July 18, 1866 – Congress does away with the corrupt “sutler” system, effective July 1, 1867.
July 24, 1876 – The Secretary of War appoints one post trader at every military post, such as these folks at Fort Buford, N.D.
July 25, 1895 – War Department General Orders No. 46 directs post commanders to open a post exchange. Their mission was to “supply troops at reasonable prices with articles of ordinary use, wear and consumption . . . and afford them means of rational recreation and amusement.” The secondary mission was to use profits to improve the mess halls.
July 26, 1948 – The Army Exchange Service becomes the Army and Air Force Exchange Service.
July 28, 1992 – AAFES expands its deferred payment plan throughout CONUS after a test run in Europe. The DPP would eventually become the Military Star credit card.
July 15, 1996 – AAFES debuts its first website, www.aafes.com, about the organization. Two years later, online shopping debuts.
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