POZNAN, Poland – The Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s senior enlisted advisor visited installations throughout Poland for a firsthand look at how the Exchange is supporting deployed service members.
During his visit, Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Osby, along with the Exchange’s Europe/Africa/Southwest Asia Senior Enlisted Advisor Sgt. Maj. Jason Urquhart, toured Exchange facilities in Zagan, Drawsko Pomorskie, Ziemsko and Poznan to see the scope of Exchange support. Osby and Urquhart also met with Area Support Group – Poland Deputy Commander Michael A. Terilli on March 27 to discuss how the Department of Defense retailer can improve the quality of life for the community.
No matter where troops go, the Exchange goes with them. Warfighters far from home can pick up familiar brands and needed tastes of home, even when in remote, hostile or austere locations.
“No service member is forgotten,” Osby said. “In areas and situations where we can’t build a store, we’ll bring the Exchange to those troops.”
Exchange Europe/SWA Senior Enlisted Advisor Sgt. Maj. Jason Urquhart, Area Support Group Poland Deputy Commander Michael Terilli, Exchange Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Osby, and Grafenwoehr Consolidated Exchange General Manager Brian Smith met to discuss the Exchange’s support of troops in Poland.
In Zagan, the Exchange serves troops with a Direct Operational Exchange-Tactical (DOX-T), a permanent facility similar to an Express that also offers items like towels and personal hygiene products, as well as a place to grab coffee and hot food on the go. The Exchange also operates a barbershop and mobile phone center in Zagan. Troops in Pomorskie and Ziemsko have access to mobile field Exchanges, which are 53-foot Exchange stores on wheels with snacks, drinks and toiletries, such as deodorant, socks, shaving cream and more. In remote areas or locations with a smaller number of service members, such as Poznan, the Exchange operates rodeos, where the nearest Exchange store loads up a box truck once or twice a week with snacks, toiletries and essentials and drives to wherever the troops are to ensure they have access to these comforts.
“The Exchange brings a taste of home to those far from home,” said Osby, one of about 30 active-duty service members assigned to the Exchange. “We work hand-in-hand with local commands to ensure our troops have what they need, whatever the situation.”
Exchange associates are dedicated to serving the military community around the world. Since 9/11, 4,900 Exchange associates have volunteered to deploy to support service members in hostile and austere locations.
100% of Exchange earnings are reinvested in the military community through funding for critical Quality-of-Life programs, as well as capital improvements. In the last 10 years, the Exchange worldwide has contributed $3.5 billion in earnings.
“The Exchange is a lifeline to home for overseas troops,” Osby said. “No matter where you are serving, the Exchange is there for you.”
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Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange) has gone where Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians 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 54th-largest retailer in the United States. 100% of Exchange earnings support military communities. In the last 10 years, your Exchange benefit has provided $3.5 billion in earnings for critical military Quality-of-Life programs. 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 Marisa Conner at 214-312-5111 or [email protected].
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