All military commissaries will continue to operate worldwide for a limited amount of time during a potential lapse in appropriations for the Department of War (DoW), the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) announced. 

The days are counting for Congress to pass an appropriations package before current funding for much of the federal government expires at 12:01 a.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 31.  

Senate Democrats said they will not support the bill without changes to the provisions regarding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which could lead to a partial government shutdown this coming weekend.   

DoW funding is part of the overall funding package that is in play.   

Military exchanges remain open during a shutdown because they are largely not funded with appropriations.    

Steve Rossetti, President of the American Logistics Association complimented DoW and DeCA for ensuring commissary operations continue unabated.     

“The Department of War and DeCA Director John Hall have consistently moved to ensure that our military families have access to the commissary benefit during shutdowns and other emergencies, and this demonstrates their continuing commitment to our military and their families,” Rossetti said.   

DeCA OPERATIONS 

In the event of a lapse in appropriation, DeCA has the authority to operate commissaries worldwide through the end of March, using its Defense Working Capital Funds (DWCF). 

Commissary employees would continue to work and are not subject to furlough during this time frame.  

DeCA’s operating status could change depending on the length of a lapse in appropriation but it appears that a short term shutdown lasting a few weeks would be funded with cash reserves or working capital funds.   

If DeCA exhausts its working capital funds, then overseas commissaries and stateside stores identified as remote or austere — where no other sources of food are reasonably available for military personnel — would continue to operate. 

The following stores are identified as remote locations: USCG Kodiak and Fort Greely, Alaska; Fort Irwin and MCMWTC Bridgeport, Calif.; NAS Fallon, Nev.; and Dugway PG, Utah. 

The following CONUS commissaries are designated as “austere”: Anchorage Area store at JB Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska; Los Angeles AFB, Calif.; NAS Jacksonville, Fla.; and NAS Whidbey Island, Wash.  

Given the fluidity of funding priorities, the status of these store operations is subject to change. 

MORE INFORMATION 

Patrons should also check the “Store Information & Holiday Hours” box on their store’s webpage for specific operating schedules. 

In addition, the agency will provide updated store information on its website, Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter) as necessary. 

Service members and their families are encouraged to stay tuned in to their local news outlets for information about any potential impact to services on their installations. 

Source: DeCA 

Edited by Larry Lapka