I love the commissary. In our military career we've enjoyed living near some of the largest and best commissaries; Norfolk, Oceana, San Diego, award-winning Bangor, WA. I love this benefit! I love it so much I've had DeCA's nutritionist, buyers and PAO on my talk show (Navy Homefront Talk!)

Well, till we moved here...

Shortly after we moved to NBVC I noticed this commissary was 'different.' I do not shop on payday. I shop the 'mid-week' to avoid long lines and congestion. I discovered here that if I didn't shop on payday it was likely I would not be able to complete my shopping in one trip. Then I discovered shopping "on" payday didn't insure a successful trip either. To be honest, I don't want to list all the things that frustrated me about shopping at this commissary. Suffice it to say shopping this commissary challenged my love for the commissary.

Till now...

Have you noticed any changes? I sure have! Have you noticed the shelves are stocked? Have you noticed the improved organization of the 'midway'? Have you noticed happier employees? Have you noticed the improved cleanliness and tidyness of the commissary? Have you noticed cheerful cashiers? I completed my last two shopping trips - in total! That hasn't happened in 15 months.

I had to know what made the changes...so I called to speak to the store director. To be honest, I called a couple times over the past year to express my concerns and suggestions (even try to encourage) the [now former] store director. Since I called to seek improvements I am committed to also express appreciation for efforts toward a job well done. To my surprise there is a new, motivated 'interim' store director at our commissary.

I love him! When I expressed my appreciation of the tangible improvements he humbly said, "Thank you, Beth, but please give me a little more time; I've only started." Wait to you see what he has coming down the pike for patrons of the NBVC commissary. He went on to tell me if his initative to [eriodically take a truck-load sale to Pt Magu to make it more convenient for those living there. A fresh seafood bar is coming soon, and he's only just begun.

Perhaps the two most telling evidences of change is the employees...I caught one whistling and smiling while stocking the produce. I teased him a bit about his whistling and he said, "Sometimes happiness bubbles up as a whistle." When I asked why he was so happy he mentioned that he likes his job again. I also spoke to one of the stores administrative employees. She told me she was about to quit but now it is a joy to come to work.

So...if you, like me, gave up on the commissary in the past - check it out again. If you noticed the changes...what do you think? What do you want to see change? Let's let Bill know what we like, what we think would improve our commissary...sound off...