As a former Marine out of Camp Pendleton, California, I personally liked having the option of using the commissary for my grocery shopping needs. It is no secret that Marine Corp chow halls can offer a somewhat less than desirable menu, and sometimes it is nice to have fresh fruits and vegetables readily available. To me the commissary offered the full selection a typical grocery store offers with the added benefit of a tax-free environment. In other words, like many others, I like purchasing quality goods at a reduced price. According to the Defense Commissary Agency, 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. The Defense Commissary Agency further describes our military commissaries as a core military family support element, and a valued part of military pay and benefits, commissaries contribute to family readiness, enhance the quality of life for America's military and their families, and help recruit and retain the best and brightest men and women to serve their country.
If military commissaries are considered a core military family support element and a valued part of military pay and benefits, why would the Department of Defense even consider shutting down all commissary stateside locations? In a statement from Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s office, “the Secretary of Defense has made it clear on numerous occasions that all cost-cutting efforts need to be on the table in order for the Department of Defense to meet the spending caps associated with the 2011 Budget Control Act.” As a result, the Department of Defense has asked the Defense Commissary Agency to develop a plan to close all stateside locations. Such a plan will certainly leave all military members stationed stateside at bases in remote rural locations driving long distances to grocery shop. According to Military.com, “Those with local grocery store options outside the gate would be in better shape — but can still expect to pay around 30 percent more across the board should the commissaries close, especially on products such as meat which are often much cheaper on base than off.”
Looks like our brothers and sisters in arms will soon have to settle for the local goulash at the chow hall. Semper Fi and happy eating.
Joshua Reed
Military Student Services
8 BTB / JAN, 2014
Department of Defense May Close All Stateside Commissaries