Commissaries to remain open during potential government shutdown

Military commissaries will remain open worldwide for a limited amount of time during a potential lapse in appropriation, the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) announced.

“We are committed to doing everything possible to minimize the impact of any budget decisions on our patrons,” said John Hall, DeCA director and CEO. “The Defense Department recognizes how significant the commissary benefit is for our military’s wellbeing and quality of life.”

In the event of a lapse in appropriation, commissaries will continue full operation of commissaries for a period of up to 60 days or until all DeCA defense working capital funds cash are exhausted, Hall said. The agency’s 235 stores serve the military community in 13 countries worldwide.

“Our operating status would be subject to change depending on the length of a lapse in appropriation or until our current funding is exhausted,” he said. “We will always provide updated store information on our website, Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter) as necessary,” he said. “We will do our best to support our military communities whenever and wherever possible.”

If after a lapse in appropriation occurs and DeCA’s working capital funds are exhausted, at that time, overseas commissaries and stores identified as remote U.S. locations where no other sources of food are reasonably available for military personnel would remain open.

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

Hall also recommends that service members and their families stay tuned in to their local news outlets for information about any potential impact to services on their installations.

Kevin L. Robinson,  Defense Commissary Agency Public Affairs Specialist