DALLAS –LastPass, an internet company that offers a way to centrally manage passwords, disclosed a data breach in which email addresses, password reminders and encrypted password hashes (digital fingerprint) were accessed.

Authorized shoppers who store information for shopmyexchange.com and MyECP.com accounts through LastPass should change their passwords for these accounts. 

LastPass reports they found no evidence of encrypted data taken or any LastPass user accounts accessed. LastPass believes that the data stored on their servers could not be used to facilitate a large compromise of account passwords.

LastPass advises users to change their master password if it was used as a password at other websites. They also recommend users enable multifactor authentication for added security. Multifactor Authentication protects accounts by requiring two forms of identification (Master Password + another optional form of identification) for access. 

For more information please see the LastPass Security Notice.

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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 http://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/public-affairs/press-releases.htm or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.

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DALLAS – Service members know better than anyone that superheroes exist in real life. The Army & Air Force Exchange Service, Marvel, and Hasbro are giving military shoppers the opportunity to tell their stories for a chance at $2,500 in prizes with the “Who’s My Marvel Superhero and Why?” contest.

Through July 2, Exchange shoppers can submit an essay explaining which Marvel superhero their real-life hero is most like and why. Essays of 75 words or less accompanied by a photo can be sent to [email protected]. Five contestants worldwide will each win a $500 Exchange gift card.

“Superheroes aren’t just the stuff of movies and comic books,” said Army Col. Fabian Mendoza, the Exchange Command Engineer. “Military shoppers know many real-life heroes, and I’m excited to see their stories.”

No purchase is necessary to enter. “Who’s My Marvel Superhero and Why?” contest winners will be announced on or about July 17.

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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 http://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/public-affairs/press-releases.htm or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.

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DALLAS – Military shoppers can beat the heat this summer in a sweet ride as the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, Welch’s and Sour Jacks give away two Smart cars.

Beginning June 12, authorized shoppers worldwide can enter the Promotion in Motion Smart Car Giveaway, and two winners will each receive a Smart car valued at $15,000. Winners located outside of the continental United States will have the option of receiving the cash value of the car instead.

“This giveaway is a great opportunity for the Exchange to give back to military shoppers,” said Army Col. Fabian Mendoza, the Exchange Command Engineer. “It doesn’t get more exciting than a new car.”

The sweepstakes ends Aug. 13. No purchase is necessary to enter, and entrants do not need to be present to win. Prize drawings will occur on or about Aug. 20.

For a chance to win, shoppers can visit shopmyexchange.com/sweepstakes.

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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 http://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/public-affairs/press-releases.htm or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.

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DALLAS – America’s heroes come in all forms, from the deployed active-duty service member to the retired veteran making a difference on the homefront. To honor those who serve, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service and Dickies will award an American Hero of the Year with $25,000.

All active-duty and retired U.S. military personnel and their family members are eligible to win a grand prize of $25,000 or one of four runner-up prizes of $1,000. Nominations can consist of a video less than five minutes, a photo and essay of up to 500 words or a standalone essay. The entries should detail how the nominee exemplifies hard work and determination, how they have shown courage in the face of adversity and what the nominee means to their family.

Entries will be accepted through July 18. Entrants can visit www.shopmyexchange.com/customer-service/BecauseOfYou and click on the Dickies American Hero of the Year logo to access an application.

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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 http://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/public-affairs/press-releases.htm or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.

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DALLAS – In its ongoing efforts to bring a taste of home to Soldiers, Airmen and their families, the Army & Air Force Exchange is bringing Krispy Kreme doughnuts to U.S. military installations throughout Europe later this summer.

Through a licensing agreement, the Exchange’s production plant in Gruenstadt, Germany will bake and deliver fresh Krispy Kreme products daily to Exchanges, Expresses and commissaries at U.S. military bases in Germany, Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Turkey and the United Kingdom. The doughnuts are expected to be in stores late summer.  

“I love Krispy Kreme and this is going to be amazing,” said SPC Gervin, stationed at Clay Caserne in Wiesbaden, Germany. “They’re home and that’s what’s great – having a taste of home.”

A team of master bakers at the Exchange’s Gruenstadt production plant will use Krispy Kreme’s proprietary doughnut-making equipment and ingredients to produce a wide variety of Krispy Kreme’s signature iced, filled and other doughnut offerings. The bakery currently supplies more than 200 American-branded made from scratch cookies, tortilla chips and bread daily to authorized shoppers at military bases throughout Europe, Iraq and Afghanistan.  Each product is identical to those service members, Department of Defense civilians and their families find in the United States, down to the packaging, recipes and ingredients. 

“We are excited anytime we can offer service members and their families a taste of home overseas,” said Exchange Vice President, Food, Fuel and Theater Operations Rich Pickering. “Offering ‘Hot Now’ doughnuts to European installations allows us to further expand on our commitment to enhance the customer experience through national name brands.”

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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 http://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/public-affairs/press-releases.htmor 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 Chris Ward, 214-312-2714 or [email protected].

DALLAS – According to a recent Defense Manpower Data Center survey, military spouses who moved in the past 12 months have an unemployment rate of 20 percent, twice as high as those who haven’t moved. Things are more challenging for transient military spouses with children, who suffer an unemployment rate of 30 percent.

With nearly 17 percent of approximately 35,000 Exchange associates identifying themselves as military spouses, the Exchange has long been committed to offering employment opportunities to service members’ better halves.

“The Exchange and military spouses are just a good fit,” said the Exchange’s Executive VP and Chief Human Resources Officer Leigh Roop. “Their values of loyalty, professionalism and commitment are exactly what we look for when hiring. We know it’s difficult to start over with each transfer, which is why we offer special programs with spouses in mind.”

The Exchange’s spouse continuity and preference programs allow wives, husbands and domestic partners to build a career alongside their Soldier or Airman with each relocation. In 2014, more than 850 military spouses were promoted at the Exchange.

The Exchange’s commitment to spouse employment has been recognized by a variety of organizations including Military Spouse Magazine’s “Top 10 Military Spouse Friendly Employers,” G.I. Jobs magazine’s “Top 100 Military Friendly Employers” and CivilianJobs.com’s “Most Valuable Employers for the Military.”

Complete details on how to apply for a career with the Exchange, along with a listing of current available opportunities, are available at applymyexchange.com. Questions concerning the military spouse or hiring partnership programs can be directed to the Exchange’s Human Resources Support Center at [email protected].

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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 http://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/public-affairs/press-releases.htmor follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.

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DALLAS – As Memorial Day draws near, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, along with GoPro, is commemorating the 50^th anniversary of the Vietnam War with a photo contest to honor the heroes who served.

Through the Patriot Family Faces to Remember contest, Exchange shoppers are invited to share photos from their experiences in Vietnam for a chance at four GoPro prizes. The first-place winner will receive a Hero4 black camera valued at $499, and the second-place winner will take home at Hero4 silver camera worth $399. Two third-place prizes will be awarded—a Hero3+ silver camera valued at $299.

“Many Exchange shoppers served in Vietnam or had family members who served,” said Richard Pils, who served as an Army captain in Vietnam and works in the Exchange’s Merchandising Directorate at its Dallas headquarters. “The Exchange invites shoppers to send in special photos that recall their experiences in Vietnam, including time with fellow service members and interactions with Vietnamese citizens.” 

From May 15 through June 5, Exchange shoppers are invited to send Vietnam photos and a brief description to [email protected]. Entries must include full name, mailing address, email address and telephone number.

The Patriot Family Faces to Remember photo contest is part of the Exchange’s participation in the 50^th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner Program, designed for federal, state and local agencies to thank and honor Vietnam veterans and their families. 

Additional information and instructions can be found at the Exchange’s Patriot Family Connection site atwww.shopmyexchange.com/patriot-family.

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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 http://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/public-affairs/press-releases.htmor 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 Julie Mitchell, 214-312-3327 or [email protected].

DALLAS – The Army & Air Force Exchange Service has been named as a Best for Vets employer for 2015 by Military Times. The military publication recognized the change for its commitment to providing jobs for veterans, naming it No. 28 among the top employers of veterans. This marks the second consecutive year the Exchange has received Best for Vets recognition.

“Veterans will always be welcome at the Exchange,” said Exchange Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Leigh Roop. “They offer a unique perspective and identify strongly with the Exchange mission to take care of troops and their families.”

Veterans make up 10 percent of the Exchange’s workforce of about 35,500. In 2014, the Exchange hired more than 1,200 veterans.

To learn about job opportunities, veterans can visit www.applymyexchange.com, where they can search for jobs by location. The site also includes a list of job fairs the Exchange will participate in, so veterans can meet with an Exchange representative in person. 

When conducting the sixth-annual Best for Vets: Employers survey, Military Times focused on culture and policies that cater to military veterans. The survey is made up of nearly 90 questions about a company’s efforts to connect with veterans and provide an environment for success. 

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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 http://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/public-affairs/press-releases.htmor 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 Julie Mitchell, 214-312-3327 or [email protected].

DALLAS – The Army & Air Force Exchange Service, along with Kimberly Clark, is honoring military families in its latest worldwide sweepstakes, with $10,000 in prizes at stake.

The Celebrate Family Unity sweepstakes will award $1,000 Exchange gift cards to 10 lucky winners. Authorized shoppers 18 years and older can enter at www.shopmyexchange.com/sweepstakes from May 15 to May 21.

No purchase is necessary to enter. Celebrate Family Unity sweepstakes winners will be notified on or about May 28.

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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 http://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/public-affairs/press-releases.htmor 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 Julie Mitchell, 214-312-3327 or [email protected].

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD – At 94 years old, Julia Santiago is still young at heart. And, she says, a big part of her youthful spirit is her part-time job at the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, her employer for the last 44 years. 

“I don’t plan to slow down. I’m very satisfied,” said Santiago, who has two grown children and five grandchildren.

Since 1971, Santiago has devoted herself to military members, families and retirees at Joint Base Lewis-McChord working at the Exchange. Today, she works at the Madigan Army Medical Center Subway. 

On May 4, her 94^th birthday, Santiago’s co-workers and customers feted her with cards, gifts and cake in the food court—all a surprise. 

Santiago grew up in Puerto Rico. After World War II, she worked in New York manufacturing aerial bombing targets. She moved to Washington State with her husband, Sgt. 1st Class Castor Luis Santiago, who served in the Army, including a tour in Vietnam. 

At 50 years old, once her two children were grown, Santiago wanted to find employment. A friend suggested the Exchange, and the rest is history. 

Paul Claxton, Exchange restaurant business manager, says customers at Madigan regularly seek out Santiago to chat. 

“Everyone knows Julia,” Claxton said. “I know of one Soldier who told me he first met Julia when he was stationed here as a resident 20 years ago. Now, 20 years later, Julia is still here and he still makes it part of his day to always stop by and say hello to her.”

Santiago’s wit and charm aren’t slowing down, either. The best part of her job is washing dishes “because no one bothers me,” she said with a laugh.  

Joint Base Lewis-McChord Exchange General Manager Patrick McGhee said the Exchange team wanted to do something special to celebrate Santiago’s 94^th birthday. 

“Julia means a lot to the Madigan community,” he said. “She’s a fixture here.”

For Santiago, the longevity of her career—and her advice to those in the working world—can be explained simply. 

“Be nice,” Santiago said. “Be nice to customers. Be nice to managers. Just be nice.” 

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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 http://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/public-affairs/press-releases.htm 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 Julie Mitchell, 214-312-3327 or [email protected].