U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) on July 10 applauded action by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), which has decided not to pursue privatization of the military resale system, which includes commissaries, exchanges, and other retail outlets.
“As a commissary shopper myself, I recognize there is always an opportunity to improve the commissary system,” Rep. Kiggans said. “However, the answer shouldn’t be to privatize, but to work on the system that already exists which our military families know and love. I’m grateful that the [DoD] has chosen to invest in modernization efforts to draw more customers to this valuable benefit.”
The department told lawmakers in April it had determined that “privatization would create an unacceptable risk to the readiness and well-being of service members and their families,” according to the Military Times.
“Our nation’s commissary program has long served as a critical quality-of-life benefit for our service members, military families, retirees, and veterans,” said Rep. Kiggans. “These stores offer affordable groceries at great prices while also offering the variety of choices our service members and their families deserve.”
The decision followed a March 30 letter the congresswoman sent to DoD expressing concerns about current commissary operations and future privatization proposals that she said could undermine the military resale system and diminish a benefit intended to support the military community.
Among her concerns included the Defense Commissary Agency’s decision to charge customers for single-use paper and plastic bags at commissaries across the country, according to her statement.
“I look forward to continuing the work to ensure our commissaries and exchanges remain active and deliver a positive shopping experience for the men and women who serve our country,” she said.