Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

Your Guide to Digital Coupons

By

We all know that coupons can save us money at the commissary. However, sometimes finding those coupons can be quite the challenge, from having to get the Sunday newspaper to finding the coupons you want to use. You also have to buy the paper and that might not be in the budget.

That is why digital coupons can be a lot easier. You can find sites that work best for you, only clip the coupons you will use, print and take to the store. They are a lot easier to manage.

Your Guide to Digital Coupons

Are you looking for printable coupons?

Coupons.com is the first place I like to go to get digital coupons. They have an easy to navigate website and you can find the coupons you want to use. You will need to go through their list of coupons and digitally “clip” them and print out the ones that you want. They update with new coupons on the 1st of every month so it’s a good idea to get in the habit of going to the site on the 1st and getting your coupons for the month.

There are a few other sites you will want to go to on a regular basis to find coupons to use at the commissary:

SmartSource Online Coupons

CoolSavings

Coupon Cabin 

Coupon Mom

You should be going to your favorite products pages too, a lot of times you can get digital coupons that way. Sometimes they have them on their website and other times they might want you to sign up for their newsletter or like their Facebook page.

Make sure to do your research on the sales going on at the commissary and matching them up to your coupons. You will save more money if you use your coupons on sale items. I like to get into the weekly habit of doing this based on what is on sale and what coupons I have. If you take the time to do this, you can really increase your savings.

I like to go to Southern Savers to get my commissary match-ups done each week. This blogger makes finding the match-ups easy because all you have to do is click on the link to the commissary and find out what is on sale that you can match with your digital coupons. You can also find some printable coupons on her site.

You will want to have a good way of keeping your coupons organized. If you don’t do this you will be more likely to forget your coupons and not find the ones you need for the products you plan to get. Once I started organizing my coupons I was able to always remember to bring them and no longer left them at home when I would head to the store.

One option is to buy a binder, some baseball card holders and make categories for the types of items you buy. You can break the sections down to be specific or keep things more general such as “breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack.” I like to have them more specific than that because I find it is much easier to look through my coupons before my shopping trip. If you don’t want to use a big binder, you can find or make a small coupon wallet that will fit into your purse.

Are you looking for printable coupons? Check out the coupons.com for valuable coupons to help your family save money on your grocery bill.

Deli, Bakery, Sushi Bar Back at Commissaries This Month

By

Commissary bakeries, delis and sushi bars on U.S. installations that were closed over the last few months are finally reopening.

Nayyarsons Corporation held the contract for these, but DeCA (Defense Commissary Agency) canceled two contracts and did not renew one due to performance-related issues. Twenty-two commissaries were initially affected by this with another 22 shortly after that. Some bakeries, delis and sushi bars were temporarily closed while new contractors were sought.

Product shortages were one of the main issues DeCA repeatedly faced with Nayyarsons Corporation’s performance. The company was given a chance to rectify problems, but nothing it did resolved the shortcomings. DeCA operates a chain of commissaries around the world offering groceries to military service members, retirees and their families. The commissary is an important and valued benefit that many rely on. DeCA chose to end business with this company in order to find and maintain quality goods and services from a company it could rely on.

Military Deli and Bakery Services Inc. (MDBS) has been contracted to meet these needs. They already have contracts to manage the same sections in 72 commissaries. Most of those commissaries are on military installations out west, in North and South Carolina, Virginia, Texas and in Georgia. Military Deli and Bakery Services will now have contracts to cover 116 commissaries.

Since the end of February, most commissaries have only had limited deli-bakery functions. DeCA temporarily hired former employees of Nayyarsons Corporation as government employees in order to keep service going. Other patrons, such as those at Fort Carson, were surprised to find their deli closed.

After negotiations, a contract has been signed and families are once again seeing lights on behind the counters in commissaries across the country. DeCA expects sushi bars to be operating once again by the end of this month for those stores that previously had them.

Is your commissary on the list?

  • Alabama: Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base Annex, Maxwell Air Force Base*, Redstone Arsenal*, Fort Rucker*
  • Arkansas: Little Rock Air Force Base*
  • Colorado: Buckley Air Force Base*, Fort Carson*, Peterson Air Force Base*, U.S. Air Force Academy
  • Illinois: Scott Air Force Base*, Naval Station Great Lakes*
  • Indiana: Harrison Village
  • Kansas: McConnell Air Force Base*, Fort Leavenworth*, Fort Riley*
  • Kentucky: Fort Campbell*, Fort Knox*
  • Louisiana: Barksdale Air Force Base*, Naval AIr Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Fort Polk*
  • Michigan: Selfridge Air National Guard Base
  • Mississippi: Columbus Air Force Base*, Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport*, Keesler Air Force Base*
  • Missouri: Fort Leonard Wood*, Whiteman Air Force Base
  • Nebraska: Offutt Air Force Base*
  • New Mexico: Cannon Air Force Base, Holloman Air Force Base*, Kirtland Air Force Base*, White Sands Missile Range
  • North Dakota: Grand Forks Air Force Base*, Minot Air Force Base*
  • Ohio: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
  • Oklahoma: Altus Air Force Base, Fort Still*, Tinker Air Force Base*, Vance Air Force Base
  • Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Area
  • South Dakota: Ellsworth Air Force Base*
  • Tennessee: Naval Support Activity Mid-South (Memphis)*
  • Texas: Fort Bliss*, Sheppard Air Force Base*
  • Wyoming: FE Warren Air Force Base

* Locations with sushi bars

On July 1, 2015, American military commissaries celebrated their 148th anniversary. Shopping has changed dramatically in that time, but one thing has stayed the same, they still sell groceries at cost. DeCA wants to ensure the legacy continues and patrons will be able to purchase quality goods as one of the key benefits service members and families receive.

Hopefully, Military Deli and Bakery Services is the right company to help DeCA keep on track so that we can keep shopping.

Do you use the deli and bakery at your military commissary? How has your grocery shopping changed in recent months?

Smokin’ Deals at the Commissary in July

By

The commissary deals for July are on fire! Everything on sale is great for Fourth of July celebrations, summer snacks for you and your kids as well as keeping your furry friends at home content.

Here’s a sneak peak at the commissary specials in July.

Nestle Drumstick Dessert Cones (Vanilla, Variety Pack, Simply Dipped or Super Nugget, 8 count or Lil’ Drums, 12 count) are on special for $4. That is definitely the perfect cool down treat on hot summer days.

My husband and I look for opportunities to stock our pantry with canned goods  because of how easy it is to prepare meals if we’re on a tight schedule. Del Monte is having great deals on their canned fruits and vegetables in July at the commissary. I’m definitely going to partake!

Ideal for smoothies, fruit salad and other side dishes, Fruit in Syrup No Sugar Added Very Cherry, Sliced Pears, Fruit Cocktail or Sliced Peaches, 14.5-oz cans or Mandarin Oranges, 15-oz. cans are only 4 for $3. In addition, Del Monte’s Southwest Corn, Cut Golden Wax Beans, Green Lima Beans, French Style Green Beans with Roasted Garlic or Whole Green Beans are also 4 for $3 as well as No Salt Added Whole Kernel Corn, Cream Style Golden Sweet Corn, French Style Green Beans, Cut Green Beans and Sweet Peas are 5 for $3. These sale prices last the entire month of July.

For a sweet on-the-go snack, the 4-pack of Fruit Burst Squeezers (Strawberry, Peach-Mango, Apple-Cinnamon, Mixed Berry or Blueberry) are ringing in at 2 for $3 and Fruit Naturals (Mandarin Oranges, Yellow Cling Peach Chunks, Cherry Mixed Fruit  or Red Grapefruit) are 4 for $3.

Our four-legged friends are covered with some amazing prices from Purina on the large bags of pet food. Complete or Indoor formula Cat Chow (25 lbs.) is only $15.99 and Complete Dog Chow (55 lbs.) is only $23. Just for the felines, Tidy Cats Non-Clumping Clay Litter for Multiple Cats with Glade Touch Odor Solutions (50 lbs.) is on sale this month for $5.99. For extra savings, clip this $1.05 coupon. Can’t forget our K9s with Alpo T-Bonz Dog Treats Filet Mignon, Porterhouse or Ribeye Flavor (45 oz.) at $5.36.

Now for the items that would be great for your summer get-together. Hefty Everyday Soak Proof Plates (50 ct.) is $1.50 and Hefty Ultimate Easy Grip Cups (50 ct.) is $2.39. To wrap up delicious foods for your guests, use Reynolds Wrap. The aluminum foil (200 sq. ft.) is only at $5.99. These specials end July 15, so don’t forget to stock up on these paper products for all summer long.

Lastly, I have to mention all the awesome deals on snackable food. Totino’s Pizza Rolls (Pepperoni, Combination, Cheese, Supreme or Triple Meat, 40 ct.) are $1.99. It’s easy to pop in the oven for your hungry family.

Another sweet snack you can pop in your oven is Betty Crocker’s Fudge Brownie Mix. A box is just 99 cents and you can choose from Milk Chocolate, Fudge or Dark Chocolate. Yoplait Greek Yogurt is only 65 cents for a variety of flavors, including Blueberry, Lemon, Key Lime, Vanilla, Pineapple or Strawberry. Don’t forget to combine that savings with a $1 off coupon.

Also, I’ll be grabbing bags of the party size bag of chips that are on sale for future camping trips. Tostitos Tortilla Chips, Doritos Nacho Cheese Flavored Tortilla Chips, Ruffles Originial Potato Chips, and Lay’s Classic Potato Chips are $2.98.

Want to know the weekly manager’s specials? Sign up for MilitaryShoppers’ newsletter to be kept up to date on all the sales at the commissary.

Sizzling Deals at Your Commissary in June

By

The weather is already hot here in northern Virginia. Same goes with the assortment of deals at the commissary, especially with the assortment of drinks and sweets that are on sale in June! Click to see all of our Commissary Specials!

Here’s a look at what’s on sale this month at your military commissary.

I’m loving the variety of discounts on refreshing beverages that are perfect for long summer days. From June 18 to July 8, Gold Peak Iced Tea (89 oz.) will only be $2. My husband loves his iced tea. Seriously, he drinks unsweetened iced tea everyday. So, we’ll definitely pick up some cartons.

For on the go, Honest Organic Tea (16.9 oz.) is on sale 10 for $10. They are just the right size for your car’s cup holder. Flavors are orange mango, pomegranate blue, honey green tea or peach tea.

I’m also covered because my absolute favorite summer drink is pink lemonade! You can pick up a 59-oz. sized Minute Maid Premium carton for $1 and the sale includes more than pink lemonade. Peach, berry punch, fruit punch or tropical punch are the other flavors in the deal. Why not pick them all up?

If you have little ones, the 10-pack of Minute Maid KIDS 100% Juice Orange with Calcium is $2. In addition, other Minute Maid drink packs are on sale like apple or orange (6-pack) and apple, fruit punch, mixed berry or white apple grape (10-pack). I can’t forget the 10-pack of lemonade too. They are perfect for camping or road trips. I take a couple to put in the cooler and recycle after I’m done with each bottle.

Camping is one of my favorite summer activities and there are some great powerbuys on camping treats this month.

My husband and I put a handful of Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars in our hiking pack. Right now, a box of 12 is $1.89 and it includes Oats ‘n Honey, Peanut Butter or the Variety Pack. You can combine this sale with a $0.50 coupon to save even more money.

For those that like crumbles of granola better than the bars, Cascadian Farm Organic Protein Granola is $2.25. They have a tasty selection, Dark Chocolate Coconut, Apple Crisp or Granola Berry Cobbler.

Looking for another healthy sweet snack? Yoplait’s Greek Yogurts are selling for 65 cents each. You can get either Cherry, Pineapple, Strawberry or Tangerine regular Greek yogurt or Coconut, Raspberry or Blueberry-blended yogurt.

For the bakers out there, select Betty Crocker and Pillsbury baked goods are powerbuys too!

Betty Crocker’s Fudge Brownie Mix (Milk Chocolate, Fudge or Dark Chocolate) are 99 cents and Pillsbury’s Big Deluxe Big Cookies Chocolate Chip or Oatmeal Raisin or Ready-to-Bake Cookies Chocolate Chip are $1.75.

Aside from brownies and cookies, you can bake some quick and easy cinnamon rolls for $1.50. Grab a tube of Pillsbury’s Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing or Orange Rolls with Orange Icing to fulfill your cinnamon craving.

This summer our furry family members are also treated with deals! Purina has some amazing discounts that I will be partaking for my feline friend.

My cat Xena goes bananas for Whisker Lickin’s Tuna Cat Treats! It’s only 80 cents for a pouch and that includes Salmon flavored too. One Smartblend Cat Food is $6.40 for a 3.5 lbs. bag (Hairball Formula, Healthy Metabolism, Indoor Advantage or Urinary Tract Health Formula).

For a more glamorous meal for Xena, Purely Fancy Feast (2 oz.) is $1.04. I can choose from Natural Steamed Wild Alaskan Salmon Entree, Natural Tender Tongol Tuna Entree or Natural White Meat Chicken Entree all in Delicate Broth.

On the not so glamorous side of cat parenting, litter is on sale! Purina Tidy Cats Non-Clumping Clay Litter 20 lbs. bag is 2 for $6 or Clumping Litter 14 lbs. is $5.21 both for Multiple Cats 24/7 Performance or Instant Action. Save an additional $1.05 with this coupon.

Let’s not forget the pups in our family! Here are some great deals at the commissary for them:

  • Beneful Dog Food (Health Smile, Playful Life, Healthy Weight or Original) 7 lbs. for $8.99
  • Beggin’ Strips Dog Snack (Bacon & Cheese or Bacon Flavor),  6 oz. for $2
  • Alpo Dog Food Chop House or Gravy Cravers Variety Pack, 12 ct. for $6.99

Want to know the weekly manager’s specials? Sign up for the newsletter to be kept up to date on all the sales at the commissary.

Memorial Day Savings This Month at Your Commissary

By

May is my absolute favorite month! Not only is it my birth month, it is also the unofficial start to summer. Our community pool opens up Memorial Day weekend (YAY!) and outdoor gatherings become a regular occurrence.

It can be said that along with the weather, the commissary deals are heating up too! In honor of National Military Appreciation Month, they have upped their game with lots of great specials throughout the month aimed to help military families get ready for barbecues, pool parties or any other family get-togethers.

Who doesn’t love a good backyard picnic? Add the ideal outdoor dining side dish to your menu with a tasty pasta salad. Betty Crocker’s Suddenly Pasta Salad (Ceasar, Classic or Ranch & Bacon) is only $0.98. Buy 2 and you can save $.50 with this coupon. It’s a great make-ahead meal and can be refrigerated until it’s time to eat.

Another great addition to any meal outside is a delicious pickle. Vlasic® Spears (24 oz.) are 2 for $3. For those who like to add a pickle topping to their hot dogs, Vlasic Relish (10 oz.) is $0.98.

Stock up on great finger grabbing snacks like Ruffles Potato Chips (Original or Cheddar & Sour Cream, $2.50), Tostitos Tortilla Chips (Cantina Traditional or Thin & Crispy, $2; Restaurant Style or Scoops, $2.50) or finally, Lay’s Chips (Baked, Classic or Wavy Original, $2). Don’t forget to include your favorite dip into the mix.

I’ve mentioned before that I’m from Texas, so I know that no awesome barbecue is complete without sweet tea and lemonade. Sometimes a get-together is quickly arranged. As a result, you have no time to brew a batch of tea or squeeze a bunch of lemons! In those instances, I love grabbing a refreshing jug of pre-made tea and lemonade. I’m excited that Gold Peak’s Iced Tea Diet or Sweet Tea (59 oz.) is $1.39 and Minute Maid Light Lemonade (59 oz.) is 2 for $3.

Also, I don’t know about you, but I tend to stick with disposable plates and cups for most outdoor dining situations. It makes clean-up a breeze. Several of Hefty’s great products are on sale for $1.50 this month. The sale items include: Everyday Soak Proof bowls or plates (50 ct.), Deluxe Extra Strong & Deep plates (24 ct.) and Ultimate Easy Grip 18 oz. cups (30 ct.).  They have a good selection of trash bags discounted too. Ultimate Flex Scent Free or Clean Burst (38 ct.) or Odor Block scent free or lavender vanilla (45 ct.) are $4.99 a package.

Don’t forget to pair these great discounts with coupons from coupons.com.

This month, Neutrogena products are on special. Pamper yourself with a wide range of their offers! I’m a huge fan of their Oil-Free Moisturizer for sensitive skin. They also have a version with SPF that’s great for the sunny months ahead. Both are just $6.67.

Here are some more Neutrogena specials:

  • Deep Clean (Facial and Cream Cleanser or Gentle Scrub), $3.41
  • Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover, $4.18
  • Excellent for travel: Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes Refill Pack, $2.97
  • Deep Clean Invigorating Foaming Scrub or Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub $4.51
  • Transparent Facial Bar Acne Prone Skin Formula, $1.73
  • Rapid Wrinkle Repair Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 30 or Night, $11.37
  • Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream Original Formula SPF 15, $7.45
  • Health Defense Daily Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 50, $8.43

Be sure you scope out the commissary specials flyer for more fantastic sale prices!

Don’t forget to sign up for the MilitaryShoppers newsletter to get the monthly commissary specials delivered directly to your inbox!

Springtime Means Case Lot Sale Time

By

It’s DECA’s Customer Appreciation Case Lot Sale time at your local commissary. Time to make a list and stock up on some great deals. You can find a case lot sale this April or May at your local military commissary.

The sales were halted for a bit because of budget cuts but are back at commissaries in the United States as well as Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Although they used to have them at commissaries located at overseas bases, they no longer do but each commissary might hold their own type of special sale during the year. Make sure to ask when that sale may be held if you are at an OCONUS location.

A case lot sale is a chance to buy items in bulk for a very discounted rate. That is why these sales are such a good time to stock up on your favorite items. You can’t really beat the prices. They are better than normal commissary sale items. They usually take place in the parking lot or even in front of the store. It just depends on where you are located.

What will you find at a case lot sale?

Here is a list of some of the more popular items that military spouses like to buy at the sale:

  • Paper towels
  • Diapers
  • Ketchup
  • Canned soup
  • Toilet paper
  • Salad dressing
  • Crackers
  • Juice boxes
  • Macaroni and cheese
  • Baking mixes

Each location might have slightly different items so if your friend in California was able to find a great deal on dog food, keep in mind that your commissary in Virginia might not have the exact same deals going on.

If nothing else, you should check out the case lot sale for diapers and paper products. You can stock up on them and get a really great deal. Military families with small children are always looking for ways to save on diapers. When I had 2 children in diapers, I was able to buy 2 different sizes at our local case lot sale. They lasted for a long time and I knew I had found a great deal.

I have also found that case lot sales are a great time to stock up on condiments or other types of products that you put in your pantry. You should also think about buying extra food to have on hand for food drives during the year.

Some case lot sales are very busy and you will have to wait in line for a while to get what you want. I have heard stories of people having to wait hours in order to check out. It was well worth the wait because of the products they were buying and the deals that they found. Other sales are more low-key and you can really just add the products during your regular shopping trip.

Bring your favorite milspouse friend, your patience and a list of what you might be looking for. You might even be able to split something with someone else if you don’t think your family will use all of it before PCSing. Doing this will allow you to still get a great deal without overbuying the product.

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

V

W

Y

Spring into Savings This April at Your Military Commissary

By

I’m a foodie. I’m a local food foodie. When my family moves to a new duty station before I ask for recommendations for a hair stylist or a dentist, I always ask my new neighbors for their lists of favorite local restaurants. Local restaurants are the key for this military spouse foodie. That’s how this Iowa girl fell in love with breakfast burritos in Arizona, udon noodles in Okinawa and grits in Mississippi.

But there’s a problem with all these local eating. The PCS.

Moving means that I find myself craving grits when I’m in California and ramen when I’m in Texas. As a solution-oriented military spouse, I’ve taken these cravings and the international food aisle at the commissary and used it as an opportunity to learn to make “local” food no matter where the Navy sends us.

Tex-Mex cuisine is one of my favorite “local” foods to make at home. Actually it’s a staple in our house and we have more than Taco Tuesdays. It’s Taco Tuesdays, Fajita Fridays, Tortilla Soup Sundays and Breakfast Burrito Wednesdays.

Luckily for me, all my favorite Tex-Mex ingredients are on sale this April at the military commissary.

Starting April 16, a 16-ounce jar of Old El Paso Think ‘n Chunky Salsa, mild or medium, is on sale for $0.99. Even if you don’t use it for a build-your-build-taco night, you can always stock up on salsa and be ready for those last-minute potlucks. Chips and salsa are my go-to potluck contribution at FRG meetings when I’m too busy to bake a dessert.

Here’s what other Old El Paso products are PowerBuys in April:

  • Taco Seasoning, Gucamole seasoning and Fajita seasoning mix packets, $0.45
  • Taco shells, $0.99
  • Chopped or whole green chiles, $0.75
  • Refined beans, traditional, fat-free and vegetarian, $0.75
  • Soft taco, beef carne asada and chipotle chicken dinner kits, $2.00

Once you feed your family, don’t forget to feed your furry family members. Several Purina products are on sale for the entire month of April.

Cat owners can buy 3-ounce Fancy Feast cat food cans for $0.53 each. Tidy Cats cat litter, 24/7 performance and instant action, is also on sale. You can buy two 14-pound cat litter containers for $8. Purina One Smartblend cat food is on sale for $9.99.

Don’t forget to pair these great discounts with coupons from coupons.com.

Purina Pro Plan Savor dog  food is also on sale. The price is $20.99 for the entire month of April. Alpo Wholesome Biscuits dog treats are on sale for $2.07, so treat your pet with this great deal.

Finally, as a mother, I prefer to buy detergent that is recommended by dermatologists. That’s the reason I use all® Free Clear detergent to wash our clothes. All all® detergent, dryer sheets and fabric softener are on sale during April at your commissary.

Don’t forget to sign up for the MilitaryShoppers newsletter to get the monthly commissary specials delivered directly to your inbox!

Free Wi-Fi Coming to a Commissary Near You

By

The commissary at Naval Air Station Oceana here in Virginia Beach has just become the first commissary to test free Wi-Fi. I was very excited to hear that it was one of the commissaries near me so that I could drive over and test it.

I often forget to load my commissary rewards card and end up sitting in my car scanning through them on my phone quickly as my 19-month-old baby repeatedly chimes from the back seat, “I go bye-bye. Groceries now, groceries now mama.” Finally being able to access the Internet inside of the commissary is great. I know my son does not want to sit still any longer than he has to and now I won’t have to keep him in the car that extra time. Of course I always tell myself I will remember next time to look at the coupons at home, but as all parents know, that doesn’t always happen.

I will make a better effort to digitally clip my rewards card coupons at home, but it is nice to be able to access them while in the commissary if I do forget. Some of the recipes I use are online so being able to glance back at them and make sure everything is on my grocery list is another great perk. I’m sure there are many reasons that people will happily find to utilize the free Wi-Fi. Entertaining your child with cartoons on YouTube so everyone can shop in peace is what one of my friends beamed about.

Having access to Wi-Fi is so mainstream now that not having it comes as a surprise to many new patrons, especially young military spouses. For those of us that have been shopping at commissaries for years without it however, this is an exciting new feature. NAS Oceana is the first to test free Wi-Fi, but once preliminary test is complete it will be rolled out to 102 commissaries stateside that already have the existing infrastructure that would be needed to support customer traffic.

A specific timeline for the program has not been determined yet. Once DeCA is able to calculate the test results here at Oceana, they will decide how quickly they can roll out free Wi-Fi to other commissaries. For those locations that will need updates to their systems to support customer Wi-Fi, it may be awhile. At this time DeCA has not made any plans to expand the offer of free Wi-Fi to commissaries overseas unfortunately.

There are so many reasons to shop at the commissary and adding free Wi-Fi just makes it that much better. What other perks would you like to see at your commissary in the future?

Not All Commissaries are Created Equal

By

I enjoy shopping at the commissary. Every fort and base I’ve lived near, as an Army brat and now as a Navy spouse, has had a good commissary and I’ve always shopped at them.

I am completely bummed that we are moving this summer to a location that does not have a commissary.

When we drove up for a short house-hunting trip, I made sure we drove to the next closest base to see what their commissary is like. A friend had told me it has a small commissary. How small? There were only 6 isles and 3 cashiers.

Not all commissaries are created equal is an understatement.

I was so disappointed. It was instantly obvious that I would not be able to do our weekly grocery shopping at the commissary. I really am bummed. I like my routine and the money we save by shopping there. When it snowed here recently and the bases were closed, I bought our groceries out in town and the bill was $75 more than my usual bill at the commissary. That was an eye-opener.

Every move has its challenges and ever military installation is different. Here in Virginia Beach I am within a 20-minute drive of 3 commissaries. They are each a bit different. The one on JEB Little Creek-Fort Story has a more open floor plan than the others and it is right next to the Exchange, which is very convenient. It is my preferred commissary to shop at, especially since it has more than 20 checkout lanes.

Cellphone reception for some reason seems to be universally poor at commissaries. I’m excited that NAS Oceana Commissary is the first one to test free Wi-Fi. That is so helpful with keeping up with the electronic coupons on my rewards card as I tend to forget to load them ahead of time.

I don’t use the deli, but I have had delicious birthday cakes made at the bakery. Some commissaries do not have a deli or bakery while others have really big and popular ones. Some embrace technology and have a kiosk for customers to order their deli and bakery items while others I’ve shopped at still only have the option to take a number and wait in line. NAS Oceana’s deli actually has its own Facebook page.

It will be strange not to have any of these options on our next assignment. The commissary’s slogan “it’s worth the drive” has always been something I agreed with. There is one more base just within driving distance so I might make a monthly trip there if it turns out to have a good commissary.

I’m sure I’m not alone in facing disappointment on the size difference of commissaries. Naval Base San Diego boasts DeCA’s largest commissary. Its 126,000-square-foot store offers 22,500 items; that’s 2,000 more than the store held before it was remodeled. Imagine if you came from a tiny commissary and walked into that one? You would probably be quite overwhelmed. Bigger isn’t always better to everyone.

I would like to try the coffee kiosks in one of the newer commissaries. You get to blend your own beverage. I haven’t been to one that has such a thing, nor have I been to one that has a health and wellness department. The commissary at Naval Base San Diego has both of those. Perhaps one day we’ll be stationed near a commissary that has one.

Stating that all commissaries are not created equal is truly an understatement. Where’s your favorite commissary? What does it offer that keeps you shopping there?

Commission Recommends Combining Commissaries, Exchanges

By

Commission Recommends Combining Military Commissaries, Exchanges

What proposed changes do you support for the commissaries?

The commissary. It’s one of those bread-and-butter military perks that comes with having your military ID. The commissary is where military families, old and young, get their milk, meat and cereal. It’s used by active duty families and retirees alike. Shopping and saving money at the commissary is one of the benefits available to our military community.

The commissary also seems to be one of the first benefits discussed every year when Congress, the Department of Defense and lobbyists are debating ways to trim the defense budget. This year isn’t any different.

Tucked in the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission’s 15 recommendations to modernize the military is a proposal to combine the commissary and exchange systems into a single defense resale organization. The commission’s final report was released in late January. You can read the entire report here.

Currently, the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) operates commissaries that provide groceries to authorized patrons (you and me and anyone else with a valid military ID) at cost with a 5-percent surcharge, which covers the costs of building new commissaries and modernizing existing ones. DeCA promotes that commissary shoppers “save an average of more than 30 percent on their purchases compared to commercial prices – savings that amount to thousands of dollars annually when shopping regularly at a commissary.”

On the flip side of military retail coin is the DoD operated exchange system that includes the Army Air Force Exchange System (AAFES), the Navy Exchange (NEX), and the Marine Corps Exchange (MCX). Exchanges have everything from beer to military uniforms and sell their merchandise at a profit. The benefit of the exchange is no sales tax.

Keep in mind that the “gross profits (from the exchanges) are used to support the exchange system, covering operating and other expenses; recapitalize facilities and systems; or are provided as dividends to fund MWR programs.”

When you’re stationed overseas, both the commissary and exchange are vital to your quality of life. Both retail organizations hire military dependents and veterans.

Together, commissaries and exchanges provide goods and services with total annual sales of more than $17 billion in 2013.

Based on an in-depth study that included town hall meetings and quality of life surveys, the bipartisan Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission unanimously recommended a consolidated resale organization.

A consolidated resale organization, with combined resources, increased operational flexibility, and better alignment of incentives and policies, would improve the viability and stability of these systems. It would sustain the benefit while reducing the combined reliance on appropriated funding over time. The increased flexibility and opportunities available to a consolidated organization could enable a deeper level of cooperation to improve quality and drive the efficiencies recommended by numerous studies. The many similarities, overlaps, and redundancies in processes, staffing, and support infrastructures favor the consolidation process. Establishing an executive structure and means of oversight that ensures alignment with the needs and goals of Service members and the Military Services is critical.”

–the 2015 Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission Final Report

The proposal also said that a portion of profits would continue to support MWR programs and the commissaries would keep their current 5-percent surcharge. The surcharge was set at 5 percent in 1983.

This consolidated system would “allow the sale of convenience items in commissaries at a profit, including products and services typically found in commercial grocers.” Food and other “essential items” would still be sold at cost.

The report also said “This expanded commissary product line would include beer and wine, but those sales must align with DoD’s efforts to deglamorize alcohol and reduce its abuse.”

Basically in a nutshell, this proposal is intended to reduce the overhead costs of operating the commissaries and exchanges separately. It’s not expected to affect the costs of shopping at either store and if approved, this consolidated system may make shopping on-base more like shopping at Walmart.

Now it’s your turn: What proposed changes do you support for the commissaries?