Decision on Whether Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Activities in the Air Force Can Be Paid for With Appropriated Funds

This document addresses a decision on whether morale, welfare, and recreation activities in the Air Force can be paid for with appropriated funds. The Air Force has used appropriated funds to pay for various types of work where it appears that the cost should have been paid from nonappropriated funds. 10 U.S.C. 9779(c) provides that no money appropriated for the support of the Air Force may be spend for base gardens or Air Force exchanges. However, this does not prevent Air Force exchanges from using public buildings or public transportation that, in the opinion of the Secretary, are not needed for other purposes. Department of Defense Directive 1330.2 dated January 19, 1953, revised August 31, 1956, provides that morale, welfare, and recreation activities selling goods or services (including exchanges, clubs, officers' messes (open), etc.), except those required by statute to sell at cost price, will be self-sustaining with respect to expenses for civilian employees, purchase of operating equipment, and maintenance of the interior of the space occupied. Paragraph 209026, Air Force Manual 172-1, dated April 1, 1957, provides that exchanges, officers' and noncommissioned officers' open messes, cafeteria, bowling alleys, swimming pool, theaters, etc., selling goods or services at other than cost, will be self-sustaining with respect to civilian employees, purchase of operating equipment, and maintenance service in excess of normal requirements.