Revive The Auto Skills Center Ft. Belvoir

04/18/2025

I am currently passing around a petition to sign for support of the Auto Skills Center, if it was to come back to Fort Belvoir. Currently the only garage of this type in the DC/Maryland/Virginia region is at Quantico.

Trying to bring back the ASC, and I am doing it alone. Need all help! Need info, petitions signed etc

07/29/2024

Regulations cite that the goal for category B programs is 65% appropriated funding APF (treasury funds apportioned through congress). Nonappropriated funding NAF is money raised through any other means..business operations, donations, etc. Uniform funding management UFM is a mixture of APF and NAF.

Even though AAFES has become the 54th largest retailer in the US as of 2022, from 2018 (63rd largest)- AAFES establishments are built with APF (tax dollars). An AAFES manager said AAFES is not for profit because they give all their earnings to the services. However, in 2018 they grossed roughly 8 billion in sales revenue, while in 2022 they grossed roughly 12 billion. Furthermore, AAFES is a financial entity defined as an instrumentality, which does not make donations- rather they 'pay dividends'; that is how the regulations state it. I have not confirmed whether it is true that AAFES does not make profit.

Instead of occupying the ASC building while denying an opportunity for it to return, AAFES should have to build their own facility since MWR does not have the funds to build their own. I have been told that the ASC did not break even, and it was required to do so. This is something that still has to be confirmed. I was told the shut down came from an IMCOM general who provided the order, though I was told there is no record of the order to shut it down with the justifications.

07/24/2024

Fun fact: if you are unable to afford certain repairs which prevent you from obtaining a passed emissions test or safety inspection and therefore cannot renew your registration until then- your car may be towed by the wrecker and auctioned. Money from when it is auctioned goes to MWR, which closed the Auto Skills Center. I have requested the written source of the order to close it, but was told there was none.

07/24/2024

We are at 93% of where MWR funding was pre covid. The reason cited for closing the ASC was funding, though unsubstantiated. Now that the ASC has been replaced with a 6 year AAFES contract (precision tune auto), the ASC has no place to return. They will renew another contract before this one is up in 2 years, and there will not e a break. This is unacceptable to deny SMs the ability to repair and maintain their vehicles in this high cost of living area where we are forced to pay regional market value for parts and services.

12/17/2023

"DoDI 1015.10 MWR Programs" States that unlimited use for all MWR programs is authorized for the following individuals and their family members:

Active-Duty (all 5), Reservists, National Guardsmen, Active-Duty retirees, reservist Retirees, honorably discharged Veterans with 100% disability, Medal Of Honor recipients, surviving children under age of 21, Surviving Spouses of personnel who died on Active-Duty, retired Merchant Marines, Corps of the Public Health Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on active duty, and much more. go to page 21 of the Document to find this information.

12/15/2023

On May 17, 2021 Ft. Belvoir MWR announced the ASC was being shut down due to a lack of funding from Uniformed Funding Management (UFM). However, in that same exact time frame on April 8, 2021, the Rock Island Arsenal had completely renovated, improved and reopened their ASC. That is the cover photo of the page. Watch the video of Colonel Allison, and Major General Mitchell make opening remarks in support of the ASC.

https://fb.watch/oXvGc3-8tI/

12/15/2023

Ft. Belvoir Quarterly Town Hall with COL Messina, CSM Newell.
One thing I should note, because the video does not show it- when the Deputy Garrison Commander (civilian) advocates for the businesses operation on post, I asked the crowd of people behind me if they would rate their experience with a thumbs up or thumbs down, and every single person who rated their experience had their thumbs down.

the link for the entire video is here: https://fb.watch/oXs_rCiquW/

12/15/2023

I am Specialist Donato Nigro (duh-not-oh ny-grow).

I am investigating why exactly the ASC was shut down, and the relevant circumstances and regulations. It is a huge task, especially when it is just me doing the leg-work. That is why I am trying to recruit assistance from supporters.
I am putting together an essay. After the essay has been finalized and connects various pieces of information, a petition will be created. The petition will ultimately be more effective, but the essay is required for obtaining all the facts, and serves the argument for justifying the reinstatement of the ASC, as well as potential solutions.
I want your input, and your help. Let me know if you can help by editing portions of the essay, if you think that is your strong spot; or looking up different parts of governing regulations if that is what you're good at; or if you are in finances, perhaps you can help with financial analysis; bring different points and ideas to the essay.
I brought this up twice at the Junior Enlisted Council and was dissuaded and disapproved. Then I went to the quarterly Town Hall and used the open floor to address the Post Commander, Sergeant Major, and certain post-managing civilians (video is posted). This essay is for presenting to the Post Commander. Ideally this could change the trend of ASC's being shut down on other posts. Here, we develop the case.
It stopped working because MWR was at least not trying to keep it alive. MWR mismanaged its overseeing of ASC operation to the point that it supposedly needed funding to support itself, while limiting the implementation of practices that would support the ASC.
Thank you all!