DeCA employees were extended the benefit of shopping at military commissaries starting on June 30, 2018. This policy change sparked some serious debate among our MilitaryShoppers community!
There were readers on both sides of the debate.
Some felt very strongly that allowing commissary employees to shop where they work was common sense.
Others disagreed, saying that commissary benefits are a privilege earned through service to our country.
What Our Readers Said About the Policy Change for DeCA Employees
Former service member and current DeCA employee, David Shingleton thought that the move was fair.
“I went to work at DeCA in 2016 and served over eight years in the military and I am 40% service connected disabled,” Shingleton said. “I think being able to shop will help with employee morale and give us a sense of ownership. Many of us at DeCA are veterans that wish we could shop before being allowed to do it as a DeCA employee.”
Shingleton pointed out that exchange employees already have this controversial benefit.
He also said that he wants greater access to those who have served in the military but don’t qualify for commissary privileges.
“Purple Heart recipients, as well as service-connected disabled veterans regardless of rating, should be allowed to shop at commissaries and exchanges,” he said. “Not all will (shop at the commissaries); if they don’t live near a base, it’s not like it will over-run the system and drive up costs like some say.”
George Page agreed with Shingleton. He offered a suggestion to those who disagree with the new policy.
“If you don’t want workers to have the same benefits then restrict the hiring to those that have the same privilege,” Page stated. “I’m an Army vet, 8.5 yrs (service), worked for DeCA off (and) on since the ’80s. Never got to shop there but rules (are) rules.”
Commissary Benefits Extended to DeCA Employees, Not Their Families or Commissary Baggers
There are nearly 14,000 commissary employees worldwide. Approximately 50% are already qualified to shop at the commissary as military dependents or retired service members. This new policy affects the remaining 7,000 civilian employees. It does not apply to baggers, who are technically not employed by DeCA and only work for cash tips.
This new benefit applies only to DeCA employees, not their spouses or children. When they are no longer DeCA employees, they will no longer be able to shop at the commissary.
You can read all the comments about this policy change here.
Commissary employees will only be able to purchase groceries. They are not able to purchase tobacco or other controlled substances. As wine and beer begin to be sold at commissaries in the next 90 days, these products will also be off-limits.
The rationale behind this policy change was to give commissary employees more ownership in the stores where they work. It was also a logistical decision.
They work at a grocery store all day, but get off work and need to drive to a different store to pick up milk or eggs.
Readers Support Extending Commissary Privileges to Purple Heart Recipients
Perhaps restricting commissary employment to eligible shoppers might be a common point of agreement. Another idea was that shopping privileges be extended based on length of service.
“I think it should still be an earned privilege; a reward for say three or five years of employment,” explained Teresa. “Most of our store workers are well over that anyway, but I think they would agree. I also think that those with a service-related disability should have full privilege. It’s not like they decided to just quit (the military). My own family was lucky. (M)y hubby was over 20 years when he was injured so he was medically retired instead of discharged.”
Most commenters felt that extending privileges to commissary employees was unfair. Many readers feel that commissary shopping benefits are earned and shouldn’t be granted to non-eligible commissary employees.
“The PX and commissary privileges are just that. A privilege earned by service in the military,” James said. “It should be by, for, and exclusively military. By adding yet another group we are diluting this privilege.”
“If said employee has not earned that right to shop at the commissary, it should not be given,” said Karin. “It is a privilege, whether I earned it or I’m a dependent.”
Karin also suggested that disabled veterans and certain other groups should be granted access as a result of honorable military service.
“Purple Heart recipients and disabled veterans, sure,” she said. “They have earned it, some by barely escaping that ultimate sacrifice.”
I’m surprised that they weren’t allowed to shop in the “supermarket” where they worked. If anything they should have been allowed to at least buy their lunches there in the form of prepared foods, juices, milk or soda. I’m glad to hear they are now getting the rights to shop in the commissary if they did not have those rights already as spouses and dependents’ of actual members of the military.
I agree. DeCA employees have not earned the privilege to shop where they work. They are employees or paid help and not retirees or active duty personnel. It is sort of like me getting a job at the CIA and then having access to everything at the CIA.
I AM A 29 YEAR AF RETIREE. BENEFITS FOR EXCHANGES, COMMISSARIES, MWR FACILITIES SHOULD ALL BE THE SAME.
DON’T DILUTE THE PRIVELEGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m sorry but I don’t agree with DECA employees being allowed to shopped at the commissary when there are veterans that did not retire and they can’t even use the commissary unless they are 100% disable thru VA.
If they want to pay higher prices and not shop at Walmart or Kroger that’s their business! At one time long long ago you did save money at the commissary, PX, and class VI. But no more.
I think DECA employees should be allowed it makes sense. Any good employer would want their workers to shop where they work. My husband served on active duty in the USAF FOR 28 years and he agrees with me
No they don’t deserve that privilege. Who cares if they have to go and shop at another store when they are of work!. So does the rest of the others people who don’t deserve to shop at DeCa.
If they are NOT eligible by being Military Active or Retired and carry a DOD ID they should not be allowed to shop the commissary! It was not earned by them.
How could anyone have a problem with this. I doubt if this will make a difference to the everyday shoppers. If the managers would eliminate the “EXTRA” shoppers then things would run smoothly. I shop at the commissary on a weekly basis and have seen a man pushing a cart with an infant in it and a lady and 4 children following along. stops up an isle.
My personal opinion is that anyone who has served in the military, national guards or otherwise should be able to shop at the commissary with out conditions put on them as long as they are serving, 100% disabled, or retired from service.
Employees knew upon hiring they couldn’t shop there and I see it as a earned privilege by serving your country.
DECA employees get paid to work there and should have good morale standards all the time.
I agree it is a privilege earned by serving in the military period
I believe I earned those rights. I was at war, I served my country, I traveled many places without my family. This right should only be given to me and my other brothers and sisters in arms.
While I have nothing against commissary employees, they have done NOTHING to earn this privilege.
To be honest I always thought they had that privilege at least for groceries. I don’t see anything wrong with the idea as long as they are paying the same prices and military and retired military are paying.. My wife when we first met worked for the Exchange and was allowed to shop there,She even had a brown ID even though she was not connected to the military.
No, I don’t think it’s fare at all. None of these employees can be deployed or even transferred to another state or overseas. Their children don’t get moved from one school or another and constantly leaving friends behind.. This is an earned benefit that they have not earned!!!
I think it would be more acceptable if you didn’t say no to service connected disabled veterans. How can you say yes to employees but no to service connected disabled veterans who are mostly on a fixed income and could really benefit from such a thing as commissary benefits and yes to DECA employees?
No they should not. They should be glad they have a job. It should be earned.
This is solely based on my opinion and my experiences . So part of making this a benefit for the employees is because they are already doing it on the down low with people who are authorized to shop. They seem to hook each other up in the meat and sea food departments.
So who’s to say the employees won’t start marking items down to purchase later from the scratch and dent section. Or the shelves won’t be empty of products that is needed by military families? Or items won’t be held in the back so they can purchase the deal of the day.
If you think the employees won’t shop for their families or friends then you’re mistaken. So maybe there needs to be some safe guards in place. Here are some suggestions.
50.00 limit per week or two weeks.
Purchases must be rang up by a supervisor or at the courtesy desk. Put limits on the amount of meat or in demand items.
However this policy has been put in place but if you give people an inch they will take a mile. Let’s hope that employees will be mindful and respectful of the other people who shop there as well.
Yes!! It’s about time! They deserve it.
THIS CHANGE IS A DISGRACE TO ANYONE WHO HAS SERVED AND RETIRED. I SERVED 32 YEARS, AND I AM SUPPOSED TO FEEL SORRY THAT A COMMISSARY EMPLOYEE (WHO HAS A JOB WITH BENEFITS) HAS TO STOP AT A GROCERY STORE ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK? ARE YOU KIDDING ME. HOW CAN YOU MAKE THESE KIND OF CHANGES WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM THOSE WHO EARNED THE COMMISSARY PRIVILEGE.
LT COL GEORGE R. ARMSTRONG, USAF RET
I think any one will that has done any time in any kind of service should be alowed
The decision has already been made and put into effect. Why are you asking for our opinion now? It won’t change anything. This is just more dilution of benefits earned (and promised) for putting their lives on the line serving their country.
This should never been allowed. This has been and should have stayed at benefit for active duty and retired military.
personally I don’t think it’s right that you grant access to employees but you don’t grant access to baggers,
if you do one you should do the other that’s only fair. eventually the baggers are going to blow steam. you don’t want to say there employees because if you do then you have to have pay for there medical benefits.
I know one base I went to the baggers got paid hourly they didn’t work for tips. if that’s the case with the navy commissaries then employee the baggers and pay them hourly wages. make it fair across the board.
It’s a privilege earned to shop at the commissary. Only active-duty service members, guard and reservists, retirees, medical retirees, veterans 100 percent disabled due to service, Medal of Honor, gold star widows recipients and all of their respective dependents should be the only people allowed to shop at the commissaries. People that have not earned the privilege should not be allowed to shop at the commissaries. People now a days feel they are entitled to benefits/privileges that they have not earned.
This is the right thing to do for Deca employees, but I as a disabled veterinarian of 30 percent can not shop at the commissary is disrespectful and slap in the face, after 8 years of service and a medical discharge I have not that right.
I thought they already had the privilege. I personally think all veteran’s should be able to shop at the commissary whether they are retired or not. They should come first before people that work at the commissary.
They are paid to work there. Some are dependents anyway. .Others need to earn the privilege like the rest of us did. I don’t understand why this needs changed unless it is a money thing.
I dont believe the privilege should be extended to DECA or commissary employees based on their employment. The privilege should be extended for VA disability recipients..
If you want to shop on base then you should have stayed in and retired.
Beer and wine sales. Isn’t there enough alcohol sales on military bases? The latest changes to commissaries are to make the aisles wider. The building is the same size. Add an aisle for beer and wine and where do you place the items that were originally on those shelves? Correct-you remove many items that we go to the commissary to buy-namely food items. I vote against alcohol sales in the commissary. You are not doing any favors to the families that do their shopping at the Commissary.
If you were prior military and served in the military and are now a DeCa employee, I’m ok with getting the privilege to shop at the commissary.
It is a benefit to those families and military service member that was willing to give of their own life for our freedom.
However if you are simply a DeCa employee and aren’t tied to the military from being a prior service member or a direct family member of the person serving then no, I don’t believe you should be given the opportunity to shop. Leave it to those who truly served.
DeCA SHOULD NOT BE GRANTED ACCESS TO COMMISSARY !!!!! PERIOD !!!….OR I WILL QUIT USING COMMISSARY…I AM AN 100% DISABLED VIETNAM VET !!!!