FORT LEE, Va. – Military commissaries worldwide are returning to normal operating schedules effective Oct. 7, said the director and CEO of the Defense Commissary Agency.
“This is certainly good news for our patrons and our employees,” said Joseph H. Jeu. “All our stateside stores are now returning to their regular schedules as of Oct. 7.”
The DeCA announcement comes in the wake of the Department of Defense’s Oct. 5 decision that most Department civilians will be recalled to work beginning Monday. As part of DOD’s guidance, commissary operations were deemed necessary support to service members and their families.
Most stateside stores had previously closed Oct. 2 as part of the government shutdown. Overseas commissaries had been allowed to remain open.
Returning to regular schedules on Monday means stores normally open on that day will serve customers. Those stores that are normally closed on Mondays will be open on their normal operating schedule. Customers are advised to check www.commissaries.com for their store’s operating schedule.
“We recognize the disruption that the shutdown presented to our stateside patrons as far as access to their commissary benefit,” Jeu added.
Since the shutdown began, about 11,000 of DeCA’s more than 16,000 employees were furloughed. The path to stateside commissaries reopening began upon President Obama’s signing of the Pay Our Military Act into law. DOD subsequently determined the legislation did “allow the Department of Defense to eliminate furloughs for employees whose responsibilities contribute to the morale, well-being, capabilities and readiness of service members.”
With all commissaries open, Jeu asked that patrons be patient as product delivery schedules return to normal.
“We will do everything possible to ensure that our shelves are properly stocked with the products our customers want when they shop,” he said. “However, there will be a short adjustment period as our stores settle back into their pre-shutdown operating and delivery routines.”
— DeCA Public Affairs Division
