Reports that the U.S. Department of Defense is considering closing all commissaries across the country are not going over well with retired military.
Closing the commissaries is under consideration for 2015 as a Pentagon cost cutting move.
The advantage of shopping at a commissary is that prices tend to be cheaper than at other grocery stores.
Active military along with their families and retired veterans can take advantage of the lower prices.
At the Mayport Commissary just the possibility of closure brings worry and anger to retired members of the military.
Francis Rodriguez said her food cost will skyrocket without the commissary.
“To shop here it’s about a third less than going to Publix or Winn-Dixie." she said. "I served 22 years and this was one of the benefits I was looking forward to having after retirement.”
Rodriguez said the government promised that she would have access to the commissary after she retired. They said the Pentagon should be able to find other budget cuts that wouldn’t be detrimental to retirees and active military.
The closures face an uphill battle since it would need Congressional approval. Veterans groups are expected to strongly oppose the idea. Even if the proposal goes through, it wouldn’t take effect until 2015 at the earliest.
