MEDIA CONTACT: Sydney Bierman
MEDIA ADVISORY: 11-033
RELEASE DATE: June 30, 2011

DALLAS – Authorized patrons looking to decrease their own personal debt ceiling can take part in the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s latest stimulus package by entering for a chance to win one of 15 $1,000 gift cards.

The giveaway, in partnership with Unilever, runs now through July 15. All eligible shoppers, including National Guard, Reserve, retirees and active duty personnel, can enter to win by simply filling out an entry form at their local Exchange.

“With the price matching and tax free savings the Exchange offers, a $1,000 gift card could make for a terrific debt-reduction deal,” said the Exchange’s Senior Listed Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Jeffry Helm. “Considering the Exchange has everything from dog food to diapers, winners can use their card for everything they need while giving their bank account a bit of a vacation.”

The Exchange’s Unilever gift card giveaway drawing will take place on or about August 24.

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 The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint command and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff. The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with articles of merchandise and services and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (FMWR) programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

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 Media Notes:

 For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Sydney Bierman, 214-312-2132 or [email protected].

MEDIA CONTACT: Chris Ward
MEDIA ADVISORY: 11-032
RELEASE DATE: June 29, 2011

With a value proposition of “You Save. We Give Back” and a mission to provide military shoppers with quality goods and services at competitively low prices, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service has to work double-time to deliver the savings troops have come to expect.

Military shoppers trying to squeeze the most out of their dollar, of course, have an edge thanks to the tax-free advantage they find at the Exchange. But the Exchange can save troops and their families even more thanks to Market Price Coordinators, whose main duty is to compare the prices of top sellers in key categories with local competition at least once a month.

“Market Price Coordinators play an extremely important role in our day-to-day operations,” said the Exchange’s Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief MSgt. Jeffry Helm. “From soda and snacks to washers and driers, these associates ensure that the Exchange’s prices are comparable, if not lower, than the competition.”

Market Price Coordinators conduct periodic checks at local convenience, liquor and big box stores, comparing Exchange prices on top selling items in each department. The results are then sent to a central pricing team. From there, pre-tax shelf prices are set to be comparable to the competition. Shelf prices are of primary concern because all products available at the Exchange, except for gasoline, are not subject to sales tax.

In addition to regular, local price surveys, the Exchange offers a “We’ll Match It!” program that acts as a last line of defense to ensure military shoppers always receive the lowest price possible when shopping the Exchange. If a shopper sees a price differential of less than $10 they can simply tell the cashier who will match it on the spot. Anyone who reports a price difference of $10 dollars or more need only bring a current local competitor’s ad to receive the reduced price.

— 30 —

 The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint command and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff. The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with articles of merchandise and services and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (FMWR) programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

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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].

MEDIA CONTACT: Lisa Neidinger
MEDIA ADVISORY: 11-031
RELEASE DATE: June 28, 2011

DALLAS – Any American can help Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines stay connected this Fourth of July by sending All-Services Exchange long-distance calling and gift cards to those who will mark the holiday far from home.

With deployed servicemembers in Iraq for Operation New Dawn, Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom, and numerous other contingency locations, the distance from home to duty has grown. But as military service locations change, Exchange calling cards help troops stay in touch, while Exchange gift cards let troops get what they want and need, such as snacks and electronics.

“There’s nothing like talking to loved ones to help bridge the deployment distance,” said the Exchange’s Senior Enlisted Advisor, Chief Master Sgt. Jeffry Helm. “Calling cards not only connect deployed folks in Iraq and Afghanistan, but we also have ship-to-shore cards for Navy and Coast Guard members out at sea.”

Both calling and gift cards are available through the Exchange 24-hours a day. Individual cards range from $10 to $500. Individuals and organizations can buy up to 100 cards per purchase.

Gift cards can be used by any military member, stateside or overseas, at any of the Exchange facilities worldwide or online. Receiving cards boosts morale especially for those deployed.

“Exchange gift cards are a great way to ensure troops are able to get what they want,” said Helm, noting that there are 80 store facilities and more than 160 food vendors from Afghanistan to the United Arab Emirates in contingency locations.

For nearly 116 years the Exchange has gone where the troops go, and these cards go as well. Americans who don’t personally know a deployed soldier but want to help, can purchase cards at the Exchange online site, www.shopmyexchange.com. Midway down the page is the heading “Shop Online” and tabs to the right; click on “Support Your Troops,” and under “Don’t Know a Person to Send a Gift To?,” the site shows six military charities, ranging from the American Red Cross to the USO.

No matter where shoppers celebrate the 4^th of July and summer fun, it’s easy to help our defenders of Freedom: the Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and Marines, with global calling cards and gift cards.

Any American can send gift or calling cards by logging on to https://shop.aafes.com/gcs/default.aspx, or by phoning the Exchange at 800-527-2345.

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 The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint command and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff. The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with articles of merchandise and services and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

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 Media Notes:  For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Lisa Neidinger, 214-312-4168 or [email protected].

Army & Air Force Exchange Service Public Affairs

NEWS RELEASE: 11-028                                                  June 9, 2011

EXCHANGE MEDIA CONTACT: CHRIS WARD – [email protected]

 The Exchange Named to List of Most Valuable Employers for Military

 DALLAS – For the second consecutive year, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service has been recognized by CivilianJobs.com as a Most Valuable Employer (MVE) for military members. The MVE list serves to help military-experienced job seekers identify the top employers to target for civilian careers.

 “It is an honor to once again be recognized as a top employer for those with military backgrounds,” said the Exchange’s Service Senior Vice President of Human Resources, James Moore.  “It validates our team’s tireless efforts to hire and train people who share our commitment to the military communities we so proudly serve.”

 MVEs are selected annually based on those employers whose recruiting, training and retention plans best serve military servicemembers and veterans.

 — 30 —

 The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint command and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff. The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with articles of merchandise and services and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (FMWR) programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

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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].

Army & Air Force Exchange Service Public Affairs

NEWS RELEASE: 11-027                                                                                       June 7, 2011

EXCHANGE MEDIA CONTACT: Lisa Neidinger – [email protected] 

 Catch a ‘Star’ – Exchange recognizes Associate excellence

 DALLAS – “Catch a Star” is the new Army & Air Force Exchange Service program recognizing associate excellence on the job. Simply put, if any unit commander coins an associate for going above and beyond, Exchange headquarters wants to know it.

 “We in the Exchange leadership want to know when associates are recognized, so that we too can thank them for their outstanding work,” said Maj. Gen. Bruce Casella, Exchange commander. “We’re thrilled when associates go above and beyond, even more so when folks outside our organization say ‘thanks.’”

 In military units, officials expressing appreciation often send official letters through the outstanding performer’s chain of command. Because of the growing practice of coining performers providing superior customer service, official documentation rarely makes it to employee files, unless the coining is by Exchange leaders.

 Now “Catch a Star” will correct that. Anyone aware of a coin presentation or other outstanding performance recognition can send a quick e-mail to [email protected]. Simply say who was recognized by what leader, why, when and how, and give a point of contact for verification. Exchange headquarters staff will do the rest.

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint command and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff. The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with articles of merchandise and services and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

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Media Notes:  For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Lisa Neidinger, 214-312-4168 or [email protected].

MEDIA CONTACT: Judd Anstey
MEDIA ADVISORY: 11-030
RELEASE DATE: June 27, 2011

DALLAS – Social Security numbers are enjoying the top-secret clearance they have always deserved as the Department of Defense has removed the nine digit number from Identification Cards issued after June 1, 2011.

Authorized Exchange shoppers who receive the new ID will notice some changes when writing a check, putting something on layaway or making a return at an Army & Air Force Exchange Service facility.

The absence of the Social Security number, the only number used by DoD for financial transactions to recover lost funds, means that cashiers will scan the new IDs to facilitate certain financial transactions.

“We’ve spent a great deal of time upgrading our systems to recognize the new IDs and provide these services without interruption,” said the Exchange’s Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief MSgt. Jeffry Helm. “The scanning process not only is more convenient, but also helps protect service members’ personal data. So whether the ID is old or new, authorized shoppers have the proper ‘security clearance’ to exercise their Exchange benefit and shop with peace of mind.”

While not a new process, scanning for the DoD ID number to complete select transactions assists in guarding the investment authorized shoppers make in their communities. A military command with a retail mission, two-thirds of Exchange earnings are paid to morale, welfare and recreation programs. Procedures that protect assets helped the Exchange to contribute more than $2.4 billion to quality-of-life improvements over the past decade in support of youth services, Armed Forces Recreation Centers, arts and crafts, aquatic centers, golf courses and more.

Information concerning the DoD’s new Smart Card is available online at dmdc.osd.mil/smartcard.

  –30 –

 The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint command and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff. The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with articles of merchandise and services and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

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 Media Notes:  For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Judd Anstey, 214-312-3861 or [email protected].