Commissary — Local services in Guam

First off, the parking lot is massive, so finding a spot is a breeze. But before you dive into the shopping experience, there’s a friendly face at the entrance checking IDs.

Right off the bat, you’re hit with the sale items displayed outside and just inside the door. It’s like a little teaser of the deals to come. And don’t miss the clearance rack near the entrance, it’s a goldmine for bargain hunters.

Now, let’s talk produce. The selection isn’t exactly the Garden of Eden, especially when it comes to fruits, and the prices can be a bit steep compared to what you’d find off base.

The commissary is getting a much-needed fridge facelift, which is great because those refrigerator units have been on the fritz more often than not.  The shelves, which should be stocked with daily necessities, often greet you with their barrenness. The sight of empty racks where water, soda, bread, yogurt, and frozen chicken should be is all too common, making a quick grocery run a game of hit or miss. And yep, you read that right, only frozen chicken here, no fresh poultry in sight.

The bulk meat purchasing is another story. It’s like a free-for-all, with some shoppers loading up entire carts as if prepping for an apocalypse. This isn’t just stocking up; it’s hoarding, and it leaves others staring at empty spaces where choice cuts once lay. It’s clear that a limit on bulk purchases could go a long way in ensuring there’s enough to go around.

For those craving a taste of the Philippines, you might find the Filipino food section a tad underwhelming, especially given Guam’s sizable Filipino community. It’s a stark contrast to the Yokosuka commissary’s large section of sauces, snacks and canned items.

A heads-up on the carts: they’ve seen better days. Some are sporting wheels that have definitely navigated their fair share of aisles. But here’s a neat perk, commissary overseas takes coupons that are up to six months past their...

9/25: Praise the grocery store gods! So much improvement in a 6 month span! This store is more stocked, has friendlier staff and cashiers. Have the option to bag our own groceries and not feel negative judge eyes by the lazy baggers. Feels so much better to shop here. Went on a Sunday and the commander was there. Such a hard worker. Glad the civilians snapped too and did their job and followed his good example.

When civilians fail perform their duties with a positive demeanor, they need a 3 strikes program to clean ship and make way for those deserving federal pay and benefits.

But when they are on point on their own regard and under good leadership, it’s smooth sailing and happy service members who deserve convenience and efficiency for their families while they stay mission ready.

I haven’t seen the big manager dude with his bad aura. I’ll assume he’s gone since the atmosphere is way more positive.

3/2025: Ok it’s getting annoying shopping here. Lines were all the way back to the frozen section. Only 3 cashiers and 2 self check out machines were working. 10+ baggers yet they’re too busy talking to each other that my cashier helped bag the groceries. They should limit these extra useless bodies if they’re not going to help. Yes they work for tips but they usually have bad attitude and don’t know how to pack to protect the groceries. (They put a frozen meat with my paper boxed items and all the boxes were warped from the condensation.) And the older ladies have no senses of courtesy. They usually gossip at high volumes that I can’t even hear the cashier when I ask a question.

Train them how to pack, limit the numbers, improve customer service, get rid of negative / lazy / bad attitude people (baggers and cashiers).

2/2025: Lines are too long for 10am. Only 1 cashier and 3 self...

Stock on common & basic items is always low to none existent. Constantly issues with bugs IN products and/or food tasking like soap. Then HQ sends a team that has Probably NEVER even heard of GUAM to reduce the shelves, and REDUCE types of products that are supposed to be available, but without a list or map that specifies what the store should actually have available. As if food being shipped or stored incorrectly (which is why it taste like soap) isn't bad enough, now the medicine is on shelves Right next to cleaning products... (why yes, I would enjoy the taste of 409/cleaning chemicals with my cough syrup or asprine, as it should go amazing with my laundry soap flavored fruit snacks, [insert the "hint" of scarasum]) DeCA has made excuses for decades, oh its store management, it's shipping/ distribution, oh well you know Covid, the port, the store management, system issues, equipment failure, warehouse management, but NOTHING has changed even after removing the employees who were so cause of problem. And it's the same song & dance / blame game or "not my fault" "new to this position" (but not the organization.🤔) The Commissary is a quality of life program especially when overseas or in remote locations, and here on Guam it's an epic fail. Yes the stores in town are more expensive (sometimes 2 times the cost) but by the time you throw away products that are not consumable, or waste time going back for a refund time and time again, you might actually save money, spending more the 1st time of items...