DALLAS – When Shane Hollingshed applied to work at the Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Exchange, he had little idea he would soon become part of Army & Air Force Exchange Service history.
As the Exchange’s 49,000th Veteran or military spouse hire since 2013, the six-year Air Force Veteran officially brings the Department of Defense retailer into the home stretch of its goal of hiring 50,000 heroes.
“When you leave the military, it almost feels like something’s been left behind,” said Hollingshed, who works in the Fort Sam PX warehouse. “But when an organization has an initiative like this, you feel like they’ll never forget what you did, which makes you feel like you’ll never forget either. It makes us feel appreciated, and it feels good.”
The Exchange is a leading employer of Veterans, military spouses and family members, who comprise 45% of its U.S. workforce.
“Veterans and military spouses know how to meet the needs of Exchange shoppers because they are Exchange shoppers,” said Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull. “That’s what family serving family is all about: Providing spouses and Veterans with meaningful careers so they can help us serve the best customers in the world.”
Hiring Veterans and military spouses is a quality-of-life force multiplier. Offering competitive pay and benefits, the Exchange has been named a Military Times Best for Vets employer and one of U.S. Veterans Magazine’s Best of the Best Top Government and Law Enforcement Agencies for seven years running. Viqtory Media, publisher of Military Spouse and G.I. Jobs magazines, has named the Exchange a Military Friendly® Spouse Employer nine times and a Military Friendly® Employer 11 times.
Looking back on his time in the Air Force, Hollingshed remembers the warm welcome he always received from the Exchange greeter every time he set foot in the store. As an Exchange associate, he said, he gets the same warm feeling walking into work every morning.
“You always see someone who’s happy every day, saying ‘good morning’ every time you pass them,” he said. “You don’t get that experience at every job, but ever since I joined the team, that’s what it’s been like.
“You would think that greeter person was told they had to be so friendly because it was part of their job, but now I know it was genuine. That’s how they treat each other as employees, too.”
Veterans and military spouses interested in working for the Exchange can visit ApplyMyExchange.com.
Facebook-friendly version: The Army & Air Force Exchange Service has hired its 49,000th Veteran or military spouse, closing in on its goal of hiring 50,000 spouses and Veterans. Visit ApplyMyExchange.com and learn more here: https://wp.me/p9Q7PG-1KS.
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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 $2.1 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 Conner Hammett, 214-312-2714 or [email protected].
Follow the Exchange:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/shopmyexchange
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shopmyexchange
Instagram: @shopmyexchange