NEX at Moron AB, Spain

Author Message   Danny Hamilton Senior Member Username: Dannyhamilton Post Number: 618 Registered: 03-2004 Posted From: 68.230.167.111 Posted on Monday, June 14, 2010 - 12:24 pm:    Earl, I was stationed at Torrejon AB, Spain in the late 1960s. I lived in Madrid for the 3 years of that assignment and used the downtown US military facilities like the commissary, BX and theater. I kept an old necktie in the glove box of my car to put on and wear everytime I had to go into those facilities. I even wore it once with a T-shirt, but that was OK I guess, 'cause I had satisfied the letter of the law. Torrejon was the best overseas assignment in my 28 years of service!   mike~p Senior Member Username: In_japan Post Number: 521 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 67.119.2.228 Posted on Monday, June 14, 2010 - 06:24 am:    Spanish US Status of Forces Agreement 2002 can be found at http://www.mde.es/gl/Galerias/organizacion/organigrama/engl.pdf This document reads like many of the other country SOFAs but how strict it is enforced seems to be up to local interpertation. It does note that retirees are authorized access to bases to travel on military aircraft.(see Art 17, para 3.4) Article 49 notes Military service exchanges, commissaries, open messes, social centers, and recreational service areas established in Spain by the United States forces for the exclusive use of the members of the force, the civilian component, and dependents shall be exempt from any Spanish taxes or charges So if they are not exclusive to members of the forces... they shall be subject Spanish taxes and charges. That is why restrictions on others who can use are imposed.   Earl Senior Member Username: Myramstein Post Number: 797 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 108.98.23.101 Posted on Sunday, June 13, 2010 - 07:10 pm:    Correct "map" to read "maps." Two maps. While you are at the 3973cds.com web page, take a look at "MainGate" Many interesting photos of gates to closed bases and some existing ones too.   Earl Senior Member Username: Myramstein Post Number: 796 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 108.98.23.101 Posted on Sunday, June 13, 2010 - 07:07 pm:    Phil, thank you! Great reply! Agree, who cares? Either you can or you can't. Enjoy the "can" status. For all those who must know, it is in the SOFA agreement. And, no I cannot find a written copy for your now. Years ago, at TAB (Torrejon, former USAF base outside of Madrid, Spain), the SOFA agreement, even back then, limited those who could use the BX on TAB. But, under the SOFA agreement of those days, retirees and others could use the shoppette. So, the USAF made the shoppette at TAB the largest on in the system. For Cold War bases in Spain see map at: http://www.3973cds.com/3973cdsmapspain.php Rota and Moron are the last of the former US Navy and USAF bases in Spain. For those who remember, it was huge. Had everything in it. Since the SOFA agreement stated retirees and others can use the shoppette but not the main store/commissary. That shoppette got larger and larger. As far as can shop/can't shop, no gas, no cigs, etc.... I always feel if I can fine, if I can't so be it. I don't go to Europe to shop on base. The few things that I need are in the shoppette at Rota and Moron. Believe it or not, stores off base in Spain, Germany, France, and Italy are just as good, in some cases better, than the commissary and NEX.   Hale Lait Senior Member Username: Norwich50 Post Number: 879 Registered: 07-2006 Posted From: 70.232.162.80 Posted on Sunday, June 13, 2010 - 02:11 pm:    If, you are truly interested in an answer, not just curious, do as my sixth-grade teacher advised - go to the library and find the answer.   John R Garrison Senior Member Username: Majorg Post Number: 2746 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 208.81.157.86 Posted on Sunday, June 13, 2010 - 01:48 pm:    Phil: I agree whole heartedly...if you can't stand the answer, then don't ask the question! Happy Travels, John   Phil Doubleman Senior Member Username: Phil Post Number: 1629 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 68.35.26.65 Posted on Sunday, June 13, 2010 - 12:48 pm:    Come on folks. What does it matter if it is written somewhere or not that we can shop in the shopettes in Spain? We can't shop in the PX/BX because of the SOFA. Lets don't screw up the ability to shop at the shopette, too, by trying to find out WHY we can!   DeeDee Clarke Senior Member Username: Deedee Post Number: 660 Registered: 05-2004 Posted From: 67.11.180.124 Posted on Sunday, June 13, 2010 - 11:45 am:    John - I understand each country has it's own SOFA. And I have heard that about retirees using the shoppette, but what I am wondering is if it is truly written into the SOFA. Does the SOFA really get down to that detail stating that retirees can shop at the shoppette but not at the exchanges or commissaries? I haven't seen anything in writing. Is it authorized or do they just look the other way there? If you go to the AAFES website, it states that retirees are not authorized to shop at the the exchange. The shoppette is part of AAFES. There is no footnote stating shopping is authorized at the shoppette. Is the website wrong? That is why my question was - does someone know where it is written that they are treated differently?   John R Garrison Senior Member Username: Majorg Post Number: 2743 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 208.81.157.86 Posted on Sunday, June 13, 2010 - 03:29 am:    DeeDee: Actually SOFAs differ depending on the country. UK and Germany do not allow non-assigned folks to use Bx/Px/Shoppette/Commissary. Italy allows all access. Spain blocks non-assigned from the Px/Bx/Nex/Commissary but not the Shoppette. Yes, I know there are ways around (white cards, take receipts in next month and pay the VAT, etc). But as far as just walking up and using the facilities, I believe this is the latest status. happy travels, john   DeeDee Clarke Senior Member Username: Deedee Post Number: 659 Registered: 05-2004 Posted From: 67.11.180.124 Posted on Sunday, June 13, 2010 - 01:57 am:    As far as I know, the SOFAs do not differentiate BX/PX from shoppette. Does someone know where it is written that they are treated differently?   Bob Dart Senior Member Username: Bobdart Post Number: 1574 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 70.91.152.166 Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 10:54 pm:    I thought SOFA allowed us retirees to use shopettes. I've used the "new" one at Rota, but couldn't venture into the main NEX. I'm at Dover right waiting for our Rota plane to be fixed after being diverted from Norfolk last night. I think they may ask me to leave the Rota NEX too.   Earl Senior Member Username: Myramstein Post Number: 795 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 173.106.190.44 Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 07:32 pm:    Martin, Possibly you guys got off the plane and needed a shower then? LOL For many years I have used the little store at Moron and never been asked to leave. I stress many years. Well before the 3 to 5 years you are talking about. And I was a retiree then. Never had a problem. Also used the NEX Shopette at Rota NS. Used both last July 09 and last month '10. No problems. Other retirees were using same every time I was there. Got me. Also use dining facility at Moron x7 / week. And at Rota on weekends. Subject to change for Rota.   Martin V Smith Advanced Member Username: Mvsusaf Post Number: 281 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 72.76.38.134 Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 04:23 pm:    About 3 to 5 years ago I and 3 other retirees were asked to leave the premises as we were not authorized. We said we were trying to cool of in the air conditioning and had no intention of buying anything. We were told again to leave which of course we did. Landed at Moron on the 17th of MAY and found to my delight it was ok for retirees to be in there and to spend money. It seems some bright person changed the name from NEX to NEX Shoppette and all was fine. Kudos to whoever had the common sense to do that!