The Department of Defense announced in November that
when President Bush signed the National Defense Authorization Act for
fiscal year 2004, the following service members and their families would
be permitted unlimited access to military commissaries:
- Members of the Ready Reserve (which includes members of the
Selected Reserve, Individual Ready Reserve and Inactive National
Guard) and members of the Retired Reserve who possess a Uniformed
Services Identification Card.
- Former members eligible for retired pay at age 60, yet have not
yet attained the age of 60, and possess a Department of Defense
Civilian Identification Card.
- Families of the members described above who have a Uniformed
Services Identification Card or who have a distinct identification
card used as an authorization card for benefits and privileges
administered by the Uniformed Services.
"Instructions have gone out to all continental
U.S. stores informing them that Guardsmen and Reservists now have
unlimited shopping privileges, and telling store managers how to welcome
Guard and Reserve members to the full use of the commissary
benefit," said Patrick Nixon, deputy director of the Defense
Commissary Agency. "Commissary shoppers will begin to see banners
saying ‘Welcome Guard and Reserve to Full Time Savings,' along with
other events recognizing these new full-time shoppers."
In the past, Guard and Reserve members were
authorized only 24 commissary-shopping days per calendar year.
Commissaries have immediately adopted the new provisions, which means
Guard and Reserve members will no longer have to present a Commissary
Privilege Card when they shop.
"I want to thank Congress and the Department of
Defense for their efforts in bringing the commissary shopping privilege
to the total force," Nixon said. "The Congress included
unlimited commissary benefits in the National Defense Authorization Act
thus making full time shopping possible for the men and women who serve
their nation in the National Guard and Reserve."
Nixon also said that special thanks should go to
Charles Abell, principal deputy under secretary of defense for personnel
and readiness. Abell
