At first glance, the dusty landscape in Iraq might look like the end of the road. But for three Exchange retirees, it marks the beginning of a new chapter in a lifelong commitment to serving those who serve.
Ken Limtiaco, Rob Baker and Mike Lowry didn’t return for a paycheck. They came back for the mission.
Decades ago, each began their Exchange journey, managing stores, leading teams, supporting troops on U.S. soil. Today, after retiring, they’ve stepped back into leadership roles in the heart of a deployed environment. Limtiaco now serves as vice president of Southwest Asia. Baker is general manager for Iraq. And Lowry, bringing years of field-tested experience, supports operations in Iraq. Together, they embody the truth that service doesn’t stop when the uniform comes off or the ID badge is turned in.
“My first deployment was in 2003,” Baker said. “We’d pack merchandise late into the night, then head into the Kuwaiti desert in 120-degree heat. Troops would line up under the blazing sun just for a cold drink or a melted candy bar and still say thank you. That moment never left me.”
What brings them back isn’t nostalgia—it’s purpose and the visible, tangible impact that comes from meeting troops where they are.
“I’ve been in meetings across six countries,” Limtiaco said. “Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. In each place, the reaction is the same. When service members realize we’re there with them, it changes the atmosphere. We’re not just delivering goods. We’re delivering comfort, connection, and a reminder they’re not forgotten.”
Life in a deployed environment is demanding, with long hours, harsh conditions, and constant change. But it offers something few other jobs can: meaning. In places like Iraq, even the smallest comforts—a familiar snack, shampoo, a hot meal—can transform a day.
“You see service members out here who are thousands of miles from home,” Baker said. “Then you watch their faces light up when they walk into the Exchange. You’re giving them a piece of normality. A piece of home. That matters.”
Beyond the support for Warfighters, deployment also brings personal growth, sharpened leadership, deeper empathy, and broader perspective.
“I’ve worked with people from all over the world, some who’ve been doing this for over 20 years,” Baker said. “It’s a global team with a shared mission. I’m proud to be part of it.”
For retirees, deployment is a second chance to lead, with hard-earned wisdom and renewed purpose.
“This experience matures you,” Limtiaco said. “It sharpens your leadership and deepens your empathy. I’ve walked away from this more reflective, more grateful, and more committed to the mission than ever before.”
These leaders didn’t have to come back. They chose to, because in places like Iraq, the mission is real, and the impact is immediate.
Now, they’re calling on others to follow in their footsteps.
“There’s no greater way to live our motto, ‘We go where you go,’ than by stepping forward when the mission needs you most,” said Limtiaco. “If you’ve still got the heart to serve, we’ve got a place for you.”
If you’ve ever wanted to be part of something bigger than yourself, this is the opportunity. If you feel the pull of service, miss the energy of a high-impact team, or want to put your skills to work where they matter most, step forward. Deployment isn’t for everyone. But for those ready to serve at the tip of the spear, it can change your life.
Because when the mission calls, the Exchange answers. And you can too. https://www.applymyexchange.com/deployment/
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