More military commissaries to offer home grocery delivery this year (2024)

FAQs

Can veterans buy groceries at the commissary? ›

Yes. Veterans with a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) documented service-connected disability rating are eligible to shop the commissary.

Commissaries are basically your neighborhood grocery store, located on military installations worldwide. The commissary sells food and household items at prices that are often below other grocery stores. On average, you can cut nearly a third off your grocery bill compared to in-town prices.

Luckily for active-duty service members, DOD civilians, and their dependents, your privilege to shop in military stores is almost always covered under the agreement too. But there are some restrictions. Learn more about how SOFA can affect your military commissary and exchange privileges.

Command Regulations that Govern Overseas Shopping Privileges

Must be receiving full retirement pay and benefits or 100% disabled. Dependents residing or visiting with sponsor are authorized. Dependents residing or visiting without sponsor are not authorized. A reservist must be on active duty (orders).

You can always choose to take your groceries out yourself or use the self-checkout and bag your own order. Using the commissary is a great way to take advantage of a military benefit designed to save you money on groceries. Happy shopping!

In the U.S., you may be eligible for commissary and exchange privileges if you meet one of the requirements listed below. If you're a Veteran or service member, one of these must be true. You: Have a service-connected disability rating and were honorably discharged, or.

The modern surcharge began in 1952 when Congress decided commissaries should be more self-supporting. Congress and the Defense Department directed the military services to have commissaries add a 2 percent surcharge to cover costs of purchasing and maintaining equipment and supplies.

Surcharge is applied to the total value of each commissary purchase because the Congress has mandated collection of surcharge (currently 5 percent) to pay for commissary construction, equipment and maintenance.

I'll tell you what, sister, this is worth at least $3 to $5, the general rule of tipping. Or, another rule of thumb is 25 cents a bag. I even go as far as tipping $1 to $2 to the other bagger at checkout. DeCA sells items to shoppers at cost.

Hardship – Persons who are “stranded on an installation” may purchase small quantities of gasoline, oil, other automotive items, or items necessary for an individual's health. DoD Civilian Employees using Government-authorized vehicles for official business may purchase gasoline for those vehicles.

Can I use my CAC card at the commissary? ›

Active-duty service members can use their card for commissary, exchange and MWR privileges and to receive care at military treatment facilities. How do I get a CAC? Your government sponsor will enroll you in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility System and initiate a background check before you are issued a CAC.

A DOD civilian does not serve in the military but is instead appointed to the federal civil service. DOD civilians work for the military departments (i.e., Army, Navy, and Air Force) as well as other defense agencies and field activities (e.g., Defense Health Agency).

By shopping at your commissary and exchange, you keep more of your hard-earned cash. Plus, you put your dollars to work supporting your military community. The next time you need to do some shopping, visit the commissary and/or exchange on your installation for benefits beyond savings.

Save money when you shop at commissaries and exchanges. Your Everyday Savings reduces the cost of certain commissary items to help service members and their families. Commissary CLICK2GO is an online application for ordering items from the Commissary and scheduling a free curbside pickup.

All disabled Veterans can use their hard-earned Exchange benefit in person at PXs and BXs. “I'm always looking to save a penny here, a penny there,” said Air Force Veteran David Carr, who served for three years, including 1 ½ years in Vietnam. “Every penny adds up.”

All disabled Veterans can use their hard-earned Exchange benefit in person at PXs and BXs. “I'm always looking to save a penny here, a penny there,” said Air Force Veteran David Carr, who served for three years, including 1 ½ years in Vietnam. “Every penny adds up.”

Only with a VHIC can the veteran get access to the base. All a veteran has to do is take their VHIC, along with valid state ID, driver's license or passport, to an installation's Pass and ID office. If this office isn't outside the base, call ahead to find out where to go.

As such, the VA identification cards cannot be used as proof of eligibility to any federal benefits and does not grant access to military installations. You can use your printed Veteran ID Card (VIC) instead of your DD214 to get discounts on goods and services offered to Veterans.

Commissaries are military supermarkets that sell all items at cost plus a 5 percent surcharge. The Defense Commissary Agency oversees 247 stores worldwide on Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard installations. Most of DeCA's larger commissaries are relatively full-service grocery stores.