Commissary Access Rules Loosened

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The Defense Department has sent out interim guidance to permit broader access to military exchanges, commissaries, morale/welfare/recreation and lodging facilities for DoD civilian employees and their dependents evacuated due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The policy applies to employees and their dependents evacuated from duty stations in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas under evacuation orders issued by a commander or equivalent DoD authority. The guidance states that installation commanders may permit temporary limited access to the facilities, generally to exclude the purchase of alcohol, tobacco and uniform items, when it is impractical for the employees to procure supplies from civilian stores. The policy is effective the earlier of the cancellation of the evacuation order or 180 days from September 23.