Military ID

My sons just got back from xmas with their father who is recently retired from the USAF. When the kids were there he took them for their military ID dependent cards. Which means I can take them to any RAF/USAF base here in the UK and get American food!!! ha ha ha good xmas present that will keep on giving for the next 10 years!  Luck Charms and A&W root beer, are a few things on my list!

God I miss the commissary and BX!  It's funny how you never realize how much you miss it till it's gone!

rumor has it some bases even have...gasp...taco bell!!!!!

cool! glad your ex "husbeast" is good for something!! so, can we give you our shopping lists?

Ricki, How does that work? Do you pay in pounds or dollars? Can you bring a friend

God I miss the commissary and BX!  It's funny how you never realize how much you miss it till it's gone!

Amen to that!

June

Ricki, How does that work? Do you pay in pounds or dollars? Can you bring a friend

You pay in dollars on the base (except some of the food places accept both UK and US money).  And yes, you can bring a guest.

I LOVE going to the Commissary!

Ricki, How does that work? Do you pay in pounds or dollars? Can you bring a friend

Yeah, can you?? 

You pay in dollars on the base (except some of the food places accept both UK and US money).  And yes, you can bring a guest.

I LOVE going to the Commissary!

But...it's kind of like CostCo where if the guest is buying something, the sponsor (ie. person bring the guest) should pay...generally they'll ask for a military ID if using a credit/debit card...but then again it probably varies base to base.  If you just use cash there shouldn't be any problem at all. 

what kinds of american food do they have at us bases here in the uk?

what kinds of american food do they have at us bases here in the uk?

Most the commissaries (navy) px, etc. stock the same things you'd find any US supermarket.  Think Publix, Winn Dixie, Food Lion, etc.  Same thing.  Bases usually have fast food places too.  The last base I was stationed at was brand new so I had to wait almost until it was time for me to leave to experience fast food again!  They had Subway, Burger King and were building an A&W (like the rootbeer), KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell.  I believe they were also getting Dunkin Donuts but I'm not sure about that.

June

maybe i should go home and enlist!!! jk!

If you shop for non-military ID card holders in a commissary, you are risking losing your privileges!  Just be careful!  Especially if you buy the products and then resell them, that is considered blackmarketing and the US military folks really don't appreciate that.  As a spouse of a retiree who has privileges, I really resent it when this happens.  We "earned" the privilege of having these stores available to us.  We have given up so many things by being in the military having to pick up and move all over at a moments notice as well as the many deployments and being without our husband/father for many months at a time in not so nice places.  So really think about it before you start accepting "shopping lists" and purchasing for those who are not eligible.  Even as a retiree over here, we have to pay 17.5% vat on all of our purchases since that is what the British government requires even though those stores are considered U.S. property and we served for 29 years on active duty!  Just my 2 cents!

If you shop for non-military ID card holders in a commissary, you are risking losing your privileges!  Just be careful!  Especially if you buy the products and then resell them, that is considered blackmarketing and the US military folks really don't appreciate that.  As a spouse of a retiree who has privileges, I really resent it when this happens.  We "earned" the privilege of having these stores available to us.  We have given up so many things by being in the military having to pick up and move all over at a moments notice as well as the many deployments and being without our husband/father for many months at a time in not so nice places.  So really think about it before you start accepting "shopping lists" and purchasing for those who are not eligible.  Even as a retiree over here, we have to pay 17.5% vat on all of our purchases since that is what the British government requires even though those stores are considered U.S. property and we served for 29 years on active duty!  Just my 2 cents!

Yes of course I understand. It was never my intention to shop for anyone or take anyone shopping with me. I was sharing my joy at the thought of pouring my kids (both military dependants)a bowl of Lucky Charms or having a box of Kraft Mac n Cheese with a glass of A&W.

But as a side note...as much as the US gov't tries to stick their noses in on our childrens' citizenship issues I dont mind socking it to them ever chance I get. But that of course is a topic for another discussion.

If you shop for non-military ID card holders in a commissary, you are risking losing your privileges!  Just be careful!  Especially if you buy the products and then resell them, that is considered blackmarketing and the US military folks really don't appreciate that.  As a spouse of a retiree who has privileges, I really resent it when this happens.  We "earned" the privilege of having these stores available to us.  We have given up so many things by being in the military having to pick up and move all over at a moments notice as well as the many deployments and being without our husband/father for many months at a time in not so nice places.  So really think about it before you start accepting "shopping lists" and purchasing for those who are not eligible.  Even as a retiree over here, we have to pay 17.5% vat on all of our purchases since that is what the British government requires even though those stores are considered U.S. property and we served for 29 years on active duty!  Just my 2 cents!

No one is talking about backing a U-Haul up to the store and filling it up to sell on the streets. I cannot tell you how many people I knew that would take friends in and make purchases for them, enlisted and officer alike. Pebbles never said anything about doing purchases for other people, this is lighthearted banter between people on this forum. It is a great benefit to have the commissaries and the Exchanges - God how I miss them.