Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

Our Favorite Feel-Good Commissary Stories

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The commissary stocks your favorite foods. From fresh deli meats to moist birthday cakes, the commissary carries nearly everything a military family needs to bring the flavors of home to their homes.

These stores are so much more than just the items on their shelves. It’s the people we meet and personal connections we make that keep us going back time and again. We asked our readers to share their favorite feel-good commissary stories with us. Here’s what they said.

Our Favorite Feel-Good Commissary Stories

Always On

When the power went out at the air base in Incirlik, Turkey, this July, all military personnel and their families were left in the dark. The commissary still had full power, thanks to an independent generator. In the middle of the political turmoil, families were unable to charge their cell phones or use the internet to connect with loved ones back home.

So the commissary set out chairs, power cords and shared the store’s Wi-Fi with the community. Service members and families could swing in for pantry staples and get in touch with their families stateside. Plus, the commissary was the only open building with air conditioning!

Paying It Forward

Our budgets are often tight, even with a consistent paycheck coming in. It can make buying essentials, like milk or diapers, challenging for many military families.

Near Fort Bliss in Texas, the local Fox affiliate stopped into the base commissary to surprise military families by picking up their tabs. At the register, they stopped several customers and offered to pay for everything in their shopping carts. Just as a way of saying “Thank you for your service.”

One young mother explained a little bit more about her tight budget. The Fox team sent her back into the commissary to load her cart with diapers and milk for the kids. Then they paid for the whole thing!

Littlest Helpers

It’s the little things that make commissary trips or any shopping trip with kids easier.

Lizann, a military spouse, told me about a special connection between their son and one grocery bagger. On every grocery trip, this military spouse makes sure to be in this bagger’s line. This bagger remembers their little boy and lets him help her bag their groceries. She always greets him by name and often gives him a sticker.

It’s a great reward for helping his parents!

Special Attention

A military spouse on a specific diet in a new place can be a struggle. When one military spouse needed to skip the rice on her sushi, the kind people at the sushi counter were more than ready to help her.

They created special sashimi plates for her, with just fish and no rice. They also shared the nutritional labels for all of their products with her.

And every time she goes in, the sushi staff chats with her about her day!

Food Requests

Speaking of special diets, it can be costly to adhere to an exclusionary meal plan. One spouse was paying very high prices for non-dairy items out in town. And she was having to make multiple trips to different stores to track down specific products, Meg told me.

While grabbing some items in the dairy section one day, she bumped into the section manager. She shared her frustration about the lack of non-dairy yogurt with him.

The manager checked with the suppliers to see if the product was available for stocking. It was!

Less than 2 weeks later, her specially requested non-dairy item was on the shelves! Plus, the department started adding even more dairy-free products.

Touch of Home

On a 6-month tour in Italy, having a commissary with American food items helped one veteran feel more connected to home.

On weekends, he and his friends would go to the commissary and load up on their favorites. Then they would cook and eat together. It helped these troops to feel more connected to home, especially when stationed overseas.

For families with small children, it is also important to have the same foods no matter where they live. Being able to open the pantry and make macaroni and cheese while living in Japan is comforting.

The commissary also makes it easier to take new favorites with you. The diversity and depth of their international foods aisle makes it simpler to create authentic Spanish, Japanese or German meals while living in Kansas.

Recognition

Murphy’s Law struck one military spouse less than 24 hours after her husband left for his deployment.

While buying essentials at the commissary, she discovered that her military dependent ID card was missing. She searched high and low: in the car, in her purse and all around the store. Even retracing her steps in the parking lot. Nothing.

And her groceries were still sitting in the cart. Her face was burning with embarrassment!

Luckily, the commissary manager saw her predicament.

“I know you. You shop here all the time. You’re good!”

With groceries purchased, she finally found the missing ID in the parking lot of her children’s school! And never forgot this act of kindness.

Do you have a feel-good commissary story? Share it in the comments section.

Dear DeCA, Please Expand the Click2Go Program

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If I had the option of going inside my commissary or shopping online for groceries with curbside pickup, I would opt for the convenience of the curbside pickup. Every. Single. Time.

That’s why when the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) announced the pilot program for Click2Go, the commissary’s online shopping and curbside pickup program, I was doing my happy dance inside my kitchen. Sure, DeCA was doing the pilot program at only 3 locations – Fort Lee, Va., Travis Air Force Base, Calif. and Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., but I was convinced that my commissary at Fort Detrick, Md., would be next in line.

Turns out my happy dance was a little premature.

Currently DeCA doesn’t have any plans to expand the Click2Go program, but the agency also doesn’t have any plans to eliminate the program.

I feel like it’s one of those military moments of “It is what it is” logic. It’s good for the people stationed at those 3 locations that offer Click2Go. But for the rest of us, don’t hold your breath.

Yet this optimistic commissary shopper isn’t giving up on her hope for Click2Go. I believe in the success of the Click2Go program and maybe all DeCA needs is a little nudge of positive reinforcement. Well here it is.

3 Reasons Why DeCA Should Consider Expanding the Click2Go Program

Convenience for Commissary Shoppers

I truly want to shop at the commissary, but sometimes pesky excuses get between me and its sliding doors.

Here’s an example of how these mental roadblocks go down inside my head:

I need to go to the commissary but…

  • I don’t have enough time to go and pick up my daughter from school.
  • My baby is napping. I really don’t want to take him out of his car seat.
  • It’s raining.
  • It’s snowing.
  • I don’t have cash to tip the baggers.
  • It’s payday. That place is going to be a zoo.

If I had the option of Click2Go, I would jump over those mental roadblocks with this simple phrase –

I’ll use Click2Go.

Boom. Mic drop. Done. No more excuses not to go the commissary.

Competition with Other Curbside Pickup Options

Click2Go isn’t the only curbside pickup game in town. You, like me, most likely have other curbside pickup options in your city. Many national grocery stores offer this service and many military spouses are taking advantage of this convenience.

That’s money that should be going to the commissary. But it isn’t. Why? People will pay for convenience. If the Click2Go program was expanded to more commissaries, more patrons could have the best of whole worlds –convenience combined with the competitive pricing offered at the commissary.

Listening Earns Loyalty

Every time I see a military spouse posting on Facebook that she’s “in love with the curbside pickup” at another store, it’s a sign that DeCA needs to expand its Click2Go program.

Customers are looking for a curbside pickup option, no matter, where they shop. When MilitaryShoppers asked commissary patrons what types of changes they would like to see at their commissary, they said that they want to see the Click2Go program expanded to more commissaries.

Making changes based on customer feedback earns customer loyalty. We know that the Department of Defense and DeCA are these massive government agencies and 9 times out of 10 we feel like our opinions don’t matter to the leadership. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Wouldn’t it be awesome if DeCA embraced this trend in convenient shopping options and expanded its Click2Go program? They already developed a pilot program. The pilot program is working. The pilot program is continuing at those 3 locations.

Now we just need to see it at 284 locations. Is that too much to ask?

Have you used DeCA’s Click2Go services? Would you use this service if it was available at your commissary? Learn more about Click2Go here.

Case Lot Sales Are Back!

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September’s around the corner and the kids will be back to school sooner than you think. It’s time to stock your pantry with snack and lunch items. What better place to do it then at the upcoming Case Lot Sales?   With savings high and prices low, Case Lot Sales are the perfect solution to help you prepare for the upcoming school year. So go ahead…

Stock Up and Save!

Visit the Case Lot Sale store dates page for your local commissary sale dates.

What items will you see at a Case Lot Sale?

The Case Lot Sales offer items that you typically find at club stores, as well as individually packaged items that can be bought in bulk.  These sales are a great opportunity to stock up on a wide variety of pantry items at discounted prices.

Don’t miss out on your local commissaries Case Lot Sales! For additional information on the upcoming Customer Appreciation Case Lot Sales, please visit the DeCA website.

Forget the Takeout: 5 Quick Meals from Your Commissary

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Life gets super busy, especially when you are working around often intense military schedules.

Takeout is super easy. After all, it is just a phone call away! But ordering takeout regularly can get expensive and the food choices are not always the most nutritious.

Luckily, your local commissary has awesome and convenient options to create healthy meals in minutes.

Soup and Sammies

First stop, the soup aisle. Be on the lookout for heat-and-eat soups, either canned or boxed, that strike your fancy. I love the bisque-style soups, especially the butternut squash soup or the roasted red pepper. Other great choices literally line the aisles. From your basic chicken noodle soup to organic limited ingredient creations, you can find a soup that appeals to you!

Next, head over to the deli at the commissary. Here you have 2 options: DIY sandwich spread or custom deli-made.

To create your own sandwich station, pick a few sliced lunchmeats and cheeses from the deli case. Some of my favorites are Boar’s Head roast beef and Echrich honey ham. My husband loves Land O’Lakes American and any kind of Swiss cheese.

Once you have your meats and cheeses, pop over to the bakery for a fresh baked gourmet loaf or swing through the bread aisle for your favorite sandwich-making brand.

Finally, grab some toppings: beefsteak tomatoes for slicing, lettuce, pickles or banana peppers. With the condiments you likely already stock at home, your DIY soup and sandwich night is taken care of!

For something even easier, order your sandwiches right at the deli! They will custom make individual sandwiches or even party platters with a little advance notice.

Chicken Dinner

A nice chicken dinner is super comforting, but it’s time consuming to roast the bird and prep all the sides. Instead, grab a ready-made rotisserie chicken near the deli.

In the refrigerated aisle of your commissary, pick up a container of pre-made mashed potatoes or macaroni and cheese. A trip down the freezer aisle will net you some veggies that you can steam in your microwave. I love peas and mushrooms or buttery corn!

With 3 quick stops, your easy chicken dinner is ready to go!

If you have leftovers, your next meal is also super simple: use shredded rotisserie chicken, a carton of chicken stock and a bag of frozen mixed veggies, plus some diced onion and garlic. Toss it all in a pot and simmer for 30 to 45 minutes. Voila, homemade chicken soup!

For easy chicken pot pie, combine the chicken and veggies in a pie pan, cover with a ready-to-bake pie crust and bake for 30 to 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

Sushi at Home

The commissary has gone international, with a dedicated fresh sushi counter in many stores. Trained chefs prepare gourmet, fresh sushi throughout the day. Prices and types might vary from store to store, but there is always a wide selection available. Most counters serve several varieties of raw fish rolls, tempura or fried rolls, plus veggie and California rolls.

The sushi section also offers sides, like edamame and gyoza, to help create a complete and easy dinner.

If you wanted to add a little bit more to your meal, head to the international section in frozen foods. There you will find even more delicious treats: orange chicken, beef and broccoli and stir-fry, all ready to cook in your microwave!

If you are craving soups, the Asian section of the international foods aisle is a great place to stop. There are ready-to-heat canned soups and mixes that just require water.

Go Greens

For a totally healthy and super easy meal, find the salad section in produce. There are pre-made bagged salads that include everything: meat, cheese, croutons or other garnishes and the dressing. All you do is combine and eat! These make a perfect meal for 2 or a healthy appetizer for a hungry family.

If you are looking for a single-serving, you’re covered too! With ready-to-eat salad bowls, like chicken Caesar, your lunch or light dinner has never been easier or healthier.

What is your favorite convenient food option at the commissary?

DeCA Hosts Healthy Lifestyle Festivals in July

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There’s always a lot of emphasis on adopting healthy habits during the New Year. But you don’t need to wait until January 1 to start a new fitness routine or incorporate more fresh produce into your meal planning. You can pledge to make healthy lifestyle changes today.

Supporting the military community’s health and wellness goals is the focus of the Defense Commissary Agency’s military resale partnership event, Your Healthy Lifestyle Festival.

This annual event features discounted prices on produce at commissary farmers markets, savings on workout equipment and apparel at exchanges, health screenings at local clinics and fitness events hosted by the post morale, welfare and recreation (MWR) activities, according to a DeCA press release. Commissaries worldwide will be hosting healthy lifestyle festivals between July 1 and July 31.

“We heartily support DoD’s many initiatives to improve the health and wellness of service members and their families. Supporting this fest is a great way to continue that tradition,” said DeCA Sales Director Tracie Russ. “Together, the military resale community helps reinforce the installation as the No. 1 destination for partnership events.”

The healthy lifestyle festivals vary slightly from base to base. This event, which is a collaborative effort of commissaries, exchanges, MWR services and our industry partners, may include exchange sidewalk sales, MWR fitness events, demos, music, free nutritious food samples, prize giveaways, discount coupon offers, health and wellness information and children’s programs. Event details will be announced through the local military installation’s media, such as a base newspaper or a Facebook page.

The healthy lifestyle festivals will shine a spotlight on the commissaries’ worldwide farmers market program.

“Our patrons are in for a treat when it comes to the quality produce offered at our farmers markets,” Russ said. “Thanks to the creativity of our store personnel and industry partners who inject plenty of imagination and excitement into our farmers markets, combined with the exchange sales and the MWR fitness events, this festival will be a must-attend for our military customers.”

In the past, commissary shoppers have said that quality fresh produce is a priority for them. They want to buy locally grown produce at their commissaries. The healthy lifestyle festival is a way for commissary patrons to see what types of fresh produce are available at their commissaries that they may be overlooking.

Last year’s festival was the first of what has become an annual event combining the best of the military community’s efforts to help improve the health and wellness of service members and their families, according to the DeCA press release.

The majority of the healthy lifestyle festivals will be held on military installations this month. Commissary shoppers can find the participating military installations and dates on Your Healthy Lifestyle Festival page.

A few locations scheduled their event in June to avoid calendar conflicts, DeCA said in a press release.

Here is the list of bases that already had their healthy lifestyle festivals: Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California; Chievres Air Base, Belgium; Dugway Proving Ground, Utah; Izmir Air Station, Turkey; Los Angeles Air Force Base; Naval Station Mayport, Florida; Naval Base Pearl Harbor Commissary, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; Naval Shipyard Portsmouth, Maine; and Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California.

Click here for the complete list of dates for healthy lifestyle festivals at commissaries worldwide.

Do You Know the Story Behind the SKILCRAFT Products Available at Your Commissary?

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I’m a label-reading shopper. When buying produce at the commissary, I always look for the display signage telling me if the strawberries came from Louisiana or California. I aim to buy products made in the USA. I aim to support companies that give back to our military community. My emotions definitely influence my buying behavior.

Do You Know the Story Behind the SKILCRAFT Products Available at Your Commissary?

Military family stocks up on SKILCRAFT products at a commissary.

When I learned about the 60-year-old partnership between National Industries for the Blind and the military commissary program, I couldn’t help but look around my house to see if I had recently purchased any products with the SKILCRAFT® logo from my military commissary.

My mop? SKILCRAFT

My dish gloves? SKILCRAFT

My favorite blue dish scrubber? SKILCRAFT

The red clipboard at the military treatment facility’s Emergency Room? SKILCRAFT

Even the black ballpoint pens that I pull out of my husband’s uniform before tossing it in the washing machine are a SKILCRAFT product.

Why was I looking for SKILCRAFT products? SKILCRAFT is the brand name for quality products made by people who are blind.

More importantly for label-reading shoppers like me, the SKILCRAFT logo means that your purchase is helping to create U.S.-based jobs for people who are blind.

Did you know that 70 percent of working-age Americans who are blind are not employed? National Industries for the Blind’s mission is to change that statistic.

History of SKILCRAFT Products on Military Bases

In 1938, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed legislation giving federal contract priority to nonprofit agencies that produce products made by people who are blind. This federal legislation was the first step toward showing that Americans who are blind could produce high-quality, competitive products for the military.

During World War II, NIB employees manufactured mops, brooms, mailbags and pillowcases for service members. In the 1950s, this partnership expanded when military commissaries began selling SKILCRAFT dishcloths, doormats and clothespin bags. The SKILCRAFT trademark was created at this time, so that commissary shoppers would know their purchase was supporting jobs for Americans who are blind. By 1957, NIB reported that commissary sales provided more than 270,000 hours of employment per year.

Today, NIB associated agencies operate 151 AbilityOne Base Supply Center stores at military bases and federal government installations nationwide. Service-disabled veterans and military dependents may work at these AbilityOne Base Supply Center stores.

Over the years, NIB started manufacturing cleaning supplies and office products, including ballpoint pens. Today, NIB and its associated agencies produce more than 7,000 SKILCRAFT products.

Do You Know the Story Behind the SKILCRAFT Products Available at Your Commissary?

Variety of SKILCRAFT kitchen and cleaning products produced by NIB associated agencies.

High-Quality SKILCRAFT Products Available at Your Commissary and Exchange

Our service members can purchase the SKILCRAFT products they use at work from the AbilityOne Base Supply Center. Military spouses, dependents and veterans can support the mission of National Industries for the Blind by purchasing SKILCRAFT products at their commissaries or exchanges.

These high-quality products are manufactured specifically for military families. There are 900 products available at 244 commissary stores worldwide, 175 AAFES stores and 121 NEX and MCX stores.

One of these products, which I frequently use, is the SKILCRAFT premium strength plastic flatware. This flatware, which is manufactured by LC Industries in North Carolina, is dishwasher safe, reusable and disposable. In other words, it’s perfect for those neighborhood block parties and packing in my daughter’s lunch box.

Buying SKILCRAFT Products Makes a Difference in the Lives of Disabled Veterans

NIB and its nationwide network of associated nonprofit agencies are the largest employer of people who are blind in the United States, employing more than 5,600 people. In fiscal year 2015, NIB and its associated agencies generated 479 new job opportunities for people who are blind, including veterans.

Did you know that the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have created more injuries resulting in blindness than any conflict since the Civil War?

Because of these disabling injuries, NIB designed its Wounded Warrior Program. This program, which is specifically for injured veterans, aims to secure employment for these men and women through National Industries for the Blind.

A SKILCRAFT product is more than a high-quality item for my home or my husband’s office.

Purchasing an item with the SKILCRAFT logo on it is a way of saying “yes” to opportunities for people who are blind.

Your purchase shows support.

Your purchase shows commitment.

Your purchase is paving the way for the next 60 years of partnership between National Industries for the Blind, the Defense Commissary Agency and military families around the country.

Indulge your emotional buying behavior today. Look for SKILCRAFT products the next time you’re shopping at your military commissary.

For more information about SKILCRAFT products or National Industries for the Blind, visit www.NIB.org/ShopSKILCRAFT.

Spend Less This Fourth of July by Shopping at Your Commissary

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Fourth of July, summer’s halfway point, is only a few weeks away. What are your plans for Independence Day? Are you running a Firecracker 5K? Are you planning to watch the fireworks while sitting on a blanket? Are you hosting an epic Independence Day celebration?

Hosting a fun Fourth of July party? Yeah that’s what I thought.

Military spouses love to organize a patriotic potluck for our nation’s birthday. It could be an afternoon picnic with your closest friends or this national holiday may be the best excuse to plan a neighborhood block party and meet the new families in your on-base neighborhood.

Whatever the reason for your Fourth of July party, now is the time to finalize your menu, create a shopping list and buy the food you need for your get-together.

Hosting a party doesn’t have to break your budget, spend less by purchasing everything you need from your military commissary.

You can combine these savings with coupons from Coupons.com and Commissary Rewards Card. Confused about using digital coupons at your commissary? Check out this post for clarification.

Let’s start with the main dish for your Fourth of July party. Will it be hamburgers or hot dogs?

Ball Park franks are on sale. You can get 2 15-ounce packs for $3 at your commissary this month. Select varieties of Oscar Mayer franks are also on sale. The sale price is $2.79 for those hot dogs. There’s a coupon for $0.55 off when you buy 2 packages of Bar-S franks.

Don’t forget to pick up ketchup, mustard and pickles. Gulden’s Spicy Brown Mustard is on sale for $0.89. Select varieties of Vlasic pickles are on sale at the commissary. The oval hamburger dill chip pickles are only $1.19 for a 16-ounce jar. You can save $0.55 on Claussen pickles with this coupon.

If you’re thinking burgers, but don’t want beef, you can buy turkey burgers instead. The Butterball Everyday Original Seasoned Turkey Burgers are on sale at your commissary. The price is $4.50.  If you like to make your own patties, use this coupon to save $1.50 on the purchase of 2 packages of Jennie-O ground turkey.

You can save $0.55 on Sargento Natural Cheese Slices when you load that coupon on your Commissary Rewards Card. This digital coupon expires on August 15.

Once you make your decision on the main dish, next up are your side dishes. Will it be potato chips or potato salad?

Lay’s Kettle Cooked potato chips are on sale for the entire month of June. The price is $2.39 per bag.

I’m also a big fan of the Lay’s 50-count classic mix snack pack. I buy one of these whenever we are hosting a party with lots of children. With these smaller bags, the kids can pick their favorite chips and I don’t have to buy a variety of larger bags. Lay’s 50-count classic mix pack is on sale for $11.99.

Commissary rewards card members can save $1 on 2 popchip bags with its digital coupon.

Finally, it’s time to make a decision on my favorite part of a Fourth of July party: the desserts!

You will be inspired to create a red, white and blue dessert after you read these recipes submitted by MilitaryShoppers readers. There’s a 4th of July Cake, JELL-O® Easy Patriotic Pie and Patriotic Gelatin Salad. After browsing through these recipes, don’t forget to look for digital coupons to save money on the ingredients.

You can save $0.75 on 2 cans of Dole canned fruit at your commissary with this coupon. Also, Philadelphia Original Cream Cheese is on sale at your commissary. Be sure to stock up since the price is 2 for $5 and we all know that cream cheese makes any dessert delicious.

You can also save money on your Fourth of July party by buying your paper products at your commissary. Save $1 on both Hefty Foam Plates and Hefty Easy Grip Cups. This coupon is available to Commissary Reward Card holders. The coupon expires on August 31.

You can also save $1 on Hefty trash bags with this coupon. It’s always good to have extra trash bags on hand for holiday parties.

Click here to search and save more printable coupons.

First of Its Kind Military Family Support Center Opens in Georgia

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It has been two and a half years in the making, but the Military Family Support Center in Cobb County, Ga., opened its doors last month.

This is the first public-private partnership like this in the United States. It is a combined effort created with the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce, the Defense Commissary Agency, the Georgia Department of Defense and Dobbins Air Reserve Base and its joint partners to bring commissary benefits to military families.

There are more than 50,000 veterans living in Cobb County. The Military Family Support Center will provide retired veterans, active duty and their families access to a military benefit that many who live close to a commissary take for granted.

Though this Military Family Support Center is not a commissary – it will act as a pop-up commissary.

Its doors will open 3 days a month providing roughly 1,000 items such as: fresh meat, fresh produce, chilled and frozen items along with dry goods.

There is a large population of National Guard and Reserve members for which this Military Family Support Center was designed for, but anyone who has commissary privileges may shop at there as long as they show a military ID card.

It is a long drive to the nearest commissary, so bringing a similar commissary benefit close to home for so many people is a welcome sight. The Military Family Support Center is located just outside of Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Ga.

The commissary offers items at cost plus 5 percent, which can save a family on average 30 percent or more over shopping at a civilian grocery store.

For those living in Cobb County however, it isn’t convenient to make a full day trip to a commissary. The closest commissary is at Fort Benning, which is 130 miles from Marietta.

Though the Military Family Support Center will only be open 3 days a month, it is a benefit many will welcome.

This is the first Military Family Support Center served by the Defense Commissary Agency. The land it sits on is leased by the Cobb Chamber and its partners and the Guard/Reserve on-site sales are run by the commissary.

The groups have come together to bring back the commissary benefit to the greater Atlanta area. Fort Gillem and Fort McPherson did at one time have full commissaries, but both posts were closed as part of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process.

The Military Family Support Center will offer more than just great grocery savings one weekend a month. There will also be other services available at that time. While these services may change, the Military Support Center has scheduled things such as the WellStar physicians and their medical professionals to come out and perform health screenings and offer consultations. The Georgia Department of Driver Services will be available in their mobile unit for any Georgia license holders that need to renew or replace their ID. The Georgia Veterans Administration is also expected to be available to answer general VA questions. More services may be available in the future as well.

If you are in the area, mark your calendars for the following dates the Military Family Support Center will have on-site sales:

  • June 16-18
  • July 14-16
  • August 18-20
  • September 15-17
  • October 20-22
  • November 17-19
  • December 15-17

This off-base commissary’s operating hours are Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. once a month.

What do you think of this idea of a military family support center or pop-up commissary? Do you think DeCA should open similar centers in other parts of the United States?

What You Can Do to Help Save Your Commissary Benefit

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It’s no secret that I’m a fan of the commissary. My family has been shopping there since I was a baby and I continue to shop there today! Ironically enough, when my parents were visiting this past week, what did we do? We ran into the commissary for the typical bread, milk and eggs run.

The convenience and cost-effectiveness are the primary reasons military families visit the commissary. But, as the new National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is being discussed in Congress, our commissary budget is on the chopping block, yet again. That could mean more commissary closures, reduced hours and days, among other things.

The House of Representatives approved the fiscal year 2017 NDAA, H.R. 4909, on May 20, which authorizes $610 billion in funding for national defense. Now it’s the Senate’s turn to debate it.

While negotiations are in the works, this is our time to speak up! Although it may seem like military families are alone on this one, there are organizations out there lobbying and fighting for our cause.

Join forces with these organizations and they can help amplify your voice.

Blue Star Families (BSF) is a wonderful organization that provides resources, programs and partnerships for military families. Each year, they release a descriptive military lifestyle survey that indicates the concerns of military families. The best part of the survey is that the right people are reading it and it’s making a difference in influencing decisions.

The 2015 survey results showed that military benefits and pay were top issues for military families. Our commissary is looped into the mix there. To make sure our benefits continue to be in the forefront of budgetary decisions, fill out their 2016 survey. Time is running out, so hurry because the closeout date is May 30!

In addition to Blue Star Families, the National Military Family Association (NMFA) is another fantastic organization that strongly lobbies for military families. They provide scholarships and kids’ camps (i.e. Operation Purple Camps) as well as resources for military family and health care issues.

They are also monitoring the defense budget saga and provide detailed explanations to better understand the situation because let’s be honest, it can get really confusing. NMFA recently broke down the defense budget concerns, including the commissary issue here.

With the backing of BSF and NMFA, military families can have a stronger voice. Keep an eye out for volunteer opportunities and ways to contribute to these organizations.

You can also connect with The Coalition to Save Our Military Shopping Benefits. This coalition is “working to protect service members and their families EARNED commissary and exchange benefits, and the critical savings they provide our military community,” according to its website.

You can also contact your state senator  to encourage their vote in the proceedings. This is when you, as an American voter, can and should get your issues heard. Here is how you can contact their offices (be sure to select the U.S. Senate).

That reminds me, have you registered to vote?

Lastly, I want to encourage you to patronize your local commissary because that will also influence the decision-making process.

Every time you shop at your commissary, it’s counted and every dollar you spend is calculated. If the numbers are there, it’s undeniable proof that the commissary system is beneficial.

Are you concerned about proposed changes to the commissary? What are you doing to voice your concerns?

The Convenience of the Commissary’s Early Bird Program

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Do you know what the commissary’s Early Bird program is?

I have always seen signs about the Early Bird program at my commissary but I never knew how the program could benefit me.

I assumed the program was for certain people or just for those who are in the military, not their families. I was happy to learn more about the program and was glad to hear that the Early Bird program is there to help anyone who shops at the commissary.

The commissary’s Early Bird program is a program for shoppers who need 15 items or less. You can shop at the commissary before normal operating hours and pick up your necessary items.

You can’t do your big shopping this way but if you can stay under the 15-item limit, the program can be a good one to take advantage of. This program can help people save money because of the lower costs of shopping at the commissary compared to a convenience store.

The Early Bird program allows people to go into the commissary, get what they need and not have to wait until regular hours to shop.

The Early Bird program can benefit a lot of people who normally shop at the commissary. From military service members that might need to grab something quick in the morning to retirees that don’t want to worry about the crowds and only need a few things when they go.

During the normal store hours, commissaries can get quite busy. I have been to the commissary on days when the line went all the way to the back of the store. If you just need a few items that wait is not going to be the best way to go about getting them.

With the Early Bird program, you do have to plan ahead. You would need to get to the commissary within the time that they have for the program.

Do you know about your commissary’s Early Bird program?

To find out you would need to check the website for your commissary. Here at Fort Campbell the Early Bird program’s hours are 7-8 a.m., Monday through Saturday. It is available at Bolling Air Force Base from 7:30-9:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. At Pensacola NAS, the Early Bird program is open from 7:30-8 a.m. daily while it isn’t an option at the commissary at Twentynine Palms.

Not every commissary will have the Early Bird program and the days and hours might differ based on where you are located.

If you think the Early Bird program will save you time and money, you should try it out. The next time you find yourself wanting to run to a convenience store, see if you can hit up the Early Bird program at your commissary instead.

You can save money this way because the items you need will be cheaper at the commissary. Regular convenience stores can cost even more than a civilian grocery store. By shopping at the commissary instead, you can avoid having to deal with the high costs associated with those types of stores.

Does your commissary have an Early Bird program? If yes, do you take advantage of it?