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brewmeist

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There are lots of important questions being thrown around, but I have a REALLY important question!

Are Midshipmen eligible to shop at the Navy Exchange? More importantly, are their parents??? If not, can parents be guests of Mids, assuming Mids are allowed???

Not a deal-breaker. My son will be a Mid either way! Just figuring out if I should bring the car or SUV when visiting him, depending on what storage room I need.
 
Mid can because they are AD military. Their parents are not allowed to shop at the NEX. You can of course accompany your mid to the store but he/she must make the purchase.

FYI, military are permitted to buy gifts for family members. They are not allowed to shop on their behalf. I will grant you that this law probably isn't heavily enforced but it does exist. So, buying mom a sweater is fine. Taking mom to the NEX and buying a whole new wardrobe (where she pays you back) . . . not fine.
 
Don’t stand in the NEX checkout and have mom or dad hand you cash or credit card.

Mids can also shop at the Commissary.

Pro tip: basic stuff like toothpaste, shave gear, body lotion, protein bars, pit putty (deodorant), detergent, etc., are usually cheaper at Commissary than Exchange. Different agencies.

Mids can shop at any AAFES BX on Army or AF bases, NEX, MCX, CGX.

IDs are checked at check-out in Exchange, so parents can just walk in with mid. At Commissary, IDs must be shown at entry, and they may have a guest log at ID checkpoint. Same rules apply. These are government benefits for authorized users.

Parents can shop to their hearts’ content and wallets’ despair at the MidStore.
 
We hit up the NEX parents weekend. By then, our Mid had heard of ‘that place off the yard’! They have everything. We had a good experience, and an unsuccessful one similar to what’s discussed above. One go through the line was fine (gave our Mid our credit card). One go through wasn’t successful as they wouldn’t accept that same card (with dads name on it, not Mids). We only had a couple things, too (not the whole store).

My preference is the Mid Store and Gift Store (they do actually have some different stock). That’s where you get all you Navy Mom (or dad, grandma, etc) gear that’s a must have. Class blanket(s), class shirt(s), etc. Bring along an extra suitcase. We actually had to buy one [emoji15]. Not exaggerating!
 
Twenty six years as a Corpsman of the Line and one of my most prized possessions is my “Marine Dad” sticker on my truck. Load up on all the proud parent loot you can carry.
 
At Commissary, IDs must be shown at entry,
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Sadly, not everywhere. At the commissary where I shop, you need only show ID at checkout. Bottom line: Don't put your mid/officer in an uncomfortable position by asking him/her to buy stuff for you. And, for many items, you won't save all that much. Yes, some things are cheaper but, if you watch the sales at your local food store, you can find better deals.

IMHO, on a day-to-day basis, the NEX and commissary have better prices, especially on meat. BUT, when major chains (e.g., Macy's, Safeway, Giant) run loss-leader sales (e.g., 2-for-1), you're better off there. I compare prices and some stuff is better quality and cheaper at local grocery/major chain and some stuff is cheaper at the commissary/NEX). It's definitely not such a great deal that you should put your child in an awkward situation.

As CAPT MJ notes, go for it at the MidStore. Parents are welcome and every dollar you spend directly benefits the brigade!!
 
Capt MJ said:
Don’t stand in the NEX checkout and have mom or dad hand you cash or credit card.

Mids can also shop at the Commissary.

Pro tip: basic stuff like toothpaste, shave gear, body lotion, protein bars, pit putty (deodorant), detergent, etc., are usually cheaper at Commissary than Exchange. Different agencies.

Mids can shop at any AAFES BX on Army or AF bases, NEX, MCX, CGX.

IDs are checked at check-out in Exchange, so parents can just walk in with mid. At Commissary, IDs must be shown at entry, and they may have a guest log at ID checkpoint. Same rules apply. These are government benefits for authorized users.

Parents can shop to their hearts’ content and wallets’ despair at the MidStore.
Click to expand...
Further Pro Tip: NEXs are basically a department store with very little that you can't find elsewhere (and usually cheaper). An exception to this is the outdoor equipment section at the West Point Exchange where I've found some interesting stuff. Commissaries on the other hand are supermarkets that are generally cheaper than just about anywhere else including Costco.
From the Standpoint of parents visiting for Parent's Weekend or Football games, etc, I'd recommend not bothering with the NEX or Commissary. The Midstore and visitor's center have the logo/Midmom/Middad/etc stuff and a decent selection of electronics, jewelry, etc.
 
Capt MJ said:
Parents can shop to their hearts’ content and wallets’ despair at the MidStore.
Click to expand...

Amazingly enough, DW visited DD last weekend, walked into the Mid Store, and walked out several minutes later with only things for DD's room. Nothing for her, me or midsib. Whaaaat?!?!
 
The brand names in clothing and athletic gear and shoes are usually cheaper - Coach, Dooney & Burke, Fossil, Kate Spade, Brooks Brothers, Vineyard Vines, Lauren, Under Armour, Columbia, North Face, etc. No sales tax.

Correction to my comment about Commissary ID check above - Commissary at NSA Annapolis has an entry ID check. The Commissary at nearby Ft. Meade does not.
 
I did enjoy the Mid Store. Had they opportunity to go there once and I look forward to do it again. And again. And again...

It's actually a blessing that I can't shop at the other facilities. When my kids were babies, I would go to Sam's Club just for diapers and walk out with a snowblower, flat screen TV, and a 10 lb tenderloin roast. Some of those things were somewhat difficult to sneak by my wife when I got home...
 
brewmeist said:
I did enjoy the Mid Store. Had they opportunity to go there once and I look forward to do it again. And again. And again...

It's actually a blessing that I can't shop at the other facilities. When my kids were babies, I would go to Sam's Club just for diapers and walk out with a snowblower, flat screen TV, and a 10 lb tenderloin roast. Some of those things were somewhat difficult to sneak by my wife when I got home...
Click to expand...


How could you forgot a 13 lb Brisket ???
 
OK..now I'm curious. Back in the ol' days, NEX (and the Midstore) was a great deal, and they were subsidized. Things changed in late 80's, I think it was Gramm-Rudman that required NEX and other amenities like O'club, Golf Course, etc. to break even. By the time I got out, it was barely worth going to NEX for commodities when the local Walmart had things cheaper. Haven't been in a NEX in 30 years, but Midstore certainly isn't a bargain. (That said, I spend freely as proceeds support Brigade activities !)
 
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