Exchange Quick Facts

OUR MISSION

The Army and Air Force Exchange Service (the Exchange) has an enduring mission to provide quality merchandise and services to its customers at competitively low prices and to generate earnings which provide a dividend to support morale, welfare and recreation programs.

ORGANIZATION

The Exchange is a joint military activity providing quality merchandise and services to active duty, Guard and Reserve members, military retirees and their families at competitively low prices. The Exchange is now in its 116th year. While most of the Exchange's earnings go to US Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM), G-9, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Programs and to Air Force Services - $248.7 million in 2010 - the remaining funds support the construction of new and improved Exchange facilities. In addition to improving quality-of-life, the Exchange offers an average overall savings of 24% compared to shopping the competition. Patrons can enjoy Exchange benefits in many ways, with the greatest value being the Exchange pledge "We go where you go," serving troops worldwide.

OUR VISION

To be our customers' first choice.

MILITARY SUPPORT

When military members deploy to remote locations around the world, the Exchange is right there with them, offering products and services to bring Soldiers and Airmen a taste of home. The Exchange also partners with the public to support deployed troops and their families with gift and phone cards. Any American can show support for those fighting for freedom by sending gift or prepaid phone cards to deployed troops. As of August 2011, our military and their families have received more than 225,000 phone and gift cards with a value of nearly $10 million.

eCOMMERCE AND CATALOG

The Exchange is a multi-channel retailer, offering products to authorized customers via retail stores, catalog, online and mobile shopping. More than 18 million items are available through the Exchange Online Store and Exchange Online Mall. The Exchange supports an extremely mobile customer base. The Internet provides the ability to extend the Exchange benefit to patrons worldwide, regardless of where they are located.

SOURCE OF EMPLOYMENT

The Exchange is a major employer for members of the Army and Air Force family. Among more than 43,000 Exchange Associates, some 30% are military family members. Another 1% are military members who work part time in Exchanges during their off-duty hours.

SALES AND DIVIDENDS

The Exchange pays roughly two-thirds of yearly earnings to IMCOM G-9 Family and MWR Programs . In the past ten years, the Exchange has contributed more than $2.4 billion to quality-of-life programs such as youth services, Armed Forces Recreation Centers, arts and crafts, aquatic centers, golf courses and more.

Besides funding morale and services programs, Exchange earnings also go to build new stores or renovate existing facilities. Construction funds to build these new or replacement facilities come entirely from the sale of merchandise and services.

FACILITIES WORLDWIDE

The Exchange is responsible for more than 3,100 facilities worldwide in more than 30 countries, five U.S. territories and 50 states. The Exchange operates 180 main stores and more than 2,000 fast food restaurants. The Exchange also provides military communities with convenience, specialty stores and movie theaters on installations worldwide, plus locations in Operations Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and New Dawn (Iraq). Check out the values at Shopmyexchange.com.