Santiago G. Garcia III, Director of Infrastructure Technology & Architecture, leads a group of Soldiers and Airmen on a tour of the data center during their orientation at the Army and Air Force Exchange Service headquarters in Dallas on August 9. Approximately 30 service men and women work at Exchange locations in Dallas, Europe and the Pacific. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Tim Meyer, Army and Air Force Exchange Service.
DALLAS – Active-duty service members assigned to the Army & Air Force Exchange Service learned about the inner workings of the Nation’s 61st-largest retailer during a special orientation this month at Exchange headquarters in Dallas.
“An assignment at the Exchange is an experience unlike any other in the military,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Luis Reyes, the Exchange’s senior enlisted advisor, who hosted the orientation. “Soldiers and Airmen learned many things about the Exchange they didn’t know— that the Exchange does much more than just operate main stores, food courts and gas stations. The new military associates also sensed the passion, exemplified by senior leaders, that all Exchange associates have for family serving family.”
Roughly 30 service members are assigned to the Exchange around the world, and 11 service members new to the organization attended the two-day orientation designed specifically for active-duty service members.
The orientation included briefings by senior leaders and tours of the customer contact center and IT data center. The newest military Exchange associates were introduced to topics such as finance, merchandising, corporate communication and customer relationship management, including the massive undertaking of counting and verifying Veterans who became eligible Exchange online shoppers after the introduction of the Veteran’s online shopping benefit last Veterans Day.
Col. Collin Fortier, one of the new military associates, is part of the Exchange’s community outreach team to enhance the Exchange’s relationship with the Defense Commissary Agency and other DoD partners, military leaders and Veteran organizations, so that the Exchange can better serve those military members, retirees, honorably discharged Veterans and their families.
“I am excited to be part of this team, and I look forward to supporting the regional and local Exchange leadership in all we do to serve those who serve,” Fortier said. “The level of complexity of the Exchange was an eye-opener, and its operations rival some of the major commands I have been assigned to previously. Throughout our orientation, it was abundantly clear how passionate and proud this team is serving the military community.”
Facebook Friendly Version: Soldiers and Airmen assigned to the Army & Air Force Exchange Service learned about the inner workings of the Nation’s 61st-largest retailer during a special orientation this month just for them at Exchange headquarters in Dallas. Read more: https://bit.ly/2MAo24S.
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Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange) has gone where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives by providing valued goods and services at exclusive military pricing. The Exchange is the 61st-largest retailer in the United States. Its earnings provided $2.4 billion in dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs over the last 10 years. The Exchange is a non-appropriated fund entity of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors. The Exchange is a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, planning and conducting events and activities that recognize the service, valor and sacrifice of Vietnam Veterans and their families in conjunction with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our website at http://www.shopmyexchange.com or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.
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Media Notes:
For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Sgt. 1st Class Tim Meyer, 214-312-2132 or [email protected].
Follow the Exchange:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/shopmyexchange
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shopmyexchange
Instagram: @shopmyexchange