Shopping at the commissary is a great benefit of being part of the military community.
Not all veterans are authorized to shop at the commissary however.
The commissary will not allow anyone to shop there without proper ID.
There are certain qualifications that must be met to be granted access. It isn’t up to the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) to decide who can shop there.
The Department of Defense Instruction 1330.17, DoD Commissary Program outlines all authorized patrons to include: active duty, Guard and Reserve members, military retirees, Medal of Honor recipients, 100 percent disabled veterans and their authorized family members.
The DoD exercises close scrutiny over patronage of military commissaries to ensure the continued effectiveness of military commissaries as an integral part of the military compensation package.
This privilege is also extended to USPHS Commissioned Corps, the NOAA Commissioned Corps and its predecessors, cadets and midshipmen of the Military Service academies and Wage Marine Personnel. There are certain categories of retired military that also are granted access.
These categories include: all military personnel that are on the official retired list, whether active or reserve, who retired with pay, were granted retirement pay for a physical disability or are entitled to retirement pay even if this pay is waived or pending due to the age requirement. Enlisted men and women that are transferred to the Fleet Reserve of the Navy or Marine Corps Reserve after 20 or more years of active service are also allowed to take advantage of the commissary privilege.
Another group that is also granted access to the commissary includes: officers and crew members of vessels, lighthouses keepers and depot keepers of the former Lighthouse Service that retired. This group includes retired civilian employees of the Coast Guard who were lighthouse keepers of the previously named Lighthouse Service and who retired as civilian employees of the Coast Guard as lighthouse keepers or who were on lightships or other vessels.
Retired wage Marines, including retired noncommissioned ships officers, and those who were on NOAA are also able to utilize commissary benefits. 100 percent disabled veterans who were honorably discharged that have a 100 percent service-connected disability or those that are 100 percent unemployable can use the commissary as well.
Families that are able to shop at the commissary include: dependent children and spouses, serving family members and unmarried former spouses. These benefits are also extended to DoD civilian employees and their families when stationed outside of the United States and outside of its territories. Official DoD organizations are able to purchase goods from the commissary as well.
Some service members will leave with a short time to maintain their commissary benefits. A member that is involuntarily separated from active duty can use the commissary for 2 years after the separation. This also includes members of Select Reserve of the Ready Reserve that are separated and granted access to the commissary for 2 years. Service members that receive sole survivor discharge can shop at the commissary for 2 years after service ends.
A commissary cashier checks groceries at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. (U.S. Air Force/Margo Wright)
Employees of DeCA can purchase goods at the commissary for immediate consumption, such as for lunch while at work. Other civilians that are allowed to shop at the commissary include DoD presidentially appointed and Senate-confirmed officers and their families that live on a military installation that has a commissary. DoD civilian employees who are stationed TDY overseas can also use this benefit. Some military personnel of foreign nations can also use the commissary.
In overseas areas American National Red Cross and United Service Organizations (USO) can also take advantage of the commissary privilege. The Armed Services Young Men’s Christian Association can also shop at the commissary overseas. Emergency access may be granted to others overseas.
This is a very extensive list and a few more civilian personnel that can shop at the commissary can be found here under the DoD Instruction. Further information can also be found on this site.
Military service that does not continue through retirement are not allowed to use the commissary. This means even if you served in war and put your life on the line, you cannot use the commissary unless you stayed in until retirement.
In regard to disabled veterans, if the disability is less than 100 percent previous service members cannot shop at the commissary. Those on delayed entry into the service cannot use the commissary either.
You can contact the Pass and ID office on a military installation to ask if your situation grants access to the commissary or not. The commissary will not allow anyone to shop there without proper ID that specifically states commissary benefits.
Yes, I think that Commissary and Exchange priveleges should be granted to all those veterans rated under 100% on a limited basis of 12 shopping trips a year plus a bonus trip during November in honor of Veterans Day. Those Veterans can recieve special cards each year that can be stamped on the day they choose to shop at the Commissary and the Exchange. They can also, get a special military ID so they can get access onto base to do their shopping. Then while at the Exchange they can get special coupons each trip that entitle them to use the Shopmyexchange.com website for an online order once each month and an extra time during Veterans Day.
Sounds good to me. Though they have a hiring freeze at our BX at Patrick Airforce Base due to not enough revenue. Sounds to me they need let all veterans shop on base.
Active Duty Wife.
Absolutely not
I think you have a great idea here. I am an ART or Air Reserve Technician with more than 30 years of active and reserve service combined. I have full access to the commissary and it will continue when I retire in s few years. It is a great benefit. I remember when as a reservist we could only use the commissary once a month. You would get your card punched. Since 9/11 that’s all changed. If you served your country for at least a four year tour, at the very least you, a monthly access should be allowed. Many Vets are struggling to make ends meet. The numbers are staggering. This could help.
I do not believe any other veterans nor civilians other than the ones already authorized privileges should be able to shop the commissary. I do not believe that the personnel that work for the commissary that do not already have privileges should be able to shop even if it is just for lunch. None of these personnel did there time in the military especially the civilians they do not deserve to have a privilege such as the commissary.
I agree I also do not agree on dod workers being able to shop commissary savings,
yes :they did not do time in the military ,, good thinking
you are an idiot. most of the people that work at the commissary ARE veterans. if you say that, then spouses and family members of retired Military shouldn’t be able to shop there either because they didn’t deploy or spend time at war their significant other did. MORON. I spent time at war and your telling me because your married to someone you can have those privileges and not me? yeah go F yourself
Wow, You are a callous person, needless to say:
Veterans of any military branch DID put in their time. Their time was typically defined with a Discharge document signifying, they did their time. Many in fact spent time under direct fire while many who are still doing their time sat behind a desk.
Choose your words carefully next time you speak. Veterans are called Veterans for their service not the amount of time of service.
I believe ALL Disabled Veterans should be able to shop the Commissary and Exchange…..
I too believe all service connected disabled vets should be allowed to shop at the commissaries.
Many get injuries or diseases while in service through no fault of their own and their military career ends at
that point.
This is a really tough call the way it is presented. However, as with so many “companies”, if you choose to leave before you are eligible for extended benefits, you don’t receive them.
I don’t think that anything should be changed concerning commissary privileges. Some one who did 4yrs should not get the same privileges as some one who did 20 or 30 yrs.
Only people who have a disability of 50 percent should also have right to commissary active duty retired From active duty and reserve
I don’t think that anymore should be authorized to shop at the commissaries than what is presently authorized to do so. Just because your a veteran shouldn’t be cause to allow shopping at the commissary anymore than being authorized to shop in the Post/Base Exchange. My thought is – do the time and earn the bennies.
USA SGM Ret
I think all veterans should have Commissary and PX Exchange benefits because they did serve their country whether they retired or not. We do not know why they didn’t continue their service with the (Military) some have medical problems that happened during their service time and they should not be denied the benefits. It’s only fair that they have these benefits regardless, if they served until retirement or not, (some are medically retired) and are not receiving 100% disability.
Mrs. Coley-Ross
after serving 20yrs in the forces (both USA and Canada) and 26 yrs for my husband,it is our opinion that ALL military veterans, active, reserve, retired, war vets, disabled, etc should be allowed to shop at the military commissary.. All military trades and roles have and has had an important role in the mission we live and fight for war and peace. Who’s to say how one is more important than the other or how much time you served or how broken you now are, the point is you served and should be respected on all levels, not looked down on or judged to shop for food.. This is not a tough question, you want to give back and respect military. Take down the barriers and respect all not some. whoever said shop once a month with a punch pass is out to lunch. Grow up and get some common sense, disabled is disabled, regardless of DVA putting a percentage on them. More can be said about this to get my point across but I shouldn’t have to, it’s Common sense!
We have young men in the military who volunteered to put their lives on the line for this great country, but they are not allowed to drink alcohol, because they are not 21.. Is that fair? I feel that any disabled veteran should be allowed to use the commissary.
Yes, ALL Veterans should be able to shop at the commissary. So because someone didn’t qualify for 100% disability but got 95 or 80 shouldn’t be able to shop there? Then someone stated something about they don’t deserve the benefits if they didn’t do the full time. What? They’re getting a discount on groceries not free money. Letting someone shop isn’t hurting anyone. The more money people spend in the store, the more money the store makes no matter whose money it is.
NO! The commissary benefit was always intended as a retention tool for currently serving military and a reward/retirement benefit for those military members that served long enough to earn a pension. It was not intended for those Vets that decided not to stay (active or reserve). When you quit GM, you don’t expect to get the no-hassle employee discount on your next GMC truck, nor when you quit Delta Airlines you don’t expect to keep flying for free. Many industries have perks for their current employees and retirees but they don’t give them to everyone. I salute all veterans but every veteran knows there are benefits to continued service, responsibilities, and risks. If they want the benefit then they should continue to serve at least as a reservist. I also agree with the logic extended to other US uniformed services, foreign military serving in USA, and even to civilian team members supporting our armed forces OCONUS. I do not agree with extension of this benefit to any political appointee (regardless of where he lives) in CONUS nor to Service Academy Cadets (why do they need this? They live at academies and eat in DFACs). Every time we expand this benefit, we create more enemies within the local grocery merchants and food distribution industry.
No, I do not believe ALL veterans should be allowed commissary privileges. I am a 30-year veteran and retiree. To do so would flood the commissary system to the point that commercial grocery shops and chains would complain to Congress that it is a government subsidized activity that takes away their business. Each year there is a move by Congress to close the commissary system as unnecessary unfair competition. . We need to remember that “ALL veterans” includes just about all service men and women from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and every else to date. Many of these folks do not have service related disabilities and never left the states during their service. Further, a “veteran” is defined by the VA as anyone who has served at least 90 days on active duty – so is this a proposal to give a lifetime commissary benefit someone who served 91 days, most of which would have been in basic training? The present rules on eligibility are sufficient; let’s not ruin a good thing for those who have earned the privilege.
NO…ONLY THE PRESENTLY AUTHORIZED GROUP SHOULD BE ABLE TO USE THE COMMISSARY. IF WE OPEN THE COMMISSARY SYSTEM TO ALL WE STAND A GOOD CHANCE OF LOSING IT. THE EXTRA PEOPLE USING THE SYSTEM WOULD MAKE THE COMMISSARIES TOO BUSY. A REPUBLICAN CONGRESS ALREADY DESIRES TO ELIMINATE COMMISSARY USE…LETS NOT ADD FUEL TO THEIR FIRE.
I remember when they offered members of the Army the chance to leave with money after 10-15 years of service. Many of them took the money and left knowing that they gave up their privileges. Now they are regretting those choices. When they weren’t made to sign the papers. I remember talking to several people that it could be a mistake. So No I don’t think they should be allowed to shop the commissary.
Jackie. I agree with your assessment of this privilege
its an earned benefit and no not everyone should be allowed
I volunteer into the Army when I was just 17 yeas old in 1973. I signed a blank check for my country to include my life defending it. Yes every veteran should have access to the Commissary and the PX, the veterans earned it.
NO-military retirees ONLY
Very simple, NO!
No I do not believe it should be for those who do not retire or not disabled.
I do not believe that you should unless you retire.
No you should not get commissary privileges unless you retire
from the military.
I believe that if they qualify for any benefits from the VA, all prior service members should have some kind of access to commissary and their families too. I, as a parent to a dependent child and ex wife to a retired service member, just found out that I would have permission to shop exchange and MWR but not commissary. So…….I can purchase a $2000 TV for my child but cant buy food to put in her mouth???? The new rules state that if dependent does not reside with sponsor 100% they loose commissary. What about teens/ young adults who are in college?? What about children under 18 who split their time between parents?? I know that I cant buy items for myself, but this greatly affects my children lives. I cant believe that commissary should be excluded.
I think the rules are fine as they are.. Members of the military who served for 20 years or more deserve some
perks. What will be next==Retirement pay for each year served. Not in our life time.
Keep It The Way It Is!!!
I understood that my husband spent 22 years in the Navy for this privilege and that anyone who served only one term and got out should not have the same privilege, My husband tried to get a sleep apnea test at the V A Hospital and was told he was ineligible as he was a retiree and not a veteran. As you can see there is a difference.
Economically, the commissary offers lower prices in most areas located outside of the CONUS. Therefore, it would be an economic incentive for ALL veterans given the opportunity to shop there. It could also be a great revenue generator for DECA should the option become available to ALL veterans. However, it could have a negative impact to the small business community who would have to compete with the commissary which has an economic advantage over the other retailers such as landing costs and tax on imports.
From a social standpoint, every veteran should be given the opportunity to shop at the commissary. I retired after 29 years of service and I am grateful to have this privilege. With all the budget cuts and movement to reduce the force, these opportunities should be explored.
Perhaps, DOD directive should establish a 5-year pilot program that would offer veterans with 10 or more years of service to shop at the commissary. Within the 5 year period, review the results of the program and make the necessary adjustments to improve the services of the program and determine the long and short-term effects both economically and socially. This would be good start to a healthy veteran community.
I think veteran like me should be able to shop in the comisary because I gave the army nine good year off my life and a went to war for more that year and I left the army because my babys got sick and I have to choose to stay in the army that I love o be with my babys and my babys are first. I wish that I didn’t left the army some time but that was the correct tin to do.
We have evolved to a different time and military status. We have more recognition for service than was ever present before. Commissary privileges are minimal benefits for serving your country during any war or conflict. The pay military members retain is certainly not what they join for, therefore I think Commissary privileges would be a minimal and potentially economically beneficial benefit we should extend our service members who have earned the right to be called Veteran.
Again, Veterans are not called Veterans just for belonging to a branch of service. They must have served during a conflict.
Have you ever thought about the idea that being 100% disabled is a definition and is not always the same. I have a friend that was called 20% disabled for years and now he is called 100% none service connected and unemployable.by the VA. His disability was caused by his military service but he gets no Commissary privileges with 15 years of total service. He was medically discharged but has no benefits other than VA. How do you compensate someone that was 100% disabled for years and they just never bothered to pay him for more than 70%? My son in law has been told by the VA that he was first 90% and then 100% but he still receives 70% compensation so no Commissary, PX or dependent benefits. Local stores want everyone to shop in their stores so they want to close the Commissary. Vets are not a major population group except around military bases so guess who wants the Commissary closed that’s right the stores around military bases.
I think the DoD needs to quit it’s antiquated thinking of the Commissary and AAFES Exchange services being a benefit. Let’s be real about it, sometimes the Commissary has decent prices, but what is realistic is the convenience factor. The military is a tight knit community, and for those military families who enjoy that espirit de corps, it is a place to do your shopping that is military inclusive. I will tell you, I’ve never heard a young soldier say “Well chief, I was not going to re-enlist, but you just can’t beat the prices on those bananas.” It’s absurd to think that people see this as a true benefit to something. The DoD needs to think smart about expanding the customer base so that during a drawdown, we aren’t losing that so called “benefit” to the Soldiers still staying in. I would replicate how the VA views benefits for disabled Veterans. Here it is.
1. Any disabled Veteran who is 50% SC or more should be allowed to access post exchange and commissary privileges, no such thing as dependents, that disabled Veteran must be present, it’s a post security issue.
2. Any DoD civilian permanent employee should have unrestricted access to post exchange and commissary privileges. These individuals support the Army in a way by working long, and sometimes excruciating hours, ON POST. They should be able to conveniently access nearby stores to buy themselves whatever they need to more comfortably do their job in supporting the military.