View source for Army & Air Force Exchange Service

{{Short description|American military retail exchange service}}
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{{Use American English|date=November 2018}}
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{{Infobox company
| name = Army & Air Force Exchange Service
| logo = AAFES Redesigned Logo 2011-vector.svg
| logo_size = 170px
| type = [[Department store]], [[Government agency]]
| num_locations = 5500 (all facilities)
| key_people = [[Tom Shull]], Director/CEO
| industry = Retail
| revenue = {{unbulleted list|{{nowrap|{{increase}} US$8.5&nbsp;billion (2023)<ref name="The Army & Air Force Exchange 2022 Mission Report">{{cite web|url=https://publicaffairs-sme.com/Community/home-v3/annual-reports/ |title=The Army & Air Force Exchange Service 2023 Mission Report|publisher=The Army & Air Force Exchange Service |date=20 June 2023}}</ref>}}|{{nowrap|{{increase}} US$8.2&nbsp;billion (2022)<ref name="The Army & Air Force Exchange 2021 Annual Report">{{cite web|url=https://www.aafes.com/Images/AboutExchange/PublicAffairs/2021-Mission-Report.pdf |title=The Army & Air Force Exchange Service 2022 Annual Report|publisher=The Army & Air Force Exchange Service |date=20 June 2023}}</ref>}}}}
| num_employees = 25,700
| parent = [[United States Department of Defense]] (1947–present)
| foundation = 25 July 1895 <br> (General Orders No. 46) <br> 6 June 1941 <br> (Army Exchange Service)
| location = 3911 South Walton Walker Boulevard, [[Dallas, Texas]],<br>United States 75236
| homepage = [http://www.shopmyexchange.com/ www.shopmyexchange.com]
}}

The '''Army & Air Force Exchange Service''' ('''AAFES''', also referred to as '''The Exchange''' and '''post exchange/PX''' or '''base exchange/BX''') provides goods and services at U.S. Army, Air Force, and Space Force installations worldwide, operating department stores, convenience stores, restaurants, military clothing stores, theaters and more nationwide and in more than 30 countries and four U.S. territories. The Exchange is headquartered in [[Dallas]], Texas, and its director/chief executive officer is [[Tom Shull]]. The largest of the [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]]'s exchange services, it is [https://nrf.com/research-insights/top-retailers/top-100-retailers/top-100-retailers-2024-list No. 52] on the [[National Retail Federation]]'s Top 100 Retailers list.

In addition to their retail support for the military, the Exchange outfits troops with combat uniforms at-cost,<ref name="TipoftheSpear">{{cite web|url=http://publicaffairs-sme.com/ExchangePost/2017/07/27/across-europe-and-tip-of-the-spear-exchange-delivers-a-lifeline-to-america/|title=Across Europe and Tip of the Spear, Exchange Delivers a Lifeline to America|publisher=Army & Air Force Exchange Service|date=27 July 2017}}</ref> and serves approximately 3.1 million school lunches per year for children attending [[Department of Defense Dependents Schools]] overseas.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022 |title=Exchange Quick Facts |url=https://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/exchange-by-the-numbers/ |access-date= |website= |language=en-US}}</ref>

As of Veterans Day, 11 November 2017, military exchanges started offering online exchange shopping privileges to an estimated 18 million [[honorably discharged]] veterans.<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=Defense Visual Distribution Service |title=Army & Air Force Exchange Service Celebrates 127 Years of Serving Those Who Serve |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/428168/army-air-force-exchange-service-celebrates-127-years-serving-those-who-serve |access-date= |website=DVIDS |language=en}}</ref> Disabled veterans, Purple Heart recipients and certain caregivers were given in-store shopping privileges in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DoD to Open Online Exchange Shopping to Veterans |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/1049558/dod-to-open-online-exchange-shopping-to-veterans/ |website=U.S. Department of Defense}}</ref> DoD and Coast Guard employees can shop in stores and online as of 1 May 2021. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Department of Defense Expanding Access to Commissaries, Military Exchanges and Recreation Facilities |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/2015599/department-of-defense-expanding-access-to-commissaries-military-exchanges-and-r/ |website=U.S. Department of Defense}}</ref>

==History==
===Roots===
[[File:1914 Post Exchange.jpg|thumb|left|Soldiers take a break at a post exchange in this 1914 photo.]]
For more than 100 years before the [[base exchange|post exchange]] system was created, traveling merchants known as [[sutler]]s provided American soldiers with goods and services during times of war. Sutlers served troops at Army camps as far back as the [[French and Indian War|French and Indian]] and [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary]] wars.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Habgood |first1=Carol |last2=Skaer |first2=Marcia |page=1 |date=October 1994 |title=One Hundred Years of Service: A History of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service |url=http://www.aafes.com/Images/History/Exchange100YearHistoryBook.pdf |publisher=Army & Air Force Exchange Service |isbn=9995489228}}</ref>

Complaints of sutlers charging premiums for substandard merchandise were widespread during the Civil War, and in 1867, the War Department created the post trader system. While intended to prevent the unscrupulous practices of sutlers, the post trader system still subjected troops to over-inflated prices and was rife with bribery and corruption.<ref>{{cite journal |date=September–October 1966 |title=Post Exchange System |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gWafisFNex8C&q=%22abuses%22&pg=PT254 |journal=JAG Law Review |volume=VIII |issue=5 |page=21 |access-date=5 September 2017 }}</ref>

On 29 November 1880, Col. Henry A. Morrow, seeking to quell disciplinary problems resulting from troops visiting disreputable places of amusement in nearby towns, established the first American military canteen at [[Vancouver Barracks]]. There, troops were provided newspapers and magazines, played billiards and cards, and could obtain light food and drink without leaving post.

The idea was so successful that other posts began establishing canteens across the frontier, providing troops with not only a place to socialize but obtain daily necessities at affordable prices. In 1889, the War Department issued General Orders No. 10, authorizing commanding generals to establish canteens at army posts. Like the modern-day exchange system, these canteens were largely financially self-sustaining.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Habgood |first1=Carol |last2=Skaer |first2=Marcia |pages=9–12 |date=October 1994 |title=One Hundred Years of Service: A History of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service |url=http://www.aafes.com/Images/History/Exchange100YearHistoryBook.pdf |publisher=Army & Air Force Exchange Service |isbn=9995489228}}</ref>

In February 1892, the secretary of war ordered that canteens be henceforth referred to as "post exchanges." This change was due to the popular association of the word "canteen" with the bawdy, immoral behavior alleged to occur in the canteens of foreign armies. By 1895, post traders had been almost entirely replaced on Army posts by post exchanges.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Habgood |first1=Carol |last2=Skaer |first2=Marcia |pages=16–18 |date=October 1994 |title=One Hundred Years of Service: A History of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service |url=http://www.aafes.com/Images/History/Exchange100YearHistoryBook.pdf |publisher=Army & Air Force Exchange Service |isbn=9995489228}}</ref>

===Early developments===

On 25 July 1895, the War Department issued General Orders No. 46, directing commanders at every post to establish a post exchange "wherever practicable." Post exchanges served two missions: first, "to supply the troops at reasonable prices with the articles of ordinary use, wear, and consumption, not supplied by the Government, and to afford them a means of rational recreation and amusement," and second, "provide the means for improving the masses" through exchange profits.<ref>{{cite journal |date=September–October 1966 |title=Post Exchange System |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gWafisFNex8C&q=%22general+orders+46%22&pg=PT256 |journal=JAG Law Review |volume=VIII |issue=5 |page=33 |access-date=5 September 2017 }}</ref>

For the first 45 years of the exchange system, exchanges operated independently under the direction of each post’s [[commanding officer]], meaning there was little uniformity between exchange locations. While the War Department did not centrally control exchange operations, it did hold commanding officers accountable for their financial assets. Exchanges were also subject to annual checks by the Inspector General’s office.

With the outbreak of World War I and subsequent expansion of the U.S. Army, it became clear that the existing post exchange system was not equipped to accommodate such a large-scale effort. Gen. [[John J. Pershing]] enlisted the help of civilian service organizations to provide canteen service overseas, though they proved to lack the equipment and experience necessary to fully meet the needs of downrange troops.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Habgood |first1=Carol |last2=Skaer |first2=Marcia |pages=19–21 |date=October 1994 |title=One Hundred Years of Service: A History of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service |url=http://www.aafes.com/Images/History/Exchange100YearHistoryBook.pdf |publisher=Army & Air Force Exchange Service |isbn=9995489228}}</ref>

===Centralization===

During the mobilization efforts leading up to [[World War II]], the War Department increasingly looked for ways to upgrade its antiquated post exchange system. After completing a review of existing exchanges, Lt. Col. J. Edwin Grose concluded that the Army would need to "become the operator of an extensive chain store system with world wide [sic] branches" to sufficiently meet the demands of a large-scale war effort. In April 1941, an advisory committee of five prominent retail executives affirmed this notion, recommending the creation of a central organization to oversee exchange operations.

On 6 June 1941, the Army Exchange Service (AES) was created.<ref>{{cite journal |date=September–October 1966 |title=Post Exchange System |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gWafisFNex8C&q=%22army+exchange+service%22&pg=PT254 |journal=JAG Law Review |volume=VIII |issue=5 |page=34 |access-date=5 September 2017 }}</ref> On 26 July 1948, AES was renamed the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), continuing its service to the [[United States Air Force|Air Force]], which became a separate service branch the [[National Security Act of 1947|previous September]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Habgood |first1=Carol |last2=Skaer |first2=Marcia |page=39 |date=October 1994 |title=One Hundred Years of Service: A History of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service |url=http://www.aafes.com/Images/History/Exchange100YearHistoryBook.pdf |publisher=Army & Air Force Exchange Service |isbn=9995489228}}</ref>

Since its establishment, the Exchange has been involved in 14 major military operations (to include World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, the Balkans, and Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom) as well as several dozen humanitarian and disaster relief contingencies.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Home/Benefit_Library/Federal_Benefits_Page/Army_and_Air_Force_Exchange_Services_(The_Exchange).html?serv=147|title=Benefit Fact Sheet|website=MyArmyBenefits.com|publisher=U.S. Army|access-date=26 September 2016|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107011029/http://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Home/Benefit_Library/Federal_Benefits_Page/Army_and_Air_Force_Exchange_Services_(The_Exchange).html?serv=147|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Structure and funding==

Part of the [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]], the Exchange is directed by a board of directors responsible to the secretaries of the [[United States Secretary of the Army|Army]] and [[United States Secretary of the Air Force|Air Force]] through the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff|Chiefs of Staff]]. As a non-appropriated fund activity, the Exchange is self-sustaining through the sale of goods and services.<ref name="AAFES Quick Facts">{{cite web |title=Exchange Quick Facts |url=http://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/exchange-quick-facts/ |access-date=29 January 2016 |website=ShopMyExchange.com |publisher=Army & Air Force Exchange Service}}</ref>

Members of the Exchange's 13-member board of directors include [[Caroline M. Miller|Lt. Gen. Caroline M. Miller]], Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services of the U.S. Air Force; [[Sergeant Major of the Army]] [[Michael Weimer]] and [[Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force]] [[David A. Flosi]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Exchange Leadership|url=https://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/our-organization/leadership.htm|website=ShopMyExchange.com|publisher=Army & Air Force Exchange Service|access-date=11 January 2017}}</ref>

==Earnings==

100% of Exchange earnings are invested back into the military community. Approximately 60% of Exchange earnings support military quality-of-life programs, while the remaining funds are used for new store construction and facility costs at no cost to the federal government.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuttgartcitizen.com/news/shopping-the-exchange-generates-219-million-for-military-quality-of-life/|title=Shopping the Exchange generates $219 million for military quality-of-life|date=7 June 2018|website=StuttgartCitizen.com|language=en-US|access-date=23 January 2019}}</ref>

In 2023, Exchange shoppers generated $308 million for installation quality-of-life programs. In the past 10 years, the Exchange has distributed more than $3.7 billion to fund quality-of-life improvements.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Army & Air Force Exchange Service Shoppers Generate $308 Million for Quality-of-Life Programs |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/474149/army-air-force-exchange-service-shoppers-generate-308-million-quality-life-programs |website=Defense Visual Information Distribution Service}}</ref>

==Stores==

[[File:Fort Belvoir Exchange.jpg|thumb|right|The Army & Air Force Exchange Service's Main Store on Fort Belvoir, VA.]]
The Exchange operates more than 5,500 facilities, including main stores, convenience stores, military clothing stores and theaters, nationwide and in more than 30 countries and four U.S. territories.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Exchange Quick Facts |url=https://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/exchange-quick-facts/ |website=aafes.com}}</ref> 

Modern [[Base exchanges|base and post exchanges]] (called BX in the Air Force and Space Force, PX in the Army) provide tax-free goods – including name brands such as [[Sunglass Hut]], [[Old Navy]], [[Gap, Inc.|Gap]], [[Aerie (clothing retailer)|Aerie]] and [[American Eagle Outfitters|American Eagle]] – to authorized shoppers.<ref name="The Army & Air Force Exchange 2022 Mission Report" /> In 2023, the Exchange partnered with The Home Depot to make tax-free appliances available on ShopMyExchange.com.<ref>{{Cite web |title=THE HOME DEPOT PARTNERS WITH ARMY & AIR FORCE EXCHANGE SERVICE TO OFFER TAX-FREE MAJOR APPLIANCES |url=https://corporate.homedepot.com/news/partnerships/home-depot-partners-army-air-force-exchange-service-offer-tax-free-major |website=The Home Depot}}</ref> Many Exchanges also host concession malls with a variety of vendors and storefronts. 

Additionally, the Exchange has more than 1,400 quick-serve restaurants such as [[Subway (restaurant)|Subway]], [[Qdoba]], [[Panera Bread|Panera]], [[Panda Express]], [[Burger King]], Freshens,  [[Popeyes]], [[Taco Bell]], [[Pizza Hut]], [[Charleys Philly Steaks]] and [[Starbucks]] as well as over 3,400 concession operations.<ref name="AAFES Quick Facts" /> While shopping at Exchange stores is limited to authorized patrons, anyone can dine at Exchange restaurants.

All Exchange restaurants offer better-for-you menu items, part of the Exchange’s BE FIT 360 initiative devoted to holistic health. The program also encompasses fitness apparel and gear and on-installation wellness services such as optometry, dental, chiropractic and more.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BE FIT 360 |url=https://publicaffairs-sme.com/Community/befit/ |website=publicaffairs-sme.com/Community}}</ref>

== Authorized Shoppers ==
Authorized patrons of the Exchange include members of Active Duty, members of the [[Reserve components of the United States Armed Forces|Reserves]] and [[National Guard of the United States|National Guard]], retired members of the U.S. [[Uniformed services of the United States|uniformed services]], recipients of the Medal of Honor and [[Purple Heart]], disabled veterans and certain caregivers, honorably discharged veterans (online only), DoD and Coast Guard civilians and others.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Exchange – Exchange Stores – Authorized Patrons |url=http://www.aafes.com/exchange-stores/patrons-merchandise/patrons.htm}}</ref>

==Employees==

The Exchange employs approximately 25,700 associates worldwide in the United States, Europe, the Pacific and the Middle East. About 45% of the Exchange's U.S. workforce is veterans and military spouses. <ref name="AAFES Quick Facts" /> The Exchange was named the No. 1 Military Friendly Spouse Employer in 2023 and 2024 and has been named a Military Friendly Employer by Viqtory Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs and [[Military Spouse]] magazine, for 14 consecutive years, receiving the publisher's Gold Award for 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Exchange Named No. 1 Military Friendly® Spouse Employer for Second Consecutive Year |url=https://publicaffairs-sme.com/FamilyServingFamily/2024/01/11/exchange-named-no-1-military-friendly-spouse-employer-for-second-consecutive-year/ |access-date=25 June 2019 |website=Exchange Newsroom |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Exchange Named No. 2 Military Friendly Employer |url=https://publicaffairs-sme.com/FamilyServingFamily/2023/11/14/exchange-named-no-2-military-friendly-employer/ |access-date= |website=Exchange Newsroom |language=en-US}}</ref> The Exchange has made U.S. Veterans Magazine's "Best of the Best" list eight years running, as well.

Since 2013, the Exchange has hired more than 60,000 veterans and military spouses.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Army Soldier For Life |url=https://soldierforlife.army.mil/ |access-date=26 August 2022 |website=soldierforlife.army.mil |language=en}}</ref> The organization has also hired more than 2,150 wounded warriors since 2010. In all, about 80% of the Exchange's associates are related to a service member.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Exchange {{!}} About Exchange {{!}} Exchange by the Numbers |url=https://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/exchange-by-the-numbers/ |access-date=26 August 2022 |website=www.aafes.com}}</ref>

The Exchange offers Veterans and military spouses competitive pay and benefits, including the associate transfer program, which helps military spouses continue their Exchange career as they move from duty station to duty station.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 August 2021 |title=Army & Air Force Exchange Service aims for 75,000 Veteran and military spouse hires by 2026 |url=https://www.somdnews.com/news/military/army-air-force-exchange-service-aims-for-75-000-veteran-and-military-spouse-hires-by/article_bfe51bfb-e390-5fd0-bed2-a454e1bed829.html |website=Southern Maryland News}}</ref>

More than 4,900 Exchange associates have deployed to combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan to support troops in combat operations since [[9/11]].<ref name="ByTheNumbers">{{cite web |title=The Exchange By The Numbers |url=https://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/exchange-by-the-numbers/ |access-date=1 July 2022 |website=ShopMyExchange.com |publisher=Army & Air Force Exchange Service}}</ref> The Exchange currently operates more than 300 facilities in contingency zones in countries such as Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Romania, Cyprus, Bosnia and Kosovo.<ref name=":0" />

==Civilian leadership==
[[File:Exchange_Director-CEO_Tom_Shull_2020.jpeg|alt=|thumb|Tom Shull, Director & CEO of AAFES since 2012]]
In 2012, [[Tom Shull]] became the Exchange's first civilian director/CEO, having previously served as an executive with [[Wise Foods]], [[Hanover Direct]], [[Barneys New York]] and Meridian Ventures. A [[United States Military Academy|West Point]] graduate, Shull served as an [[Infantry Branch (United States)|infantry]] [[company commander]] and held assignments at the [[White House]] and [[United States National Security Council|National Security Council]].<ref>{{cite web|date=27 March 2013|title=Civilian CEO moves to modernize military's retail business|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2013-mar-27-la-fi-military-retail-ceo-20130328-story.html|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=10 October 2020}}</ref> Historically, the Exchange had been run by a two-star general with experience in supply and logistics. <ref>{{cite web|date=20 March 2018|title=Greenwich resident leads military retailer to top industry rankings|url=https://www.greenwichtime.com/business/article/Greenwich-resident-leads-military-retailer-to-top-12767809.php|website=[[Greenwich Time (newspaper)|Greenwich Time]]|access-date=24 May 2023}}</ref>

In his tenure, Shull has emphasized merchandising national brands, expanding Express convenience stores, strengthening the Exchange's online presence and reducing costs to increase earnings and the dividend paid to military quality-of-life programs from those earnings.<ref name="The Army & Air Force Exchange 2022 Mission Report" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Debter |first=Lauren |date=7 July 2023 |title=Why It Took a Civilian to Save the Military's $8.5 Billion Retail Operation |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurendebter/2023/07/07/why-it-took-a-civilian-to-save-the-militarys-85-billion-retail-operation/?sh=6c2948303e2e |website=Forbes.com}}</ref>

Shull also shaped the Exchange's efforts to bring more first-run movies to military movie theaters, building partnerships with major movie studios.<ref name="DenverPost">{{Cite news|url=http://www.denverpost.com/2017/09/26/tom-shull-army-and-air-force-exchange-service-veterans-day-tax-free-shopping/|title=Colorado-born Tom Shull has a gift for U.S. veterans: Tax-free online shopping|last=Rubino|first=Joe|date=26 September 2017|work=Denver Post|access-date=27 September 2017}}</ref>

==Veteran support==
===Veterans online shopping benefit===

On 8 May 2014, Shull drafted a memorandum to the [[Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness]] proposing that military exchanges be allowed to extend online shopping privileges to honorably discharged [[veterans]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.stripes.com/news/us/aafes-chief-let-22-million-vets-shop-exchanges-online-1.287142|title=AAFES chief: Let 22 million vets shop exchanges online|publisher=Stars & Stripes|date=5 June 2014|access-date=22 August 2017}}</ref>

Shull presented the business case for the veterans online shopping benefit to the [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]]’s Executive Resale Board in August 2014. The Executive Resale Board voted unanimously to recommend the proposal in August 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.militarytimes.com/pay-benefits/military-benefits/2016/08/16/the-pentagon-is-closer-to-extending-a-generous-new-benefit-to-millions-of-veterans/|title=The Pentagon is closer to extending a generous new benefit to millions of veterans|publisher=MilitaryTimes.com|date=16 August 2016|access-date=22 August 2017}}</ref>

On 13 January 2017, the Department of Defense announced that all honorably discharged veterans would be eligible to shop tax-free online military exchanges starting 11 November 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1049558/dod-ope%20ns-online-exchange-shopping-%20to-veterans/|title=DoD to Open Online Exchange Shopping to Veterans|publisher=defense.gov|date=13 January 2017|access-date=22 August 2017}}</ref> The expanded benefit made online exchange privileges available to an estimated 18 million veterans.<ref name="DenverPost"/>

===Expanded in-store shopping privileges===

On 1 January 2020, the Exchange began to grant disabled veterans, [[Purple Heart]] recipients and certain caregivers — 4.1 million Americans — in-store shopping privileges.

Privileges expanded to all veterans with service-connected disabilities, veterans who are Purple Heart recipients, veterans who are former prisoners of war and primary family caregivers for veterans who are enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers.<ref name="DoD"/>

This new privilege was specified in the Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018, included in the [[John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019]]. The Department of Defense announced the expansion 13 November 2019.<ref name="DoD"/>

The new patron group also has access to commissaries and morale, welfare and recreation retail facilities located on U.S. military installations.<ref name="DoD">{{cite web |title=Department of Defense Expanding Access to Commissaries, Military Exchanges and Recreation Facilities |url=https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2015599/department-of-defense-expanding-access-to-commissaries-military-exchanges-and-r/ |website=va.gov |publisher=US Department of Defense |access-date=13 December 2019 |date=13 November 2019}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

Beginning 1 May 2021, Department of Defense and Coast Guard civilians in the continental U.S. became eligible to shop at military exchanges, and online benefits were added in October 2021. Opening exchange access to DoD and Coast Guard civilian employees working on installations improves dividends to Quality-of-Life programs, leverages the military exchanges’ buying power and strengthens the Exchange benefit for Soldiers, Airmen and Guardians.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Department of Defense Expands Access to Military Exchanges |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/2590000/department-of-defense-expands-access-to-military-exchanges/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.defense.gov%2FNews%2FReleases%2FRelease%2FArticle%2F2590000%2Fdepartment-of-defense-expands-access-to-military-exchanges%2F |access-date=26 August 2022 |website=U.S. Department of Defense |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Disaster support==
Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Exchange deployed 53-foot convenience stores on wheels, dubbed mobile field Exchanges (MFEs) to serve first responders at the Pentagon, World Trade Center and around New York City.  

The Exchange has a history of supporting the military responding to natural disasters. During the 2017 hurricane season, the Exchange sent support to areas affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. Support included an MFE, requested by the [[Texas State Guard]] to allow National Guard members to stock up on water, batteries, beef jerky, shampoo, sports drinks and more.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |title=Exchange Ready to send support to Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria |language=en |work=Alamogordo Daily News |url=https://www.alamogordonews.com/story/news/local/holloman/2017/09/26/exchange-ready-send-support-puerto-rico-following-hurricane-maria/705360001/ |access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref> A second MFE opened days later in [[Corpus Christi, Texas|Corpus Christi]], Texas.<ref name="alamogordonews.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.alamogordonews.com/story/news/local/holloman/2017/09/26/exchange-ready-send-support-puerto-rico-following-hurricane-maria/705360001/|title=Exchange Ready to send support to Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria|website=Alamogordo Daily News|language=en|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref>

The Exchange sent shipments of bottled water and emergency supplies such as generators, batteries, flashlights, tarps, gas cans and first-aid kits to Florida, Georgia and Puerto Rico ahead of [[Hurricane Irma]] and [[Hurricane Maria]].<ref name=":1" /> <ref name="alamogordonews.com" />

The Exchange also supported service members in the wake of [[Hurricane Florence]] and [[Hurricane Michael]] in 2018, shipping thousands of packages of batteries, thousands of cases of water, generators, gas cans and flashlights were delivered to military installations in the path of the storms.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/293502/exchange-operations-returning-normal-after-hurricane-florence|title=Exchange Operations Returning to Normal after Hurricane Florence|website=DVIDS|language=en|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref> Hurricane Dorian and Typhoon Ling ling in 2019, earthquakes in Puerto Rico and Hurricane Laura in 2020 and Tropical Storm Ida in 2021 are among other instances where the Exchange provided support to those affected.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Army & Air Force Exchange Service 2021 Mission Report |url=https://www.aafes.com/Images/AboutExchange/PublicAffairs/2021-Mission-Report.pdf |website=aafes.com}}</ref>

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Exchange served thousands of troops who were in required quarantine after travel. The Exchange implemented a personal shopper program with contactless delivery at several military bases that allowed quarantined service members to order basic hygiene items, snacks and more. MFEs were also deployed to field hospitals established by the U.S. military to provide pandemic support, including the Javits Center in New York City, New York.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 July 2020 |title=The pandemic challenge for Dallas-based AAFES: Keep the U.S. military safe while shopping |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/business/retail/2020/07/22/the-pandemic-challenge-for-dallas-based-aafes-keep-the-us-military-safe-while-shopping/ |access-date=24 May 2023 |work=Dallas Morning News |language=en}}</ref>

The Exchange has 13 MFEs and two mobile barber shops that can be deployed as needed to disaster-affected areas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/296450/exchange-deploys-mobile-field-exchange-assist-with-recovery-efforts-florida|title=Exchange Deploys Mobile Field Exchange to Assist with Recovery Efforts in Florida|website=DVIDS|language=en|access-date=23 January 2019}}</ref>

==Military Star card==

The Exchange also operates and funds the Exchange Credit Program (ECP), a program established by Congress in 1979 to protect service members from [[predatory lending]]. An October 2023 report by [[Bankrate]] showed the Star Card having the second-lowest interest rate among retail-branded credit cards, behind Amazon's Secured Card, which requires a deposit. The Military Star card's APR is a flat rate for all cardholders.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Retail credit card interest rates skyrocket to 28.9% this holiday season, shoppers beware |url=https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/news/retail-store-credit-card-survey/#subprime |website=Bankrate.com}}</ref> 

In July 2024, ECP announced a collaboration with [[Discover Card|Discover]] Global Network to improve the Military Star card's security features and expand where on military bases the card could be accepted.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Army & Air Force Exchange Service to Collaborate with Discover® Global Network to Expand MILITARY STAR Card Acceptance |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240709081874/en/Army-Air-Force-Exchange-Service-to-Collaborate-with-Discover%C2%AE-Global-Network-to-Expand-MILITARY-STAR-Card-Acceptance |website=Business Wire}}</ref> 

==See also==
*[[Base exchange]]
*[[Canex]], Canadian equivalent
*[[Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes|NAAFI]], United Kingdom equivalent
*[[Navy Exchange]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Army and Air Force Exchange Service}}
* [http://www.shopmyexchange.com/ Official site]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110531071511/http://www.shopmyexchange.com/pa/default.asp The Exchange Mission, News & More]

{{DOD agencies}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Army and Air Force Exchange Service}}
[[Category:United States Army organization|Exchange Service]]
[[Category:United States Air Force|Exchange Service]]
[[Category:United States Department of Defense agencies]]
[[Category:Retail companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Companies based in Dallas]]
[[Category:1895 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1895]]