DALLAS – Long before there was an organized retail system specifically charged with supporting America’s military, there were sutlers – bands of peddlers who followed the Army and sold provisions.

After the Civil War, Congress found the sutler system to be an ineffective means of serving Soldiers. On July 25, 1895, the War Department intervened and issued General Order Number 46 directing post commanders to establish an exchange at every post practicable.

For the next 46 years, exchanges were independent operations before the Army Exchange Service was formally established in 1941. Six years later, the Air Force was born and, in 1948, AES became the Army & Air Force Exchange Service.

As the Army & Air Force Exchange Service and its predecessors mark their 120^th anniversary on July 25, the organization’s mission remains basically the same: go where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve their quality of life.

No matter where military members serve, today’s Exchange brings a comprehensive and customer–focused benefit. In addition to its flagship main stores, the Exchange operates convenience stores, car care centers, military clothing, restaurants, retail concession services like flower shops and gift stores, vending, telecommunications support and a wide variety of personal services through more than 2,400 facilities in more than two dozen countries, five US territories and all 50 states. In 2014, the Exchange outfitted 1.3 million combat uniforms and served 4 million school lunches to children stationed overseas.  

Since its establishment in 1895, the Exchange has been involved in 14 major military operations (to include World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, the Balkans and Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom) as well as several dozen humanitarian and disaster relief contingencies.

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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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This entry was posted on Friday, July 24th, 2015 at 11:46 and is filed under Press Release. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.