RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Airmen ate fresh-grilled hot dogs and hamburgers May 21 in the parking lot of Randolph Air Force Base's commissary, while live music alternated with tunes spun by a local radio station's disc jockey. Then Airmen raced shopping carts against each other to win expensive prizes -- like Nintendo Wiis.
The events were the culmination of a month-long, world-wide campaign on military bases by the Defense Commissary Agency. Called the 'Commissary Commando' competition, it was all part of Commissary Awareness Month.
The objective of the competition was to introduce the single, first-term Airmen living in dorms, to commissary benefits and to show that shopping there is financially worth the trip.
Randolph's observance of the month began May 1st with the kick-off of a tour of the commissary, which was followed by a free lunch cooked with products sold there. The following Thursday, Airmen were invited to the store to play "The Price is Right," with the grand prize being a Nintendo Wii.
On May 12, the commissary held a tour and lunch for local and Team Randolph first responders. On May 15, Airmen participated in a 'Commando Run' to promote fitness. Immediately after, commissary officials fed the runners a heart-healthy breakfast.
The president of the RAFB Dorm Council, Airman 1st Class Samantha Harrison, Air Force Personnel Center junior relocation technician, said convenience and the freshness of the commissary's food are a big reason she shops there.
"A lot of us young Airmen don't have cars and we come here and buy what we need," she said. "You don't have to shop off base, and the commissary has brand-new, fresh cut meat every day."
Randolph Commissary store director Ruby Ervin said meat can be cut to fit the needs of the single Airman. Plus, she said the store stocks ready-to-cook, healthy dinners and an improved deli with ready-to-eat sandwiches featuring prices that are much less expensive than what Airmen would find while shopping at off-base facilities for similar products.
"We're here to educate Airmen about what we offer," Ms. Ervin said. "The commissary's not there just for big families."
One smaller Air Force family present at Thursday's competition, Senior Airman Michael Claiborne, a 12th Mission Support Squadron personnelist, his wife Patricia and their 20-month-old son, watched the competition and commented on the benefits of shopping at the Randolph commissary.
"There's a pretty substantial price difference between shopping at the commissary and buying at civilian stores," Ms. Claiborne said.
Her husband agreed with her.
"Shopping here makes our paycheck go further," Senior Airman Claiborne said.
Commissary Commando competition results will be announced in July, local contest organizers said. So far, officials said Randolph is leading the competition, which offers cash prizes for the most E-1 through E-6 patrons during the month. If Randolph wins, commissary officials and base commando competition organizers have agreed to donate the cash winnings to the Randolph Airman's Council and Dorm Council.