AAFES
Corner
by
Anstey
Judd, AAFES
Goin’
Once, Goin’ Twice, Exchange Shoppers are Sold on Exclusive
Auction Site
DALLAS
– Since the first auction opened at the Exchange Online
Mall’s Exchange
Auctions site late in Nov. 2008, more than 4,000
successful bids have been submitted. Winning bids since that
time have included a $149 18k over sterling silver blue
topaz earring set that sold for $9.50, a framed Mohammed Ali
autographed photo, valued at $2,800, that went for $225 and
an Eberle Gents watch which retails for $995 that sold for
$21.
“Exchange
Auctions’ $1 start bid, no reserve auctions are
driving strong repeat visitors,” said the Army & Air
Force Exchange Service’s Chief Marketing Officer Mat
Dromey. “In fact, 61 percent of people logging on are
actually coming back to browse and take a chance at casting
a winning bid.”
Exchange
leadership believes a program that converts five percent of
total net winning auction purchases in a calendar month to
credits, called “Bid Bucks,” is helping drive return
traffic.
“’Bid
Bucks’ can be applied toward the payment of winning bids
in the following month,” said Dromey. “This rewards
system is creating additional excitement and savings
opportunities.”
Exchange
Auctions
is currently hosting as many as 288 concurrent auctions
featuring collectibles, electronics, home outdoor products,
jewelry, sports equipment, toys and watches, all with a
starting bid of only $1.
The
site’s exclusive platform is only available to military
members though the exchange services’ websites at aafes.com,
usmc-mccs.org,
navy-nex.com
or cg-exchange.com.
New
Exchange Catalog Brings Affordable Luxury Home
DALLAS
– Remarkable selection, dramatic style and comfortable
prices abound in the Exchange Catalog’s newest supplement.
The Home
Décor Spring 2009 Catalog, which hit mailboxes and
exchanges during the last week of January, features fabulous
finds for every room including furniture, coordinating rugs,
lighting, wall décor and accessories.
“This
catalog delivers the exchange benefit to every corner of the
globe,” said Chief Marketing Officer Mat Dromey. “From
the Soldier in Korea to the Airman in Germany to the
National Guardsman in Kansas, the latest and greatest in
home décor and furnishings is just a phone call away.”
The
68-page catalog boasts a wide array of furniture options
including living, dining, bedroom and entertainment pieces
in addition to Broyhill Furniture, which is available for
the first time in an Exchange catalog. Authorized exchange
shoppers can also browse large and small appliances, fans,
air purifiers, baby beds, nursery accessories and much more.
The
2009 Home Décor Spring Exchange Catalog is available at all
main stores and online at aafes.com,
usmc-mccs.org,
navy-nex.com
or cg-exchange.com.
Prices
in this all-services catalog are valid from Jan. 28, 2009
through Apr. 28, 2009, for any authorized exchange customer.
Active duty military members of the Army, Air Force, Navy,
Marines and Coast Guard, as well as military retirees,
reservists, National Guardsmen, Department of Defense
civilians stationed overseas, exchange employees and their
Family members are all authorized exchange privileges.
Orders
can be placed by mail, fax or phone. Toll-free orders can be
placed from the United States, Puerto Rico or Guam at
800-527-2345. The Exchange Catalog center is open around the
clock, seven days a week. Complimentary international access
calling is also available from several countries. Those
numbers are:
Germany
0800-82-16500
Japan/Okinawa
00531-11-4132
Korea
00308-13-0664
Italy
8008-71227
Belgium
0800-7-2432
The Netherlands
0800-022-1889
United Kingdom
0800-96-8101
Spain
900-971-391
Turkey*
00800-18-488-6312
* Calls cannot be placed from phones on base. Use off-base
commercial lines.
Authorized
customers can also shop the 2009 Home Décor Spring Exchange
Catalog online at aafes.com,
usmc-mccs.org,
navy-nex.com
or cg-exchange.com.
‘Exchange
Select’ Quality and Price Take Exchange Benefit Further
DALLAS
– As energy prices rise and consumer confidence slides,
budget-conscious military shoppers are maximizing their
exchange benefit as they reach for “private label”
products manufactured under the Exchange Services’
“Exchange Select” brand.
“Our
‘Exchange Select’ products save exchange shoppers
anywhere from 20 to approximately 50 percent when compared
to name brand counterparts,” said the Army & Air Force
Exchange Service’s Senior Vice President of Sales Maggie
Burgess. “And savvy shoppers know that this added savings
doesn’t come at the price of reliability; as the
Exchanges’ ‘exclusive label’ merchandise offers
quality that is equal to or better than equivalent national
brands.”
Some
examples of “Exchange Select” savings available today
include:
Name
Brand Mint Mouthwash 1 liter
$3.99
“Exchange Select” Mint Mouthwash 1 liter
$1.79 (55% Savings)
Name
Brand Ibuprofen 50 ct
$4.85
“Exchange Select” Ibuprofen 50 ct
$1.99 (59% Savings)
Name
Brand Hi-Potency Multi-Vitamin 100 + 30 tabs
$9.55
“Exchange Select” Century Multi Tab 100 + 30 tabs
$4.69 (50% Savings)
Performance
and safety of “Exchange Select” products are assured
thanks to a Quality Assurance team that actively visits
suppliers’ plants to verify ‘Good Manufacturing
Practices,’ as set by the Food and Drug Administration and
other governing agencies, are used. In fact, all “Exchange
Select” over-the-counter medicines, such as ibuprofen and
acetaminophen, meet FDA established guidelines, which are
the same for “private label” and national brand
equivalent products.
A
steady demand for affordably priced, quality products by the
military community continues to drive expansion of the
“Exchange Select” brand, available exclusively at Navy,
Marine and Coast Guard Exchanges, Veterans Canteen Service
locations and AAFES BXs and PXs. Last year, the exchanges
introduced 37 new items including vitamins, cough drops and
sunscreen. The entire portfolio now includes 557 unique
items, all priced to deliver substantial savings.
Name
brand quality combined with “private label” pricing
continues to attract military shoppers as “Exchange
Select” sales increased by nearly a million dollars in
2007. As a result, the Exchange Services continue to broaden
their “private label” assortment through line extensions
in existing categories, such as health and beauty care
items, household cleaning and laundry products and even a
single-use cameras, as well as expansion into new programs.
“Exchange
Select” stock assortment additions currently in
development include allergy medicine, nicotine gum,
non-optical brightener detergent and orange furniture
polish.
$80
Million in Business Opportunities Garners Diversity
Recognition for AAFES
DALLAS
– For the second year in a row the Army & Air Force
Exchange Service (AAFES) has been recognized by
DiversityBusiness.com as one of America’s Top Government
Organizations for multicultural business opportunities.
The
annual list is produced by DiversityBusiness.com, the
nations’ leading multicultural B-to-B Internet Web site.
More than 600,000 diversity businesses owners had the
opportunity to participate in an online election to
determine the “Top” agencies. The honor recognizes 20
government agencies and 50 corporations, and is collectively
called the Div50. The business owners based their decisions
on such factors as the volume, consistency and quality of
business opportunities granted. AAFES garnered recognition
due to the fact that it did more than $80 million worth of
business with women-, minority- and Veteran-owned companies
in 2007.
“AAFES
works diligently to ensure a diverse product mix is
represented in our stores,” said AAFES’ Commander Brig.
Gen. Keith L. Thurgood. “Having the right product, at the
right price and at the right time is what our customers
expect, and what they deserve. Tapping into all sources just
makes good business sense.”
AAFES, along with the other winning companies, will be
honored at a special awards ceremony at
DiversityBusiness.com’s 8th Annual Multicultural Business
Conference in Las Vegas in April.
AAFES
‘Green’ Initiatives Expected to Pay Off for Military
Community
DALLAS
– The Department of Defense’s oldest and largest
retailer, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service,
is embarking on a variety of energy-saving initiatives to
reduce its impact on the environment and strengthen the
exchange benefit military families have come to depend on.
From
vending machines to gas station canopies, AAFES is
implementing “green” initiatives at exchange facilities
on Army and Air Force installations across the globe.
“AAFES
is a global retailer with more than 3,100 facilities in some
30 countries,” said AAFES’ Energy Program Manager Ann
Scott. “Considering the size and scope of our mission, it
makes sense to evaluate every possible ‘green’ option
available. Fortunately, new opportunities to save energy and
increase earnings are growing every day.”
More
options are turning into reduced energy consumption in
AAFES’ vending operations as 40 additional ENERGY STAR®
beverage vending machine models became available in 2007.
With older vending machines consuming some 192 kwh per month
compared to 172.5 kwh for ENERGY STAR® versions, AAFES is
focused on ensuring at least 10 percent or more of their
21,000 beverage machines are ENERGY STAR® compliant before
the end of 2008. Successful expansion of ENERGY STAR®
beverage vending machines from 1,664 currently in place at
AAFES to 2,264 is projected to generate annual savings of
more than $42,000 once the 10 percent target is met.
“Drinks
stay cold, less energy is used and AAFES is able to return
the savings to the annual dividend this command annually
provides to the military community,” said AAFES’
Commander Brig. Gen. Keith Thurgood. “It’s smart
business decisions like this that will make it possible for
AAFES to deliver even more in the coming decade than the
$2.4 billion it provided the Armed Forces in the past 10
years.”
From
cool beverages to hot food, AAFES is also partnering with a
number of name-brand franchises to reduce energy consumption
in its fast food offerings. Taco Bell, Burger King and
Subway are just a few of AAFES’ name-brand partners that
are leading the way in inventive “pollution solutions”
such as adjustable HVAC systems that run based on need
versus a constant rate, eco-friendly building designs, LED
menu boards and concept signing, as well as energy efficient
refrigeration and heating methods.
Historically,
fast food facilities, main exchanges and shoppettes have
accounted for the majority of energy consumption at AAFES.
Shoppettes, essentially the military version of convenience
stores, often have gas pumps that require constant lighting
for drivers to be able to fill up 24/7. The canopies that
cover these pumps can easily consume 6,000 watts of
electricity with standard lighting. Testing of a new
generation of energy efficient fixtures has yielded savings
of up 44 percent.
Recognized
as an ENERGY STAR® retailer, AAFES began an aggressive
training program in August 2007 to help its main store
associates better assist energy-conscious shoppers. An
on-going ENERGY STAR® awareness campaign is now branching
out beyond appliances and electronics as the AAFES stock
assortment now features a 20 percent mix of Compact
Fluorescent Lighting options that use less energy and have a
longer-rated life than conventional light bulbs.
CFL
purchases at AAFES activities have grown steadily in the
past two years, increasing from 8.2 percent of retail
lighting sales in 2006 to 10 percent in 2007. Launched in
February 2008, AAFES’ CFL light bulb awareness
campaign is focused on the prominent display of CFL products
and options.
“The
CFL initiative is consistent with the military’s goal to
cut energy costs and protect the environment,” said
AAFES’ Senior Vice President of Sales Maggie Burgess.
“Compact florescent bulbs will go a long way in
meeting these objectives as they use 75 percent less energy
than standard lighting and last up to 10 times
longer.”
In
addition to the merchandise inside the store, AAFES
designers and architects from its Real Estate division and
industry partners are pursing initiatives in energy and
environmental design with the US Green Building Council LEED
NC Retail pilot program that focuses on energy and water
reduction efforts to decrease operating costs and earth
friendly materials to positively impact the environment and
community.
“We’re
incorporating sustainability initiatives for long term
improvements to the environment, energy
consumption reduction and to protect earnings for the Army
and Air Force MWR programs from energy cost increases,”
said AAFES’ Senior Vice President of Real Estate Dan
Metsala. “The Shopping Center new construction projects
being developed for Ft. Polk, Randolph AFB, Ft. Belvoir and
Ft. Bliss will set a new standard for us in energy
efficiency as we go forward”.
All
four projects are seeking LEED Silver certification.
Construction of the first two AAFES LEED retail pilot
facilities are scheduled to begin at Ft. Polk and Randolph
AFB later this year with grand openings anticipated around
December 2009.
“Cleaning
up the environment begins at home. For AAFES facilities
residing on Army and Air Force installations across the
globe, ‘home’ is the military community,” said
Thurgood. “As such, I’m excited about the steps AAFES is
taking to make the ‘homes’ we share with military
Families better places to live, work and, of course, shop
thanks to reduced energy consumption, increased dividends
and a better quality of life.”
Lose
pounds (and save money) while supporting American troops
DALLAS
– A recent hike in postal rates has Americans wishing to
support deployed troops feeling light in the wallet. A seven
pound parcel sent first class mail from the U.S. to Iraq now
costs $37 just for shipping and handling, not including the
amount already spent for the contents inside the package.
The
Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s (AAFES’)
“Gifts from the Homefront” program reduces mail expenses
and ensures that virtually all funds earmarked for the
troops go to the troops.
Created
in March, 2003 after the Department of Defense gave its
“stamp of approval,” AAFES’ troop support initiative
makes it easy and affordable to support those downrange. For
a flat shipping and handling charge of just $4.95, Americans
can send as much as they want through a lightweight gift
certificate that can be redeemed for anything in the BX/PX.
“This
effort minimizes shipping costs while enabling Soldiers,
Airmen, Sailors or Marines to get exactly what they need,”
said AAFES spokesperson Lt. Col. Dean Thurmond. “Instead
of spending a great deal of money sending a hefty package,
gift certificates that can be redeemed for merchandise
already in the war zone maximizes support for our troops and
reduces expenses for their advocates.”
AAFES
currently operates 53 facilities in support of Operations
Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. While inventories can vary from
location to location, most facilities carry a full
assortment of health and beauty items, toiletries, snacks
and drinks.
“Gifts
From the Homefront” can be sent to deployed troops by
logging on to www.aafes.org
or calling 877-770-4438. From there, the gift certificates
are sent to individual service members (designated by the
purchaser) or distributed to “any service member”
through the Air Force Aid Society, American Red Cross,
Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, Fisher House,
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Operation Homefront,
Operation Interdependence® or USO. “Gifts From the
Homefront” gift certificates can be redeemed at exchange
facilities worldwide. Recent reports indicate troops
shopping their contingency exchanges are reaching for beauty
items, soft drinks, snacks, Military Exchange Global prepaid
calling cards, magazines, movies and more.
As
of July 31, approximately 91,000 “Gifts from the
Homefront” gift certificates have been sent since the
Department of Defense approved the exchange support campaign
in March 2003. More than 23,000 of these have been delivered
to service members and their families via AAFES’ 10
charitable partners.
AAFES
and SmartPay® make good cents
DALLAS
– The competitive prices and convenience Army & Air
Force Exchange Service (AAFES) operations offer military
shoppers don’t end at work. In fact, all authorized GSA
SmartPay® Card holders can quickly and easily get the items
their unit or office needs without leaving the installation
or, if making a purchase through the Exchange Online Store,
without even leaving their desks.
Whether
shopping in-store, online at www.aafes.com
or through an Exchange Catalog, GSA cardholders who procure
items through BX/PX operations save time as there is no need
to carry, show and explain a state tax exemption letter
because almost everything the exchange carries is already
free of taxation. Purchases made through AAFES activities
also save Department of Defense money as exchange operations
proactively survey and review product assortments to ensure
prices are routinely lower than the competition. Beyond
convenience and cost effectiveness, GSA card transactions
made through AAFES also generate dividends used to support
Army, Air Force, Marine and Navy Morale, Welfare and
Recreation programs.
“AAFES
is a military command with a dual mission to provide quality
goods and services at competitively low prices and generate
earnings to support MWR programs,” said AAFES’ Chief of
Communications Lt. Col. Dean Thurmond. “This structure
ensures that all unit and office related GSA purchases made
through BX/PX operations not only are a judicious use of
funds, but also a generous contribution that helps support
critical military quality of life efforts.”
Department
of Defense civilians who are not normally entitled to
exchange privileges, but authorized to make organizational
purchases, need only show their SmartPay® Card and a
government ID card to make official purchases. Last year GSA
SmartPay® purchases helped generate more than $200 dollars
for much-needed Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs.
These funds are used in support of Youth Services, Armed
Forces Recreation Centers, post functions and other quality
of life initiatives enjoyed by military families on
installations across the globe.
Military
StarSM Card Strengthens Troops’ Return on Investment
DALLAS
–The use of bank-issued cards by troops at their exchanges
costs the military community millions of dollars annually
that could be directed to Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR)
efforts.
Last
year alone, bank issued card processing expenses at Army
& Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) facilities jumped
approximately 12 percent, ultimately sapping more than $65
million from the Exchange and, in turn, critical MWR
programs in 2007. Since 2001, AAFES has paid more than $310
million in fees to card issuing banks, resulting in lost
revenues for the military community.
“Traditionally,
two-thirds of AAFES’ earnings are paid to MWR, while the
other third is returned to the military community in the
form of improvements, such as technology investments or
capital expenditures to enhance the shopping experience,”
said AAFES’ Chief Financial Officer Harold Lavender.
“With 100 percent of AAFES earnings going back to
authorized customers in one way or another, something as
seemingly insignificant as credit card processing fees can
quickly add up to a quality of life issue.”
One
way military families can help reduce costs and strengthen
their Exchange benefit is to take advantage of the
Exchanges’ exclusive Military StarSM Card. Unlike bank
cards, profits generated from the Military StarSM Card are
shared with military communities through contributions to
the military service's MWR funds. These funds reduce the tax
burden of all U.S. citizens, and are used to fund Youth
Services, Armed Forces Recreation Centers, aquatic centers
post functions and golf courses that are enjoyed by military
families across the globe.
“Using
the Military StarSM Card is one of the easiest ways for
troops to directly impact their Exchange and MWR
benefits,” said Lavender. “Reducing these unnecessary
expenses can go a long way in maximizing the dividend AAFES
annually returns to the military community.”
The
Military StarSM Card is accepted at AAFES, Navy, Marine
Corps and Coast Guard Exchange activities, as well as the
Exchange Catalog and the Exchange Online store at www.aafes.com.
For
more information on the Military StarSM Card, visit www.aafes.com
and click on the Military StarSM Card icon.
Exchanges
Introduce First-Ever Name Brand Supplement
DALLAS
– Authorized exchange shoppers looking for high quality,
name brand items at great prices need look no further than
the 2007 Name Brand Supplement. Scheduled for release on
Jan. 9, 2007, this first-ever 30-page catalog is filled with
top-brand electronics, sporting goods, giftware, toys and
much more. Another first for the new catalog will be the
inclusion of a promotional code good for a one-time 10
percent savings off an entire order.
“We’re
breaking new ground in convenience and affordability with
this catalog,” said AAFES Chief Marketing Officer Richard
Sheff. “We’ve shopped for the best brands, keeping style
and savings in mind and are even providing an opportunity to
take an additional 10 percent off the already low prices
military families have come to expect from their Exchange
catalog.”
From
the most advanced in home audio and video equipment to
top-quality living room furniture and the newest appliances,
the 2007 Name Brand supplement has something for every
member of the military family, including some of the most
popular fragrances (for both him and her), classic watches
and fashionable clogs and sandals.
Prices
in this all-services supplement are valid through April 3,
2007, for any authorized exchange customer. Active duty
military members of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and
Coast Guard, as well as military retirees, reservists,
National Guardsmen, Department of Defense civilians
stationed overseas, exchange employees and their family
members are all authorized exchange privileges.
Orders
can be placed by mail, fax or phone. Toll free orders
can be placed from the United States, Puerto Rico or Guam at
800-527-2345. The Exchange Catalog center is open
around-the-clock, seven days a week. Complimentary
international access calling is also available from several
countries. Those numbers are:
Germany
0800-82-16500
Japan/Okinawa
00531-11-4132
Korea
00308-13-0664
Italy
8008-71227
Belgium
0800-7-2432
Netherlands
0800-022-1889
United Kingdom
0800-96-8101
Spain
900-971-391
Turkey*
00800-18-488-6312
* Calls cannot be placed from phones on base. Use off-base
commercial lines.
Patriotic
Quilt Warms Deployed Troops’ Hearts
DALLAS
– As part of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s
ongoing Patriot Connection campaign, a new chapter, nearly a
year in the making, is beginning for quilt squares that
carry messages of support and reminders of home to troops
serving throughout Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom
(photos available on request).
Early
in 2006, associates from AAFES Post and Base Exchanges
(PXs/BXs) began enlisting the support of their local
military communities to create quilt squares highlighting
the images and traditions unique to their installation.
Squares full of unit patches, messages of encouragement and
salutes to the military’s storied past soon began pouring
into AAFES headquarters in Dallas, Texas. After taking
receipt of more than 100 squares, a team of civilian and
military personnel got to work assembling the individual
squares into combined displays that have spent the past 10
months on the road at Army, Air Force and Marine
installations throughout the United States, Pacific and
Europe.
“The
response was overwhelming,” said AAFES’ Chief Marketing
Officer, Richard Sheff. “In the end, a total of 128 quilt
squares were combined to create two giant, 24 ft. x 18 ft.
panels that bring the military’s rich history to life. The
final products are colorful and exciting displays that
highlight the fact that we all are but a tiny piece of a
large ‘quilt’ which connects us together, if only by a
thread.”
After
swinging through Europe and the Pacific, the quilt displays
spent the holiday season at PXs/BXs at Bagram AB in
Afghanistan and Camp Liberty in Iraq. Both panels will stay
in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom through the end of
this month and will then start their tour back to where the
process all began, AAFES HQs in Dallas, Texas. The quilt
squares are scheduled to make various stops en route to
Dallas for last-chance displays at various installations.
Once back in Texas, a permanent home will be determined.
“We’ve
explored sectioning the squares out to various military
hospitals, displaying a portion in AAFES’ Heritage Hall or
even working with the Smithsonian to ensure future
generations can bear witness to the pride our military
exudes today,” said Sheff.
AAFES’
Ptriot Connection campaign is not limited to quilt squares.
In fact, the Patriot Family connection provides family
members, friends of deployed service members and AAFES
associates a chance to record their greetings, words of
support and thanks free of charge. Messages, that can be
recorded 24 hours a day, are forwarded to American Forces
Radio and broadcast to U.S. service men and women, DoD
civilians, and their families serving outside the
continental United States. Anyone can record a message by
calling 1-800-713-1302. Another initiative, dubbed “We All
Have a Hand in Securing Our Freedom,” is a partnership
with military communities to create commemorative banners
composed of handprints that depict the same theme. These
banners are also sent to exchanges worldwide and displayed
in AAFES facilities to include locations in Operations
Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.
Additional
information concerning all of AAFES’ Patriot Connection
efforts is available online at http://www.aafes.com/Patriot_Family/home.asp.
Troops
in War Zone March to Beat of a Different Drummer
DALLAS
– Since the days of the Revolutionary War when militias
marched to fifes and drums, music has played a historical
and integral role on the battlefield. The Civil War, which
used brass bands to entertain Soldiers, gave way to the tape
recorders of the ‘60s blasting the rock and folk sounds of
the Rolling Stones and Joan Baez. Today’s deployed troops,
who take their music with them, have made rhythm and blues,
rap and country the soundtrack of their time in Operations
Enduring and Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF).
Troops
in Iraq and Afghanistan, who purchased approximately 1.7
million CDs at 54 Army & Air Force Exchange Service
(AAFES) post and base exchanges scattered throughout the
Middle East, display far different musical tastes than those
at home. For example, compared to Nielsen Media Research’s
2006 top sellers, only one title, Mary J. Blige’s “The
Breakthrough,” made deployed Soldier, Airmen, Sailor and
Marine’s top 10.
While
two of the top-selling titles were country, including Tim
McGraw’s “Greatest Hits” topping the charts at number
one, rap, along with rhythm and blues, accounted for the two
most popular formats. Six of the AAFES OEF/OIF top 10
featured rap and R&B artists, including Ne-Yo at number
two and T.I. at number four.
"Part
of AAFES’ mission has always been to ensure that our
troops have access to the latest entertainment, regardless
of where they are called to serve,” said AAFES Contingency
Planning Chief Lt. Col. Steven Dean. “With new releases
flown in every week to PXs and BXs half way around the
world, today’s deployed warriors have access to new music
at virtually the same time as their friends back home, yet
judging by sales trends, their tastes are quite unique.”
The
most popular CDs, based on service members’ shopping
habits at AAFES contingency PX/BXs, in 2006 included:
Artist
Album
Units
Tim
McGraw
Greatest
Hits
6,787
Ne-Yo
In My Own
Words
6,673
Various
Artists
Now
21
6,136
T.I.
King
6,095
Jaheim
Ghetto
Classics
6,014
Godsmack
IV
5,835
Mary J. Blige
The
Breakthrough
5,797
Toby
Keith
White Trash with Money 5,749
Ludacris
Release
Therapy
5,680
Isley
Brothers
Baby Makin’
Music
5,630
Any
American can send a selection from the AAFES OEF/OIF top ten
as well as thousands of other music titles to a deployed
Soldier, Airmen, Sailor or Marine by sending an AAFES
“Gift from the Homefront.” Available through www.aafes.org
or toll free at 877-770-4438, these lightweight and flexible
gift certificates can be redeemed for almost any product
stocked at thousands of exchange facilities across the
globe. “Gifts from the Homefront” may be addressed to
individual service members (designated by the purchaser) or
sent to the attention of "any service member"
through the Air Force Aid Society, American Red Cross,
Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, Fisher House,
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Operation Homefront,
Operation Interdependence®, Soldier & Family Assistance
Center, USA Cares or USO.
Families
Hail AAFES’ Program to Help Injured Troops
DALLAS
– When military service members are injured in Operations
Enduring or Iraqi Freedom, that trauma is made all the more
difficult by an arduous transition process from the
battlefield. Troops are often flown immediately to the
Landstuhl
Regional
Medical
Center
in
Germany
with little more than the clothes on their backs and
identification around their necks. From there, wounded
troops recuperate at
U.S.
medical centers and begin reintegration into civilian life.
Walter
Gardiner understands the challenges injured troops evacuated
from a war zone face first hand. His son, Sgt. Ryan
Gardiner, was medically evacuated from
Baghdad
after sustaining injuries in the global war on terrorism.
When
Sgt. Gardiner reached the hospital in
Germany
, he had nothing to his name until an Army and Air Force
Exchange Service personal shopper arrived on the scene.
Armed with underwear, socks and a change of clothes, the
civilian associate brought more than products, he delivered
comfort to a Soldier in need.
“When
someone else cares about my son’s needs as much as his mom
and dad do, it brings a sense of belonging to a special
family,” said Gardiner.
AAFES
associates Shane Warren and Charlotte Stobie are personal
shoppers who visit with troops, make a list, then go to the
Exchange and select the items. They return to the
hospital and hand deliver items to injured troops.
“It
is an honor to help these young men,”
Warren
said. “I was once wounded and brought to Landstuhl so I
know what it means to have a friendly face at a time when
you are alone and frightened. You feel the hurt when they
get to
Landstuhl
Regional
Medical
Center
. Our job is to make them feel better. We are here for the
people who fight to protect us.”
The
patients come from all services. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen
and Marines are assisted by AAFES staff. More than 6,000
injured troops have been helped by the AAFES personal
shopper program in the last 10 months alone.
Section
1319 of Public Law 1559 allows AAFES to allocate $250
towards the purchase of civilian clothing to qualifying
service members who arrive at several military hospitals. To
qualify for the allotment, service members must be medically
evacuated from Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom or
Iraqi Freedom.
Military
Exchange
Global Prepaid Phone Cards Keep Families Connected
DALLAS
– Petty Officer 2nd Class Miller Shield and his family got
lucky this year. His R&R occurred in late November, just
in time for Thanksgiving. “We had a great time,” said
his mother Deborah Carmon-Coleman. Just before he boarded a
plane back to the
Middle East
earlier this month, Carmon-Coleman gave her son two Military
Exchange Prepaid Phone cards for him to call home.
“Thanksgiving
was great, but I knew Christmas would be tough,” said
Carmon-Coleman. “With both my son and my daughter-in-law
deployed, we needed the most cost effective way for us to
stay in touch.”
As
an employee of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service,
Petty Officer 2nd Class Shield’s mother is
“authorized” to shop in the same military exchanges he
shops. The “PX/BX” is where Carmon-Coleman purchased the
phone cards that will provide her son with more than four
hours of phone calls between
Bahrain
and the
United States
.
Until
the Department of Defense authorized exchanges to sell
Military Exchange Global Prepaid Phone cards to
“non-authorized” exchange customers in April 2004,
mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins,
grandparents and neighbors were often forced to purchase
phone cards designed for calls within the “Continental
United States” because family members who do not work for
the military (like Carmon-Coleman) or aren’t married to an
active-duty or retired military member are considered
“non-dependent” family members that do not qualify as
“authorized” exchange customers.
Now
any American can “Help Our Troops Call Home” by sending
Military Exchange Global Prepaid Phone cards to deployed
service members through www.aafes.org
or 800-527-2345.
These
phone cards deliver an instant morale boost with up to four
and a half hours of talk time for calls placed from any
overseas military installation worldwide to include 70 AAFES
call centers in
Iraq
,
Afghanistan
,
Kyrgyzstan
or
Kuwait
.
“I
just worry about parents who are unaware of their ability to
purchase these cards,” said Carmon-Coleman. “Most phone
cards are designed for calls between
Boston
and Philadelphia, not
Baghdad
to
Poughkeepsie
. Fortunately, when it comes to sending military exchange
phone cards we are now all considered ‘authorized.’”
Designed
on a “global platform” for the specific needs of
deployed troops, Military Exchange Global Prepaid Phone
cards’ minutes never expire and no additional charges or
connection fees are ever added to rates as low as .19 cents
a minute to call home from Operations Iraqi and Enduring
Freedom.
Carmon-Coleman
and her son won’t be the only ones on the phone before the
New Year. In fact, troops deployed to Operations Iraqi and
Enduring Freedom logged more than fifteen million minutes in
calls last December. This year AAFES estimates troops in
contingency locations will spend more than 20 million
minutes on the phone in December alone.
Military
Exchange Global Prepaid Phone cards purchased through www.aafes.org
or 800-527-2345 can be sent to individual Soldiers, Airmen,
Sailors or Marines (designated by the purchaser) or
distributed to “any service member” through the American
Red Cross, Air Force Aid Society, Fisher House, USO,
Coalition to Salute
America
’s Heroes, Operation Homefront or Operation
Interdependence®.
Civilians
Voluntarily Deploying to Middle East in Support of Deployed
Troops
DALLAS
– While most Americans plan to spend the next few weeks
eating, shopping and generally having a great time with
friends and family, many Department of Defense civilians
will be leaving their homes and families for 6- to-12 month
voluntary deployments to support Army & Air Force
Exchange Service (AAFES) Post and Base Exchanges (PXs and
BXs) throughout Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.
Friends
for more than 25 years, Graphic Designers Gloria Michael and
Kelly Northcutt have talked about deploying to live and work
with the troops. With Michael getting closer to retirement,
the two friends who live only six houses away from each
other in Red Oak, Tex., decided now was the time to trek
more than 7,000 miles to support troops half a world away.
Considering
it will be her first time to travel outside the United
States, Michael is understandably anxious. “I’m a bit
nervous because I haven’t traveled a whole lot, but it is
important that I take my support to our Soldiers, Airmen,
Sailors and Marines on the front lines before I retire.”
With
an itinerary that calls for the two “battle buddies” to
depart for the Middle East on Dec. 17, both
Michael and Northcutt are coming to terms with the fact that
this upcoming holiday season will be their first away from
spouses, children and grandchildren.
“We
made the most out of Thanksgiving and loaded up on holiday
cheer,” said Northcutt. “Hopefully, we can take some of
that warmth and caring we shared to our troops in Iraq or
Afghanistan.”
While
Northcutt and Michael prepare for their first deployment,
some civilians, like Kadena AB Burger King Manager Marjorie
Granvle, will be redeploying this month. A 13-year AAFES
associate, Granvle’s last deployment to Bosnia in 2000 was
so rewarding that she signed up to spend the first half of
2007 with troops in the desert.
A
wife and mother of two who has served the Armed Forces from
Edwards AFB, Calif. to her current position in Okinawa,
Granvle says her family is supportive of her decision to
redeploy. “They are sad to see me leave, but with the
faith, love and support that we share in our hearts, we will
be together for the holidays. This is my opportunity to
support the troops and my country.”
Currently,
there are more than 450 volunteer AAFES associates like
Granvle, Michael and Northcutt deployed in support of
Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. To date, 1,800 AAFES
civilians have deployed to provide comfort items and
necessities in combat and contingency locations. Service
members depend on the PX/BX facilities these associates
support for day-to-day health and comfort items such as
soap, shampoo, toothpaste, snacks, beverages and
entertainment items.
The
merchandise assortment in the deployed environments
typically includes basic health and hygiene items and
snacks. Over time, that assortment is expanded to other
items needed and requested by troops downrange. Today, AAFES
stocks electronics, magazines, DVDs and even small
appliances at its 58 PX/BX locations scattered throughout
the contingency theater.
AAFES
Lets Customers ‘TAKE IT HOME TODAY!’
DALLAS
– The Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) is
expanding its “TAKE IT HOME TODAY!” initiative, which
puts items of necessity and convenience immediately into the
hands of military families the world over. With “TAKE IT
HOME TODAY!,” service members can now immediately enjoy
furniture, major appliances, carpeting, mattresses and box
springs, as well as select electronics.
The
new plan, which was tested at select AAFES exchanges in the
United States and overseas last year, includes benefits such
as instant credit upon approval, no up front fees or down
payment, a low interest rate and low monthly payments.
“Our
tests made it clear that shoppers were excited about the
opportunity to make a furniture, appliance or other large
purchase and take the product home that very same day,”
said AAFES Exchange Credit Program Business Analyst
Colleen Youngblood. “With low interest rates and instant
approval, military shoppers can now enjoy their purchase
sooner.”
With
a $299 minimum purchase, major appliances, 27 inch and
larger TVs, carpeting, riding lawn mowers, large exercise
equipment and spas may be purchased through the “TAKE IT
HOME TODAY!” program. Accessories, including end tables,
may also apply when they are purchased with a qualifying
item.
“This
program is perfectly targeted to meet the needs of today’s
highly mobile military community, especially those members
just starting military service or their families,” said
AAFES’ Pacific Region Commander Col. Ann Borgmann. “Now
members can immediately get the furnishings and appliances
needed without incurring a large debt.”
“TAKE
IT HOME TODAY!” is now available at all AAFES facilities
that stock qualifying merchandise. Authorized exchange
customers can contact their local exchange’s Store or
General Manager for additional details. Specific store-level
contact information is available online at www.aafes.com
under the BX/PX Store Locator link.
Who’s
Authorized to Shop AAFES?
DALLAS
- From Ft. Bragg to Baghdad, military installations the
world over are home to more than 3,000 Army & Air Force
Exchange Service (AAFES) food, entertainment and retail
options. From contractors to tourists to guests, Army posts
and Air Force bases host a variety of visitors who often
ask, “Who’s authorized to shop these facilities?”
“That’s
probably the most common question I receive,” said
AAFES’ Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Bryan
Eaton. “It stands to reason that visitors want to take
advantage of the tax relief and competitive prices they’ve
heard so much about, but AAFES doesn’t decide who is or
isn’t authorized.”
Exchange
service authorization actually begins with the House Armed
Services Committee and ultimately ends with the installation
commander. The guidelines, as prescribed by Army Regulation
60-20 and Air Force Joint Instruction 34-210, require proper
identification of authorized customers including uniformed
personnel and members of the Reserve Components and family
members, applicable Department of Defense (DoD) civilians,
exchange associates and retirees who possess a basic
exchange purchase privilege authorization card. Some
government civilians also enjoy exchange shopping privileges
when they are assigned or TDY overseas; or “TDY and
residing” in government quarters on posts/bases in the
United States.
The
access of authorized customers’ guests is regulated by
installation commanders who are empowered by service
regulations to determine the guest policy for the main
exchange at their respective base/post.
While
authorizations governing who can buy merchandise and
services can vary from location to location, the doors to
AAFES’ 2,109 food
facilities, including 1,806 name and signature
brand outlets, are open to virtually anyone. In fact, DoD
policy allows all federal government employees and even
installation visitors to dine at AAFES restaurants
as long as their orders are consumed on the
installation.
Anyone
who believes they may qualify for exchange benefits
including access to the main exchange should contact their
local AAFES manager for additional guidance as well as
information regarding possible exceptions at specific PX/BX
locations. Store-level contact information is available
online at www.aafes.com
under the BX/PX “Store Locator” link.
‘Still
Serving’ Delivers Exclusive Savings to Military Retirees
DALLAS – A slew of special
offers and coupons, as well as a couple of sweepstakes
opportunities, are just a few of the exclusive promotions
military retirees will find in the new “Still Serving”
booklet, scheduled to hit mailboxes in September. As part of
its annual three-day salute to “those who served,” the
Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) will begin
mailing more than one million of the packets during the
third week of August.
At 42 percent,
retirees represent the largest portion of the exchanges’
11.7 million authorized customers. As such, the booklet,
chock-full of exclusive offers, is a proactive effort to
retain exchange shoppers whose business continues to
directly impact active duty families’ day-to-day lives.
“Without year
round retiree patronage, AAFES wouldn’t have been able to
return an average FY ’05 per capita dividend of $271 for
every Soldier and Airman, in addition to the dividends paid
to the Navy and Marine Corps,” said Vice President of
Direct Marketing Marie Clift. “Whether or not they choose
to shop the exchange goes beyond dollars and cents; it is a
quality of life issue for the entire military community.
Reminding retirees that we’re here to serve them is
critical in allowing AAFES to fulfill its dual mission of
providing quality goods and services at competitively low
prices and generating earnings to support Morale, Welfare
and Recreation programs.”
With discounts
on gas, coffee, jewelry, electronics, footwear, eyewear,
flowers, hardware, clothing…even soda, competitive low
pricing is exactly what the 2006 booklet delivers. “Still
Serving” savings aren’t limited to local “brick and
mortar” exchanges. In fact, Exchange Online Store and
catalog offers have been incorporated into two of the
booklet’s 12 pages. In addition to money saving
opportunities, veterans will also find details on how to
enter two “Still Serving” Sweepstakes, with prizes that
include a $500 www.aafes.com
shopping spree, a treadmill valued at $589 and a $499 music
system.
“All of our
associates love this time of year,” said Clift. “It’s
an awesome chance to not only recognize retirees for their
past contributions to our country, but also salute them for
their continued tangible support of the military
community.”
While the
“Still Serving” booklet offers year round savings, PXs
and BXs throughout CONUS, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and
Guam, as well as participating European and Pacific
locations, will host “Still Serving” celebrations with
unique specials and events from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1.
Throughout the weekend, AAFES’ main stores will host
drawings, free refreshments and product samples, vendor
demonstrations, door prizes, shopping-cart bingo, makeovers
and fashion shows.
Authorized
exchange customers can learn more about activities
planned for the weekend of Sept. 29 at their specific
exchange by calling their local store manager. Contact
information can be found online at aafes.com
by clicking on the “store locator” link.
The
Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) is a joint
command of the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, and is directed
by a Board of Directors who is responsible to the Secretaries
of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of
Staff. AAFES has the dual mission of providing authorized
patrons with articles of merchandise and services and of
generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental
source of funding for military Morale, Welfare and Recreation
(MWR) programs. To find out more about AAFES' history and
mission, please visit our Web site at <http://www.aafes.com/pa/default.asp>.
NEXCOM
UPDATE
"The Navy
Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) worked with its
vendor partner, AT&T, to bring lower rates to
our service men and women, just in time
for the holiday
season," said Mary
Beth Morse, NEXCOM telecommunication
service operations specialist. "We hope these new
lower
rates will allow more families to talk
to their loved ones who are away from home or
would just like to have better rates for their long distance
calling."
AT&T Prepaid Phone Cards,
available at any Navy Exchange worldwide in 300,
150 and 50 units, have been lowered to $.05 - $.09
per minute. "In keeping with the prepaid phone card
industry standard, the more minutes you buy, the better the
rate becomes," said Morse.
Long distance rates for
overseas calling have also been lowered by as much as 50
percent for some countries. To call the United States, the
costs from various overseas locations using a 300,
150 or 50 AT&T Prepaid Phone Card are as low as:
Bahrain: $0.29 per minute; Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland,
Italy and Vatican City, Japan, Singapore, Spain and
United Kingdom: $0.15; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba: $0.81;
Philippines: $0.44; and United Arab Emeritus: $0.22.
NEXCOM is also
introducing a new 800 minute AT&T Prepaid Phone Card
for $0.05 per minute for calls made within the
United States. "Just like our Liberty
Phone Card, this new card has no
hidden charges, does not expire and can
be recharged at any time," said Morse.
"With its lower
rates in the United States and higher
international rates than the 50,150 and 300
minute cards, the new 800 minute will only be sold in
the United States."
The new cards will be sold in Navy
Exchanges beginning on November 24.
Navy Ship's Servicemen Now Have Touch Access for Ship
Store Resources
Navy Ship's Servicemen (SH)
now have one place they can go to access all ship
store bulletins, manuals and catalogs needed to do
their jobs. The Navy Exchange Service
Command's (NEXCOM) Ship's Store Program has
launched a web-site, www.navy-shipstores.com
or www.navy-nex.com, to
make one-touch supply easier for ashore and afloat SHs.
"We've been
working towards a paperless working environment for the
past several years," said Charles
Vaughan, director of the Ship's Store Program.
"Placing all this information on our website was
just a natural evolution of that process. I wanted
the Ship's Store Program to be in the vanguard in
providing 'world class' service
to our Ship's Servicemen wherever they are afloat or
ashore."
Now available on
the website are all parts
manuals, ship store bulletins and training
manuals for the SH rate. There's also a section
describing NEXCOM's Fleet Assistance
Teams and the services they offer. The site also allows
the user to contact the Ship's Store Program with any
questions or comments on improving the site.
"We are very excited
about this site," said Vaughan. "It's going to
become a very important resource for the SH
community. It's a win-win for everyone.
We cut down on the amount of paper we use
and the amount SHs have to file. On the other side, SHs
can access this site from anywhere at
anytime."
NEXCOM has 185 ship stores and 4 ship
store ashore sites worldwide.
