129 Years of Family Serving Family: Joyce Wynn, Fort Jackson

One in a series honoring the Exchange’s 129 years of family serving family

Who she is: Joyce Wynn, Fort Jackson Class Six shift manager

Years at the Exchange: 15 years. Wynn started in 2007 as a seasonal part-time associate at U.S. Army Garrison Mannheim, which the Army left in 2011. She also worked for the Navy Exchange for three years.

Military connections: Wynn’s husband retired as a master sergeant after serving 25 years in the Army, which included assignments with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. He started as unit supply specialist, also known as a 92 Yankee. Wynn’s stepson also serves in the Army, where he has completed six years and holds the rank of sergeant.

What brought her to the Exchange: As a new mom and military spouse, Wynn looked to the Exchange for work.

“I was looking for something because I had a child, and I wanted something that worked with my schedule. I wanted to work but it was hard not having family or anyone else there. I went to the Exchange and got hired for temporary part-time. The manager was able to accommodate my schedule.”

Her Exchange career: Wynn has held a variety of roles.

At Fort Riley, she was a warehouse worker. She later worked in domestics/housewares at Fort Belvoir. At Camp Zama in Japan, she worked with the school meal program.

Since her husband retired from service, they settled down at Fort Jackson.

“Every duty station has been able to accommodate my schedule so I can be there for my children,” Wynn said. “We came to Fort Jackson because we wanted to be closer to family. We also wanted to be close to a base. I was able to transfer my job here.”

Memorable moments: One day while working at the Fort Riley Exchange, Wynn went into labor.

“I think I was seven months pregnant. I went into labor, then I went to the hospital. I had a difficult pregnancy and had to have a caesarean section. My Exchange team was with me, and they all stayed with me until my mother and sister could come visit me. My spouse was deployed. The team sat with me in the hospital, kept me fed and brought gifts for me and the baby.”

Family Serving Family: “We’re all dealing with the same thing as spouses or dependents. When you go to Germany or Japan, the only family you have is who you went over there with. The Exchange became a big part of my everyday life because I saw them every day. It’s been nice to feel like I had family around being so far away from my own. Your fellow associates will show up for you like family. It means being there for each other and doing our best.”