HAPPY BIRTHDAY! On Nov. 10, commissaries honor Marine Corps’ 250 years of service

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FORT LEE, Va. - On Nov. 10, the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) salutes the United States Marine Corps on the 250th anniversary of its establishment by the Continental Congress on that date in 1775.

Navy Command Master Chief Mario Rivers, DeCA' senior enlisted advisor to the DeCA director, has served at sea and on land with Marines throughout his military career and is quick to observe the significance of the Corps' 250-year history.

"I'm proud to acknowledge the Marine Corps' legacy of service on their 250th anniversary," Rivers said. "And as DeCA's liaison for all military members, I'm here to say the commissary celebrates our Marines and their families every day by delivering the commissary benefit they've earned.

"Commissaries exist to provide the Marine Corps community - active duty, reservists, retirees and their family members, as well as disabled veterans and their caregivers - the highest quality product at the lowest price possible to help them boost their financial and food security with at least 25 percent savings on their groceries."

Before the Corps established commissary operations, Marines and sailors on warships were issued weekly rations that typically consisted of 3 pounds of salt pork, beef, or fish; a pound of dried peas; a pound of flour; a pound of coffee; a wad of tobacco and biscuits known as hardtack, a staple in their diets also known as ship's bread. The rations lacked nutritional value and flavor.

Marines and their Navy shipmates also received a half pint of spirits each day, served under controlled conditions to help prevent drunkenness aboard ship.

In the 18th century, one major challenge Marines and sailors at sea faced was procuring fresh fruit and vegetables. When they pulled into port, the crew and embarked Marines would often purchase goods from local vendors. However, the fruit and vegetables began to rot within a couple of days of being aboard ships without refrigeration or effective storage.

Bumboat operators, vendors who peddled their provisions to visiting ships, sold a vast array of foods to the crews when they pulled into port including fruit, vegetables, coffee, tea, rum, tobacco and even baked goods. However, they often charged exorbitant prices and took advantage of the Marines and sailors desperate need for these goods.

By 1909, Congress began establishing ships' stores aboard each ship in an attempt to combat the bumboat operators. These became the first Navy commissaries long before its brick-and-mortar stores were created.

In the early 1920s, Marines established their own commissary operations in buildings that had once been used as warehouses. After World War II, there were just under two dozen Marine Corps commissaries.

On Oct. 1, 1991, DeCA assumed control of all U.S. military commissaries worldwide. Today, there are 17 commissaries at Marine Corps bases, including three in Okinawa and one on the mainland in Japan.

All of the commissaries offer modern conveniences such as online ordering and curbside pickup with Commissary CLICK2GO®, self-checkout registers, digital coupons, sushi bars, hot and foods, deli/bakeries, credit and debit card acceptance, gift cards and dietitian-approved resources to help identify nutrient dense foods in the stores.

"As the Marine Corps continues to live up to its motto of 'Semper Fidelis' or 'Always Faithful,' DeCA will continue to provide the troops and their families a commissary benefit that saves them thousands of dollars annually on their grocery purchases compared to similar products at commercial stores," Rivers said.

-DeCA-

About DeCA: The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees, disabled veterans and other authorized patrons and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Commissaries provide a military benefit, saving authorized patrons thousands of dollars annually on their purchases compared to similar products at commercial retailers. The discounted prices include a 5-percent surcharge, which supports the costs of building, modernizing and sustaining commissary facilities. A core military family support element and valued part of military pay and benefits, commissaries contribute to family readiness, enhance the quality of life for America's military services and their families, and help recruit and retain the best and brightest men and women to serve their country.