The Changing Role of Military Commissaries: A Glimpse Into the Past and Future

Growing up in a military household, trips to the commissary were a regular part of life. My family depended on the commissary not just for convenience but for the incredible value it offered. Back then, the savings were significant, and the sense of community in those aisles was something unique. I haven’t visited a commissary in years, but I often hear from military families today that the values just aren’t what they used to be.

Now, the Defense Commissary Agency (DCA) is testing something new—a pilot program that allows civilians working on select military bases to shop at commissaries for the first time. Locally, this includes commissaries at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Joint Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Naval Base Norfolk, Naval Air Station Oceana, and Norfolk Naval Shipyard. These are among 16 commissaries nationwide participating in the trial, which runs through March.

Traditionally, commissaries were an exclusive benefit for service members, their families, and retirees. Prices were subsidized by the federal government, offering an average 23% discount on groceries and other goods. However, competition from crowded retail markets in areas like Hampton Roads, combined with the rise of online shopping, has significantly impacted commissary sales. A 2022 Government Accountability Office (GAO) study showed worldwide sales have been declining since 2015, with inconsistent discounts sometimes varying from base to base.

Despite these challenges, commissaries remain a vital resource for many military families. In fact, the Norfolk commissary was named the best commissary in the system in 2023—a bright spot amid the shifting landscape.

The pilot program is targeting installations with a large number of civilian Department of Defense employees, but it comes with limitations: families of DOD employees or retirees are not eligible to shop on base during this test.

As the program continues, it will be interesting to see how opening commissary doors to civilians might reshape the role these stores play within the military and surrounding communities. Whether it revives the values many of us remember or adjusts to meet new needs, it’s clear the commissary system is evolving.