DALLAS – The Army & Air Force Exchange Service paid a dividend of $225 million in 2016 to Army, Air Force, Marine Corp and Navy Quality-of-Life programs. In the past 10 years, the Exchange has contributed more than $2.4 billion in dividends to Army Child Development Centers, Youth Services and fitness centers, as well as Air Force Outdoor Recreation services and other activities that make life better for service members and their families. One hundred percent of Exchange earnings support the military community.
“Roughly two-thirds of Exchange earnings support the Services’ Quality-of-Life programs,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Luis Reyes, the Exchange’s senior enlisted advisor. “Using your exchange benefit is the only way to guarantee your shopping supports on-installation programs. When service members shop or dine at the Exchange, they are investing in their own communities.”
The remaining one-third of Exchange earnings fund building new stores and updating existing ones to improve the shopping experience. In 2016, the Exchange invested $223 million in new, revamped and expanded facilities and improvements to ShopMyExchange.com.
“In 2016, the Exchange expanded its online assortment by about 32,000 items, extending product selection as well as available sizes in clothing and shoes,” Reyes said. “Shopping the Exchange helps maintain the virtuous circle that is the service members’ and their families’ Exchange benefit.”
Exchange support to the military goes beyond Soldiers and Airmen. Because the Exchange serves Marines and Sailors at select brick and mortar stores and online, funds are returned to their Quality-of-Life programs as well.
The Exchange’s FY 2016 dividend of $225 million was distributed as follows:
Army: $128M
Air Force: $76M
Marines: $16M
Navy: $5M
Total: $225M
The Exchange’s mission of providing quality goods and services at competitively low prices while generating earnings to support Quality-of-Life programs means that the Exchange benefit is more than finding a good price on merchandise. It enhances the lives of service members and their families right where they live, work and play.
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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service paid a dividend of $225 million in 2016 to Army, Air Force, Marine Corp and Navy Quality-of-Life programs. In the past 10 years, the Exchange has contributed more than $2.4 billion in dividends to Army Child Development Centers, Youth Services and fitness centers, as well as Air Force Outdoor Recreation services and other activities that make life better for service members and their families. Using your exchange benefit is the only way to guarantee that 100 percent of earnings created as a result of your shopping will support on-installation programs.
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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service goes where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives through goods and services provided. Exchange earnings provide dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs. The Exchange is part of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors, responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and Air Force through the Chiefs of Staff. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at https://publicaffairs-sme.com/ExchangePost/ or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.
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