MEDIA CONTACT:\u00a0Chris Ward
\nMEDIA ADVISORY: 13-020
\nRELEASE DATE:\u00a0April 18, 2013<\/p>\n
DALLAS \u2013<\/strong> While some advertise efforts to hire veterans, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service simply does what it has for more than 117 years \u2013 extend career opportunities to veterans and their families<\/a>. In fact, 10 percent of the Exchange\u2019s workforce is comprised of veterans with military spouses and family members accounting for another 24 percent.<\/p>\n With more than 40,000 jobs, the Exchange is doing its part not only to employ veterans and military spouses, but also provide opportunities.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Exchange doesn\u2019t just hire current and former members of the military community in jobs \u2013 we offer careers in service and support,\u201d said the Exchange\u2019s Chief of Staff Col. Thomas Ockenfels. \u201cIt\u2019s just a natural fit. Veterans, spouses and dependents know our customers better than anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n Uniting with the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP), Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) and the Wounded Warrior Project, there are currently 4,196 veteran associates working for the Exchange. In 2013, the goal is to increase veteran management hires by 33 percent from 2012.<\/p>\n Additionally, partnerships with the Operation Warfighter (OWF) Program and Feds Hire Vets initiative give the Exchange increased visibility.<\/p>\n Veterans can also apply for the Exchange\u2019s \u201cDetail to Retail\u201d management trainee programs, which are designed to train various levels of retail management. Upon successful completion, participants are assigned to Exchange facilities across the world in a variety of different roles, including Store Manager, Branch Store Manager, Sales Area Manager and Stockroom Manager.<\/p>\n Complete details on how veterans and their families can apply for a career with the Exchange are available at www.shopmyexchange.com\/AboutExchange\/Careers\/militaryfamilies.htm<\/a>.<\/p>\n — 30 —<\/p>\n The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint non-appropriated fund instrumentality of the Department of Defense 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. \u00a0The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military morale, welfare and recreation 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n Media Notes:<\/strong><\/p>\n For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Chris Ward, 214-312-2714 or wardchr@aafes.com.<\/p>\n\t