Exchange Operations to Continue In Event of Government Shutdown
MEDIA CONTACT: Chris Ward
MEDIA ADVISORY: 13-061
RELEASE DATE: Sept. 30, 2013
DALLAS – The Army & Air Force Exchange Service will continue operations in the event of a U.S. Government shutdown on Oct. 1.
The Exchange will be largely unaffected by the shutdown as it is a non-appropriated instrumentality. Nearly 97 percent of its funding is generated by sales and less than three percent of its budget comes from tax dollar support.
“Some transactions may be delayed, such as the purchase of firearms which require background checks or other federal government actions but, for the most part, it will be business as usual at the Exchange,” said the Exchange’s Chief of Staff Col. Tom Ockenfels.
As a matter of course, the Department of Defense plans for contingencies. In fact, since 1980, all agencies have had a plan in case of government shutdown, and these plans are updated routinely.
“The Exchange will do everything we have to do to continue to support the Soldiers, Airmen, retirees and their families, both home and abroad,” Ockenfels said.
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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 LTC Antwan C. Williams, 214-312-2753 or [email protected].
