years; however, the actual “spending power” of my “benefits” seems to have eroded at an equal or greater pace.

For example, several years ago the cost of gasoline on military installations was noticeably less expensive than “off base.” The difference, I believe, was due to the fact that state tax was not charged on base and the gas was “unnamed” yet certified from various commercial sources. This “benefit” was/is presumably intended to help offset the “less than desirable” salary differential between military and civilian careers, in addition to the fact that transactions on U.S. military installations are exempt from state and local sales taxes.

This morning, I filled my vehicle’s gas tank at Fort Belvoir and could not help but notice that the price of gasoline “on post” is currently no different than the cost of gasoline along Route 1 just outside the main gate. Current research indicates Virginia sales tax on a gallon of gasoline is 27 cents per gallon and the figures for local taxes are “elusive,” to say the least.

Why isn’t the price of gasoline for military personnel and their dependents at least 27 cents cheaper “on post” in the state of Virginia?

Thanks for your comments on this matter. I’m sure I’m not the only active or retired service member with these and similar thoughts.

Stay well, Sarge.

Russell C.

Clifton, Va.

United States Army, retired

Dear Russ:

My sources tell me that gasoline prices on each military base are determined by frequent local market surveys conducted by the local Post Exchange. The PX pays all taxes. I suggest that the PX apparatchiks get new calculators.

Shaft notes

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