FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- The Fort Rucker Commissary continues with its mission of serving Soldiers, family members and veterans amidst the many challenges brought on by the need for social distancing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the store is experiencing shortages in high-demand items, such as hand sanitizers, disinfectant sprays and wipes, bleach, toilet paper, paper towels, Marisol Hennessey, store director, said operations are going well overall and suppliers are catching up with the increased demand.
"The Fort Rucker Commissary is facing challenges, as everyone is, during the COVID-19 pandemic," she said. "But we're doing all we can to continue the excellent service our customers have come to expect from us and, at the same time, protect our employees and customers from this threat. We remain fully committed to the Soldiers, family members and veterans of the Fort Rucker community."
That commitment has resulted in a number of changes at the store that affect customers and employees alike, Hennessey said.
- Sneeze guards have been installed at the check-out registers.
- Employees are following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations on wearing face masks, and the Defense Commissary Agency recently mandated that all customers will be required to wear a face covering, as well, starting April 10, according to memo sent by Rogers E. Campbell, DECA Senior Executive Service executive director of store operations.
- All shoppers and employees entering the commissary must have their temperature checked upon entering the store.
- Priority shopping for seniors, disabled, military in uniform, immunocompromised people and spouses of deployed service members with young children can shop between 9-10 a.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays and 10-11 a.m. Sundays.
- Commissary staff asks customers to use credit, debit, Military Star Card or gift cards, if possible, to reduce the transfer and use of cash. Customers can still get cash back as long as the store has the ability to keep sufficient change on hand and does accept cash when necessary.
- Customers are no longer required to sign their credit card transactions. This is being done temporarily to prevent spreading germs from patron to patron.
- As an additional precaution, the commissary has discontinued the use of reusable shopping bags.
“In order to continue to find ways to keep patrons and employees safe during this pandemic, we will soon receive floor graphics that are intended to encourage social distancing at patron check-out,” Hennessey added.
The store director also issued a call for patience from those she and her staff serves after several recent instances of patrons venting their frustrations on commissary employees.
“My team and I have been very dedicated to the mission of ensuring our customers' needs are provided for all given times,” she said. “Many employees have been willing to go above and beyond, including working outside the scope of their normal duties or days off to support one another and our customers.
“Our staff has remained positive and pleasant from the very beginning, despite going through the same problems and stresses as everyone else is going through,” Hennessey added. “We all need to remind ourselves to treat each other with respect and empathy to get through these tough times together.”
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