Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

‘The Savings Are Real’

By

NEWS RELEASE

Defense Commissary Agency

Corporate Communications

1300 E Avenue, Fort Lee, VA 23801-1800

Tel:  (804) 734-8000, Ext. 8-6105  DSN: 687-8000, Ext. 8-6105 

FAX: (804) 734-8248  DSN: 687-8248

www.commissaries.com

Release Number:         02-19                                                                                                                        

Date:                              January 11, 2019

Media Contact:             Kevin L. Robinson, public affairs specialist

Tel.:                                (804) 734-8000, Ext. 4-8773

E-mail:                           kevin.robinson@deca.mil

‘The savings are real’

For commissary’s senior enlisted advisor, the benefit is personal

By Kevin L. Robinson,

DeCA public affairs specialist

Note: For photos of Command Sgt. Maj. Tomeka O’Neal, go to

https://www.flickr.com/photos/commissary/sets/72157675474028927.

FORT LEE, Va. – Like most authorized commissary patrons, Army Command Sgt. Maj. Tomeka N. O’Neal lives off the installation, where it would be more convenient to shop in the commercial grocery stores near her home.

However, convenience doesn’t always save money.

“Even as an E9, I still prefer my commissary over the so-called discount stores outside the gate,” said O’Neal. “And when I hear others talk about saving money, I just say why don’t you go to the commissary? I’ve done my homework, comparing sales receipts from the commissary and the civilian stores – the savings are real.”

As the new senior enlisted advisor to the DeCA director, O’Neal makes it her business to learn everything she can about the commissary benefit so she can help other service members and their families save money. It’s a mission that she doesn’t take lightly.

“Right now I’m busy getting grounded in DeCA’s operations,” O’Neal said, “and concentrating on the mission, vision and focus areas that [retired Rear] Adm. [Robert J.] Bianchi, [DOD special assistant for commissary operations] wants me to target.

“From a senior enlisted advisor’s perspective it’s all about communications and messaging,” she added. “The ultimate challenge remains: How do we encourage our lower enlisted and mid grades to shop in our stores when many of them may be off post and near a number of commercial grocers? Messaging is so important as well as the ability of leaders to take our messaging and influence our patrons – and it’s all through communication.”  

In her previous assignment, O’Neal served as command sergeant major of the Joint Munitions & Lethality Life Cycle Command at Rock Island, Illinois.

At DeCA, she is the agency’s military advocate for enlisted service members – active duty, retired and reserve components – on all commissary benefit issues. The senior enlisted adviser is also the agency’s chief liaison to the military’s senior enlisted leaders.

“CSM O’Neal has an extensive background as a military leader,” Bianchi said. “As our new senior enlisted advisor, we are confident her experience will serve us well as she endeavors to help our patrons maximize their shopping experience and help us understand our patrons’ concerns about their commissary benefit.”

Throughout her nearly three decades in the Army, O’Neal has held a variety of battalion-, brigade- and command-level assignments that include the 1st Theater Sustainment Command (TSC), formerly known as COSCOM (1st Corps Support Command);  44th Medical Command; U.S. Army Special Operations Command; 1st and 4th Infantry Divisions; and the U.S. Army Materiel Command. O’Neal also provided logistical support for the production of the movie, Black Hawk Down, in Rabat, Morocco, and the Joint Logistics Command in Karshi Khanabad, Uzbekistan.

“I’ve always been an advocate for our commissary,” O’Neal said. “I just believe if you don’t take advantage of these benefits they will be on the chopping block; and we won’t realize what we had until it’s gone. Then it will be almost criminal to tell a young private to spend their money outside the gate, where they won’t get the same savings.”

She joined the Army as a parachute rigger in 1990 and later changed to automated logistical specialist in 1998. Her career has taken her to places such as Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Carson, Colorado; Camp Carroll, Korea; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and in Germany, Miseau and Kaiserslautern.

O’Neal holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Trident University International, (Cypress, California) and a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from Campbell University (Buies Creek, North Carolina).

O’Neal’s complete biography is posted on the DeCA website.

-DeCA-

How To Make the Most of Your Commissary Benefits in 2019

By

You’ve heard the hype. “Save incredible amounts of money at the commissary!” But do you know all the ways to make the most of your commissary benefits?

Listen, I’ve been there with you. When I started out, I wasn’t too sure about just what the commissary could do for me and my family.

Until I took my Mom on a shopping trip. Don’t worry, I paid. I asked her to guess the total for our trip. She was about $100 over. Her eyes got bigger and bigger as our cart was emptied, items scanned and the total was shown.

How To Make the Most of Your Commissary Benefits in 2019

Now, I’m a commissary convert – at least when it comes to certain things. I learned how to make the most of my commissary benefits. Now I’m sharing my best tips with you!

Check the Discount Shelves

Did you know that there is a discount shelf? Sometimes it’s a whole mini section! I swing through there once per visit. Usually, there are four parts to the discount section: frozen meat, cold/refrigerated items, bakery goods, and everything else found on shelves.

I find all sorts of goodies at a reduced cost, from gourmet bread to snacks for my kids to kitchen basics like trash bags.

Mostly, you’ll find goods that have been dinged up or have damaged packaging. The coffee pods inside are still 100% perfect, but the box makes them unsellable at the standard price.

Discounted items are generally not expired, but they might be close. So check the dates on everything that’s edible and plan accordingly.

Order Custom Meat Cuts Cheaper

We just did this over the holidays! For New Years Eve, we wanted to make prime rib, a cut thats not normally stocked in the meat section.

Sure, we could have gone out in town but the cost would have been a lot more. Actually, buying meat at the commissary generally is mostly cheaper than out in town with comparable quality. Don’t believe me? Do your own cost comparison!

Instead of going with a different cut or paying more, we simply asked the butcher. Yup, your commissary has a butcher or at the very least an employee who mans the meat section. We just told him the cut we needed, the approximate weight we wanted and an ideal pick-up date. Then we just showed up, got the meat and paid.

Done.

Plan Before You Shop & Save

Meal planning is such a time saver! It’s also great for reducing food waste and sticking to an eating plan, like whole foods or skipping gluten.

It’s easy to create your ideal meal plan in advance. You might even be able to save a little money in the bargain section, too!

First, use commissary sales fliers to find items that are at reduced prices. Then, see if there are any other discounts if you use your commissary rewards card. Use those as your anchor items and build your menu around that! If you’re feeling extra thrifty, you could even try to match on-sale commissary items with active coupons.

And if you’re located OCONUS, you can use coupons up to six months past their expiration date! Saving money for the win!

Shop for Staples

When I hit the commissary, I’m looking for those staple items. I fill my cart with things that I need routinely and that typically cost more in regular grocery stores.

At the commissary, I like to shop for toilet paper and paper towels, dairy products, and meat. My kids’ snacks are also much less expensive than local grocery stores, too.

Combine your major purchases with coupons for extra savings!

Look for Unique Items

Another great perk of the commissary is a super diverse international section. In many traditional supermarkets, you might find items from Asia or typical American-style Mexican cuisine. Of course, you’ll get a whole aisle for Italian food.

At the commissary, you can find everything from real Japanese ramen to authentic spotted dick (yeah, I know but it’s a real British food) to straight-from-Germany mustards. Every corner of the globe is covered in the commissary. That’s because our armed forces are located in every clime and place!

Plus, you can often find unique produce items that aren’t always available in the local stores. I’ve seen Okinawan sweet potatoes in SoCal!

Familiar & Friendly

I love to use my commissary benefits on the regular! So much so that some of the baggers know my kids on sight. It’s so nice to see friendly, familiar faces when we shop.

Plus, especially overseas, it’s nice to have access to my normal brands and foods that I can’t find on the economy. The extra savings doesn’t hurt either!

What are your favorite commissary benefits? Do you have secret money saving tips? Share your insights and stories with us!

Spice Up Your Diet with Healthy International Cuisine

By

Who said that diets needed to be bland or boring? You can totally eat delicious, flavorful dishes that are healthier for you!

Best of all, you can find all the ingredients you need for these yummy internationally-inspired dishes right at the commissary!

Spice Up Your Diet with Healthy International Cuisine

Yes, the commissary carries all the standard American basics: marshmallow fluff, Chef Boyardee and tons of peanut butter. In between all the basics are incredibly tasty international foods that will add variety and spice to your diet.

Many of these foods are connected to military duty stations around the world, from Asia to Europe and around the US, too.

Asian Cuisine to Enjoy Tonight

There are tons of duty stations through Asia, from South Korea all the way to Southeast Asia. The commissary carries a broad spectrum of cuisines and delicacies from all of these rich cultures.

Pick up a bottle of bulgogi sauce and thin cuts of steak. Marinate the steak in the sauce, then cook as preferred. Use your spiced up Korean-inspired steak to top a salad or rice bowl!

For salad, use whole peeled oranges, sliced radish, and slivered almonds to add crunch. In a rice bowl, top with kimchi, zucchini, and toasted sesame seeds.

You could also grab a package of noodles – ramen, udon, or soba – from Japan. Simmer your noodles in vegetable or chicken broth, or DIY your own soup base.

Serve them steaming hot in a bowl. Add in boiled eggs, pickled radish, bean sprouts and thin slices of meat like chicken or pork. You could even add tofu. It’s the ultimate Japanese comfort food on a chilly winter day!

Throughout Asia, stir fry is the quick meal of choice. It’s so simple to make and it’s a great way to use up leftovers.

In a hot pan, quickly cook up meat or tofu with the veggies of your choice. This is a great way to finish up leftover lean meats, like chicken or pork. You could add soy or teriyaki sauce, but it’s delicious with a little bit of ground ginger and sesame seeds, too.

Serve your stir fry with a bowl of rice, a side of noodles or as a stand-alone main dish.

Spicy Southeast Asian Cuisine

Even though Vietnam is known for balmy weather, soup is a mainstay of their traditional cuisine. Make your own pho at home with ingredients from the commissary!

Pick up rice noodles, fish sauce and the other ingredients in the baking and international aisles. You’ll love the delicious smells filling your kitchen while your soup simmers!


Photo Credit: © nblxer /Adobe Stock

Serve piping hot with traditional toppings, like spicy chilis, Thai basil, bean sprouts and sliced lime.

For a spicy appetizer, or main course, pick up rice paper wrappers and sweet chili dipping sauce. Make your own fresh spring rolls!

Follow the directions on the rice paper wrappers to prep them. Then fill each wrapper with thinly sliced fresh veggies, cooked shrimp or shredded chicken. Dip your spring rolls into the chili sauce for a yummy way to eat healthy!

Enjoy the Flavors of Germany

Germany might be known for sausages and beers, but there are healthier dishes mixed in. In fact, sauerkraut is known to be particularly good for improving digestion!

Whip up pork chops and sauerkraut for a taste of Germany wherever you are stationed! Bread pork chops and bake until golden brown. For a healthier option, skip the breading and grill your meat instead!

Serve with a hearty helping of sauerkraut, your favorite green vegetable and a side salad.

Make breakfast for dinner with German pancakes. You won’t even have to shop for special ingredients. Everything you need is probably already in your pantry.

Dish up your pancakes with a side of sliced fruit or scrambled eggs. And remember to go light on the syrup!

Bring English Food to Your Table

It’s a small but mighty nation with yummy food to match. Add a British twist to your table with healthy versions of classic foods.

Make your own lightened up fish and chips with frozen fish from the commissary. Choose a white fish, like cod or tilapia, that has already been cut into small filets.

Skip options that already have breading and do it yourself. Add just a light coating of flour along with salt and pepper. Bake until cooked through.

You could buy pre-made fries, like sweet potato or traditional crinkle cut fries. But it’s fun to DIY this, too! Slice potatoes into fry-sized strips, season and bake until golden brown.

Another great British choice is bangers and mash, or sausages and mashed potatoes.

Lighten this up by choosing turkey sausage and using mashed cauliflower or a cauliflower/potato blend. Skip the heavy cream and dairy by opting for vegetable broth and just butter in the mash. Add an extra helping of your favorite vegetables to fill your plate with healthy choices.

What delicious international cuisine have you discovered at the commissary? Share your best finds in the comments!

Host the Ultimate New Year’s Eve Party with Help from the Commissary

By

The countdown is on to 2019. That means it’s time to firm up your New Year’s Eve plans. Instead of fighting the crowds out and about, host your own fun and festive fete in the comfort of your own home!

Host the Ultimate New Year’s Eve Party with Help from the Commissary

Use this handy guide to help you throw a party to remember.

Logistics & Planning

Before you go crazy with party planning, let’s lay out some basics. Who, what, when, and what to wear.

Decide on your guest list. Go with just a few close friends for a smaller, intimate and super personal event. Or invite the whole neighborhood over for a major blow out bash!

Will your party be adults-only or are children welcome? Make that clear on your invites. Your guests will need time to find a good sitter.

Then decide if you’ll be dressing up or keeping it casual.

With a rough guest count, party formality, and child-friendly level determined, you’re ready to plan an awesome New Year’s Eve event! Look to your local commissary for great food options!

Formal & Festive Party Plan

Your party is child-free, or at least has kids supervised away from the adults-only gathering.

Drinks:

Keep your party popping with bubbly cocktails! Or try these simple mixes…

  • Mix creme de cassis into sparkling wine for a Kir Royale! Top with a fresh or frozen raspberry
  • Add a small scoop of lemon sorbet to a champagne flute. Top with a tsp of vodka, then finish with sparkling wine for a Sgroppino

Appetizers:

Make your small plates light and classic, think easy to eat while still being fancy.

  • Use puff pastry shells to make mini quiche, fill with spinach dip and top with melted cheese
  • Pan sear scallops and wrap in bacon before broiling briefly to finish cooking through
  • Set out a variety of cheeses, olives, pickles, and cured meats with tasty crackers

Main course:

If you’re having a sit-down dinner, consider serving a Smithfield ham with vegetables and mashed potatoes.

Try this brussels sprouts recipe:

You’ll need: 1-2 packages frozen brussels sprouts (or about 1-2 lbs fresh); 1 lb bacon; 2 cups dried cranberries; 2 cups chopped walnuts or nuts of your choice; maple syrup or molasses or brown sugar (your choice!)

  1. Set the oven to 400º. Slice fresh sprouts into quarters, leave frozen spouts whole for now. Spread evenly onto a rimmed baking sheet, season with salt and pepper to taste. Bake in oven for 15 min; remove and quickly slice frozen sprouts into quarters. Return and bake until the sprouts are starting to crisp.
  2. While the sprouts cook, prepare the bacon. Fry on the stove or bake in the oven (400º for about 15 min). Once crisp, roughly chop.
  3. In a medium pan, quickly brown the nuts and cranberries.
  4. Once the sprouts are starting to crisp, remove from oven. Add the chopped bacon and nut/cranberry mix, drizzle your sweetener (sugar, syrup, or molasses) over the top. Season with a sprinkle more of salt and pepper, to taste.
  5. Return to oven until fragrant and browned. Serve hot.

Dessert:

Stay classy with chocolate mousse cups!

DIY your own simple version with chocolate and vanilla pudding, whipped cream, cookies or cake, and candy sprinkles.

  1. Prepare your pudding as directed.
  2. Layer the pudding, cake or cookies, and whipped cream into small clear plastic cups.
  3. Top each dessert cup with a final flourish of whipped cream and add sparkle with the candy sprinkles.

Toast:

As midnight approaches, pass out another glass of sparkling wine or a champagne cocktail to your guests. Toast to the new year together!

Family-Friendly & Casual

For parties that include everyone, adults and kids, keep the atmosphere fun and festive with family-friendly food and drink options.

Drinks:

Treat your younger guests to fancy juice boxes, warm apple cider, or sparkling juices.

Adults could choose from a selection of local wine and beer. Help everyone try new things by inviting guests to share their favorite brews and bottles!

Another option is a self-serve bar. Set out the ingredients, and recipes, for classic cocktails and let your guests help themselves.

  • Tonics: 2 oz gin or vodka, 4-5 oz tonic water, garnish with lime
  • Old Fashioned: one sugar cube, 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters, 2 oz Bourbon or Rye whiskey; add to a rocks glass with several ice cubes, garnish with cherries and an orange slice
  • Gin Martini: shake 3 oz gin with 1 oz sweet vermouth in a cocktail shaker with ice; pour into a martini glass, garnish with olives or a lemon slice
  • Selection of whiskey, scotch, vodka, and rum plus mixers and garnish

Appetizers:

Nibble on finger foods that both kids and adults will enjoy!

  • Mini weiners: cook mini hot dogs in a sweet and smoky BBQ sauce; serve hot
  • Meat & cheese plate: slice a selection of cheeses and serve with cured meats, pickles, olives, and crackers
  • Chips & dips: serve potato, tortilla, and pita chips with dips like ranch, French onion, salsa, and hummus

Main Course:

Set up a potluck buffet and invite guests to bring their crowd-pleasing favorite side dish to share! Set up a few mains to help round out the menu.

  • Mini chicken parm: in a 9×13 baking dish, arrange a single layer of precooked frozen chicken snacks from the freezer section; cover with prepared tomato sauce and top with cheese; cook at 350° until cheese is bubbly and chicken is heated through
  • Turkey meatballs: cook turkey meatballs in a prepared tomato sauce; serve with sliced buns and shredded cheese for sandwiches or pasta
  • Sliders: prepare precooked frozen mini burgers according to the package; serve with additional toppings, like pickles or ketchup

Dessert:

Make dessert super easy and sure to please with low-prep classics.

  • Fruit pies: enjoy fresh pie, straight from the oven, with frozen prepared holiday pies; serve with whipped cream
  • Pudding pie: prepare pudding as directed, then pour into a graham cracker crust; chill until slightly firm and top with whipped cream
  • DIY sundae bar: serve a selection of traditional ice cream flavors and set out different toppings, like syrup, nuts, and sprinkles; invite your guests to design their own sweet treat

Toast:

If any little ones make it to midnight, pop a bottle of sparkling juice, like grape juice or apple cider. They’ll feel extra fancy if you serve it in plastic champagne flutes!

Adults can toast with their favorite sparkling wine or a champagne cocktail.

How will you ring in 2019? Share your best New Year’s Eve party tricks and tips in the comments!

A Commissary Rib Roast

By

One Family’s Holiday Tradition

By Marguerite Cleveland

I am the daughter of an exceptional cook. My mother, Marguerite Daigle’s roots were in Louisiana where culinary excellence is a quality most residents seem to be born with. Although born in the south my Mom honed her craft as a military spouse where she was the Queen of cultural appropriation when it came to food. We grew up eating a variety of food from all over the world. She took the time to learn new dishes whenever she visited exotic places or learned from other military spouses. One thing she served as a special holiday treat was a rib roast also known as prime rib. It was always purchased from the commissary because as she said, “They have the best meat.”

It is a tradition I carry on with my own family now that I am also a military spouse. A rib roast is a wonder to behold, a delectable cut of meat but it comes at a heart wrenching price.  At civilian grocery stores prices range from $10 – $13 a pound for a choice rib roast. So for an 8lb roast you are looking at $80 – $104 for the cut of beef. You definitely want to purchase Choice not Select quality; it really does make a difference. For the past few years our local commissary has offered a special each December on Choice Rib Roast for $5.99 a pound. This cuts the price in ½ and I often buy one to freeze. When you spend this much on a cut of meat you expect it to be good and I have always had great luck at the commissary. In all the years my mother and I have made this dish we’ve never purchased one at the commissary that hasn’t been the best quality and tenderness.

Many may not know that your commissary can take special orders at the meat department. Each one seems to have its own rules so check to find out the procedure. I have had good and bad experiences at different bases. Currently it is super easy. I just ring the bell by the meat department and someone will usually come out and just cut my order for me. It also depends on how busy they are. You may have to complete your shopping and come back or put in an order for a later date. When ordering a rib roast don’t make the mistake I did when the butcher asks how many ribs? I thought, well one rib per person which is a lot of meat but I was too embarrassed to say anything. Typically the roasts are purchased in 3 to 4 ribs. A 3 rib roast is about 6 to 7 pounds.

So how do you cook this thing? It’s actually very simple and the less you do to it the better. Two important tips make sure you have a good meat thermometer and make sure you take the roast out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes to an hour.  Most recipes call for cooking the roast on a higher heat of 450-500 degrees and then lowering to 325 to slow roast. You want to cook the roast until it reaches 120 and then let it rest and the temperature will rise to 130 which is medium rare. I just prep the roast by rubbing it with olive oil and then covering with either coarse sea salt and black pepper or Montreal steak seasoning. Most general cookbooks will have a recipe or check online. I usually search for the best recipe for… and have found great recipes. There are also You-Tube videos so you can see how it should look.

So this holiday season visit the meat department at your local commissary and start your own family tradition.

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.WanderWordsWine.com

 

Smithfield Foods Hosts ‘Bacon for Life’ Sweepstakes

By

ATTENTION ALL BACON LOVERS! Did you know you could enter to win a lifetime of FREE BACON? Yes, that’s right, we said free bacon for life!

Smithfield Foods is hosting the ‘Bacon for Life’ Sweepstakes and one Grand Prize Winner will receive a lifetime of free bacon. Can you imagine what you could do with free bacon for life? BLT’s, bacon topped soups, bacon wrapped pork, maple bacon donuts, bacon, egg & cheese sandwiches, asparagus wrapped in bacon, baked bacon, bacon wrapped scallops, fried bacon, bacon and eggs, bacon and grits, bacon on the side, bacon wrapped figs, candied bacon, bacon for breakfast, bacon for lunch and bacon for dinner! The list goes on…get inspired by one of Smithfield’s recipes here.

Even if you’re not lucky enough to become the One Grand Prize Winner and earn free bacon for life, Smithfield Foods will award five First Prize Winners with a year of free bacon. Five Second Prize Winners will be awarded a bacon bicycle. Ten Third Prize Winners will receive a cornhole board. Five hundred Fourth Prize Winners will be awarded bacon pint glasses. And five hundred Fifth Prize Winners will receive bacon slap koozies. That’s A LOT of bacon swag!

 

Don’t wait! Enter now. Here’s how:

  1. Purchase or Mail In (No Purchase Necessary)
  2. Enter Code
  3. Chance to Win

Sweepstakes ends December 31, 2018 11:59 p.m. E.T. *For more details and Official Rules, visit www.baconforlifesweeps.com

Celebrating Military Families: In November Commissaries Recognize Uniqueness, Sacrifices of Service Lifestyle

By

 

NEWS RELEASE

Defense Commissary Agency

Corporate Communications

1300 E Avenue, Fort Lee, VA 23801-1800

Tel: (804) 734-8000, Ext. 8-6105  DSN: 687-8000, Ext. 8-6105

FAX: (804) 734-8248 DSN: 687-8248

www.commissaries.com

 

 

Release Number:         74-18                                                                                                                       

Date:                              October 25, 2018

Media Contact:             Kevin L. Robinson, public affairs specialist

Tel.:                                (804) 734-8000, Ext. 4-8773

E-mail:                           kevin.robinson@deca.mil

 

Celebrating military families

In November, commissaries recognize uniqueness, sacrifices of service lifestyle

By Kathy Milley,

DeCA Corporate Communications

 

FORT LEE, Va. – Military life is not easy on families. Theirs is an ever-changing environment brought on by continuous military moves. It means frequent extended absences of a spouse.

For Lisa Molinari, who writes the military family blog “The Meat and Potatoes of Life,” it meant difficulties maintaining a legal career with such a transient lifestyle – 11 moves within eight different locations. It also meant caring for a special needs son while in duty stations with limited services.

“It’s the little things and frankly, when someone tells my husband – or even me – ‘Thank you for your service,’ this means so much more than one might expect,” said Lisa Molinari, a long-time Navy spouse.

“We know the challenges of a 28-year military career, so when someone acknowledges that a military family has made sacrifices to serve the country, it is very meaningful and appreciated.”

During November’s celebration of Military Family Month, the Defense Commissary Agency offers its thanks in acknowledgement of all those emotional goodbyes, transitions and sacrifices that are part of military service life, said Defense Commissary Agency Deputy Director Michael Dowling.

“We are proud to serve our resilient military families, understanding the stresses they endure,” Dowling said. “Striving to provide a valuable benefit, we work hard every day to say thank you by bringing a feeling of home to our military families no matter where in the world they may be.”

Commissary support goes far to inject a sense of normalcy in the unusual situations that military families face wherever they’re stationed, Molinari said.

“With all the instability of military life due to frequent changes in location, schools and homes, commissaries provided a bit of consistency that was always comforting,” said Molinari.

“No matter where we lived,” she added, “I was able to shop at a commissary and not feel lost – I knew the routine, I knew the products, I knew the prices and I knew that someone would always bag my groceries for me. Sometimes it’s the little things that keep a military spouse from going crazy.”

Anyone, even those not military affiliated, can give a military family the feeling of home by sending them a commissary gift card offered for purchase by authorized patrons at every store worldwide and by anyone online at commissaries.com.

-DeCA-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Online Shopping Simplified: October 1 Marks First Day for Patron Access to Benefit

By

 

NEWS RELEASE

Defense Commissary Agency

Corporate Communications

1300 E Avenue, Fort Lee, VA 23801-1800

Tel: (804) 734-8000, Ext. 8-6105  DSN: 687-8000, Ext. 8-6105

FAX: (804) 734-8248 DSN: 687-8248

www.commissaries.com

 

 

Release Number:         66-18                                                                                                                       

Date:                              September 27, 2018

Media Contact:             Kevin L. Robinson, public affairs specialist

Tel.:                                (804) 734-8000, Ext. 4-8773

E-mail:                           kevin.robinson@deca.mil

 

Online shopping simplified

Oct. 1 marks new day for patron access to benefit

By Jessica Rouse,

DeCA public affairs specialist

 

FORT LEE, Va. – The Defense Commissary Agency’s new customer portal, MyCommissary, launches Oct. 1, laying the foundation for more ways to shop and offering patrons access to their commissary’s biweekly sales flyer. In the future, customers will also be able to check their online shopping history, create shopping lists, read and submit product reviews and view product and pricing information.

“More and more of our patrons are accessing our website before they travel to their commissary,” said Hector Granado, DeCA marketing director. “With the launch of the MyCommissary portal, we are making their online shopping experience easier and more efficient.”

It’s easy to use. An initial sign-up is required the first time patrons access MyCommissary. During sign up, customers will enter their address, first and last name, date of birth and the last four digits of their social security number. It’s a one-time authentication – once customers sign up they will not need to do so again to navigate the portal’s different features.

“We know our patrons place a high value on keeping their information private,” Granado said. “They can rest assured that the information is only being collected to confirm their eligibility for the benefit.”

The portal will create no changes for patrons who currently use CLICK2GO, DeCA’s online ordering and pick up service, offered at Fort Lee, Virginia, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, and Travis Air Force Base, California. Users only need to log into MyCommissary first to access the service or continue to log in directly from commissaries.com.

“One of the more notable changes will be the transition of the Commissary Rewards Card,” said Granado. “When patrons sign up for MyCommissary we encourage them to also update their rewards card to the new system.”

Patrons with active Commissary Rewards Cards should take note of the following information:

  • Beginning at 12 a.m. EST, Sept. 30, there will be a 24-hour outage for the current rewards card website. During that time, accessing the rewards card or clipping new coupons will not be available.
  • Any coupons already loaded to a card, but not redeemed, will be available for use until the expiration date.
  • Beginning Oct. 1, patrons can update their rewards card number within the MyCommissary portal using the number on the back of the card including the leading “4” and the following 10 digits.

For more questions about the rewards card, call 855-829-6219 (the phone number on the back of all rewards cards). For all other questions, use the Customer Comment Form.

-DeCA-

 

 

 

 

 

Thinking Outside the Box: Commissaries.com Offers Shopping Lists, Recipes

By

 

NEWS RELEASE

Defense Commissary Agency

Corporate Communications

1300 E Avenue, Fort Lee, VA 23801-1800

Tel: (804) 734-8000, Ext. 8-6105  DSN: 687-8000, Ext. 8-6105

FAX: (804) 734-8248 DSN: 687-8248

www.commissaries.com

 

 

Release Number:         62-18                                                                                                                       

Date:                              September 13, 2018

Media Contact:             Kevin L. Robinson, public affairs specialist

Tel.:                                (804) 734-8000, Ext. 4-8773

E-mail:                           kevin.robinson@deca.mil

 

‘Thinking Outside the Box’

Commissaries.com offers shopping lists, recipes

for nutritious family meals

By Kathy Milley,

DeCA Corporate Communications

FORT LEE, Va. – Military families have very busy lives and juggling commitments can often come at the expense of family meals at home. Recipes and other resources found on commissaries.com ease the work involved to make those meals happen, which is good since September is National Family Meals Month.

“Research indicates that regular family meals lead to higher grades and self-esteem, healthier eating habits and weights, and less risky behavior in children, “ said Deborah Harris, the Defense Commissary Agency’s registered dietitian. “Adults eat healthier and consume fewer calories as well.”

To make it easier, DeCA has created dietitian-approved “Thinking Outside the Box” recipes and has prepared a complete dinner menu including weekly shopping lists for an entire month of family meals with links to the family-friendly, healthy recipes featured on commissaries.com. This venue offers quick and easy meal solutions featuring ingredients on sale at your commissary saving time and money.

“Designed with busy families in mind, there is a large assortment of easy-to-prepare, dietitian-approved meals, many of which are customizable for picky eaters, always one click away on commissaries.com,” Harris said. “We are continually adding new healthy recipes to ensure our military families stay healthy and save big.”

-DeCA-

 

 

Happy Birthday! Commissaries Honor Air Force’s 71 Years of Service

By

NEWS RELEASE

Defense Commissary Agency

Corporate Communications

1300 E Avenue, Fort Lee, VA 23801-1800

Tel: (804) 734-8000, Ext. 8-6105  DSN: 687-8000, Ext. 8-6105

FAX: (804) 734-8248 DSN: 687-8248

www.commissaries.com

 

 

Release Number:         61-18                                                                                                                       

Date:                              September 13, 2018

Media Contact:             Kevin L. Robinson, public affairs specialist

Tel.:                                (804) 734-8000, Ext. 4-8773

E-mail:                           kevin.robinson@deca.mil

 

Happy birthday!

Commissaries honor Air Force’s 71 years of service

By Tamara Eastman,

DeCA historian

 

Note: To watch a video on DeCA’s YouTube page related to the Air Force, press the “Ctrl” key and click on the photo, or go to

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wzp1BZnv_jU.

 

For photos on DeCA’s Flickr page, go to

https://www.flickr.com/photos/commissary/sets/72157695208707830.

 

 

FORT LEE, Va. – On Sept.18, the U.S. Air Force will celebrate its 71st birthday. On that date in 1947, W. Stuart Symington, who had previously been the Assistant Secretary of War for Air, was sworn in as secretary for the newly created armed services branch, the U.S. Air Force.

      The Army Air Forces was disbanded upon the creation of the U.S. Air Force, and the Air Force inherited the previous branch’s facilities, including their commissaries.

The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) salutes the Air Force community on their service’s anniversary, which from the start has been served by commissaries worldwide.

Air Force commissaries were initially supplied by the Army Quartermaster Corps until the Air Force took over running them independently. Shelf-stocking and commodity-purchasing decisions were made at store level.

The Air Force commissaries proved to be most beneficial to military families deployed overseas with the occupying forces in Japan and Germany.

The commissary benefit has helped greatly with the recruitment and retention of the all-volunteer military which went into effect in 1973. In 1976, the formation of the Air Force Commissary Service (AFCOMS) centralized control for all Air Force commissaries, which numbered 181 at the time, under one service, headquartered at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas.

As recently as the late 1980s, there was little standardization, no uniformity, no continuity of operations and no career path for commissary workers – civilian or military. DeCA was formed in October 1991, tasked with centralizing all of the service commissaries into one agency.

Today, DeCA provides the commissary benefit for all military services and provides patrons thousands of dollars in savings each year when compared to civilian supermarkets.

Since 1947 members of the United States Air Force have established a superb record of valor, sacrifice and honor and have served honorably during and after the Cold War, during the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and are still serving proudly today.

-DeCA-