As another example, the post exchanges / Navy exchanges on base (which are retail shopping centers) also contribute from their profits to the local MWR funds. T

As another example, the post exchanges / Navy exchanges on base (which are retail shopping centers) also contribute from their profits to the local MWR funds. They even advertise it to the shoppers. "Hey, the money we make stays with you all, not some random PE investors" But no one is confused that Big Morale is somehow pulling the strings behind the scenes to force people to shop at the exchange. In fact, in general the military can't really "make money", to the extent they manage to run activities involving cash receipts with military personnel, it becomes a chore to figure out something productive to do with that spending. MWR is a very minor activity on most bases but it is something that can absorb money on servicemembers' behalf so it often ends up in this role.