Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 01/01/2003

Dear Sgt Shaft:

Would you please use your good offices to elicit some information for me regarding Military Welfare and Recreation (MWR) properties?

As I'm sure you are aware, MWR and other non-appropriated activities get no direct appropriated funds (tax) monies for their operation and maintenance. The major exception is the Commissary system where the employees are federal civil servants.

We in the military totally support these activities with our patronage. All properties are built with MWR funds. As a result, as a military retiree, I take a more proprietary outlook toward them; I bought and paid for them. The general taxpayer did not.

When military facilities are disposed of, what happens to these properties? For example, Navy is currently in the process of closing the Roosevelt Roads Naval Air Station. The base contains a Navy Lodge, Navy Exchange, Commissary and TLF billets. With the exception of the TLF billets about which I am unsure, the properties were built with 'my' money, not the general taxpayers'.

Army has announced that it will vacate the Yonsan Army Base in Seoul Korea in the near future. 'My' money built a large vacation hotel on the base within the last several years. How will it be handled in the closedown? When and if these properties are sold, are the appropriate non-appropriated funds activities reimbursed for the value of the properties?

Additionally, which is the appropriate Senate and House Committee with oversight in this area?  Thank you  Fred F Col AUS-RET  Springfield VA

Dear Fred
According to the MWR Program Office at DoD, MWR properties (which are funded by "non-appropriated funds" through service or patron fees and dividends received from the Military Exchanges) are protected in the Base Closure laws. The law is specific about handling MWR properties that are sold when a base closes. Proceeds from the sale of MWR properties are deposited with the Department of Treasury and placed in the "non-appropriated fund (NAF) account" where the funds only can be reused for other non-appropriated funded needs.  If you need more information, you can contact Carol Potter at the DoD MWR Policy Office. She can be reached at 703-602-4997. 

Shaft Kudos
Commencing in 2003, and each year thereafter, one member of the media, print, radio or television services, are honored with the Media Service Award of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. For its first award, the Order cited yours truly. This year I was happy to be present for the award to good friend and fellow Viet Nam Veteran,

Carlton A. Sherwood, Executive Vice President of WVC3 Group, an international security, anti-terrorism, counter-intelligence firm headquartered in Reston, VA. The award was presented during a breakfast meeting of the Military Order of the Purple Heart’s National Service Officers’ who meet annually in the Washington area for training seminars related to the Order’s assistance to veterans program. The citation accompanying the award to Mr. Sherwood states:

“For exceptionally meritorious service to our Nation’s active duty military services, veterans and to persons with disabilities by serving as a forceful and effective advocate for these interests while serving for nearly two decades as a Special Assignment Correspondent, Cable News Network; Special Media Advisor to the Secretary of the Navy; and as a communications specialist in private media service companies. Mr. Sherwood sets an exceptionally outstanding example of personal perseverance, courage, and fortitude. As a well-known public figure in the Washington arena, Carlton Sherwood brings to public attention issues of vital interest to the welfare and well being of military servicemen and veterans alike.

“For the example of service and effectiveness he sets, in spite of his own disabilities, it is with great pleasure that the Military Order of the Purple Heart salutes and recognizes Carlton Sherwood one of our own, by bestowing upon him this well deserved recognition for superior and dedicated performance.”

“The officers and members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart who are attending the National Service Officers’ training session, joined in their praise of Mr. Sherwood for his service to the Nation and to the Order.”

The Military Order of the Purple Heart is a national veterans’ service organization comprised of combat-wounded veterans of America’s conflicts, including World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, and the war on terrorism.

Carlton is also the recipient of two of the most prestigious press awards, the Peabody and the Pulitzer.

Hats off to
Rep. Rob Simmons, chairman of the House veteran’s affairs subcommittee on health. For his recent emotional remarks before the House Budget Committee, urging Congress to fully fund veterans' programs.

Simmons held up Time Magazine, which featured the American Solider as its "Person of the Year." Simmons said, "I was gratified that when this year, Time Magazine selected the American Solider as 'Person of the Year.' I felt that was an appropriate selection given what our young men and women are doing in the war against terrorism around the world. But I also remind the members of the Budget Committee that these soldiers who are 'Person of the Year' this year will be veterans next year. And will be asking for benefits and will be asking for healthcare and we have to be prepared to honor them with more than a cover of Time Magazine."

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax to 301-622-3330; call 202-462-4430 or email sgtshaft@bavf.org.

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