Whether the actual commissary savings is 20 percent, as maintained by the CBO, or 29 percent as maintained by DeCA, the savings is extremely important to military members. Clearly, commissaries are viewed as part of military compensation. In fact, many label these stores as the number one non-pay benefit that is part of the overall compensation package. Mr. Chairman, the commissary system is one of the most important parts of the total military compensation package, earned through years of sacrifice during a military career. Simply put, while on active duty, the commissary's cheaper goods allow military members to stretch their budgets to adequately feed their families.
Military stores are part of the military retirement package.
Government statistics suggest that 48 percent of the patrons of military stores are military retirees. At every re-enlistment opportunity during their careers, the use of these stores was touted as one of the resultant benefits to look forward to earned by putting your life on the line for at least two decades. Those who established career longevity and reached retired status expect to have these stores. Many, many military retirees live near military bases for that very reason. The commissary helps to compensate for their income losses.