MEDIA CONTACT:\u00a0Chris Ward
\nMEDIA ADVISORY: 11-062
\nRELEASE DATE:\u00a0December 7,\u00a02011<\/p>\n
DALLAS \u2013 <\/strong>On any given day, a variety of visitors, contractors and Department of Defense (DoD) civilians visit any one of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service\u2019s more than 3,000 food, entertainment and retail operations around the world. The question most frequently posed by these visitors is \u201cWho\u2019s authorized to shop these facilities?\u201d<\/p>\n Exchange service authorization actually begins with the House Armed Services Committee and ultimately ends with the installation commander. The guidelines, as prescribed by Army Regulation 215-8\/Air Force Instruction 34-211 (I)<\/a> and the Armed Services Exchange Regulations, Department of Defense Instruction 1330.21<\/a>, require proper identification of authorized customers, including uniformed personnel and members of the Reserve Components and family members, applicable DoD civilians, Exchange associates, retirees and their dependents who possess a basic Exchange purchase privilege authorization card.<\/p>\n While rules governing who can buy merchandise and services at Exchanges often apply to a chosen few, the doors to the Exchange\u2019s 1,500-plus food facilities and more than 300 Expresses are open to virtually anyone looking for a taste of home. In fact, DoD policy allows all federal government employees, and even installation visitors, to dine at Exchange restaurants as long as their orders are consumed on the installation. Furthermore, anyone can purchase single-serve consumables from an Express, an option that is especially valuable late at night considering many Exchange convenience stores offer extended hours.<\/p>\n \u201cMost Expresses have \u201cSnack Avenues\u201d which offer a broad selection of snacks and beverages,\u201d said the Exchange\u2019s Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Jeffry Helm. \u201cFruit, candy bars, soft drinks and even chicken pot pies can be picked up by just about anyone with business on the installation.\u201d<\/p>\n Anyone who believes they may qualify for exchange benefits, including access to the main Exchange, may go to www.shopmyexchange.com<\/a>, select \u201cExchange Stores\u201d and then choose \u201cAuthorized Patrons\u201d from the menu on the left of the page. Store-level contact information is available online at www.shopmyexchange.com<\/a> under the \u201cStore Locator\u201d link.<\/p>\n — 30 —<\/p>\n 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<\/span>.<\/p>\n ###<\/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