More than 2,600 Air Force Basic Military Trainees, who will not be home for the holidays, were treated to cheer at the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Exchange during the annual shopping extravaganza.
The trainees, who are typically not allowed to leave their dormitories, were given a rare break from their rigorous training schedule and allowed to shop at the Exchange on Dec. 6 for holiday gifts for loved ones.
“This day allows the trainees a nice break from training and a chance to shop for their loved ones back home and I know how much it means to them,” said Col. William Ackman, commander of the 737th Training Group. “I want to thank the Exchange for being a part of this. I’ve been deployed to so many different locations and the Exchange has always been there. This is the first touch point for a career or lifelong relationship these trainees will have with the Exchange so what better way to introduce them to what the Exchange has to offer.”
The JBSA-Lackland Exchange opened early for the trainees, who were bused from their dormitories by squadron.
“The entire Joint Base San Antonio Exchange team spends months preparing for this event,” said Lackland Exchange General Manager Mikel Hunter, whose teammates were decked in festive attire. “When we opened this morning, we had more than 75 associates welcoming the trainees and helping them through every step of their shopping experience.”
Members of the Exchange’s Corporate Communication team helped hundreds of trainees send real-time greetings to family and friends via Facebook Live—a chance for families to see their Airman for the first time since training began.
The live feeds resonated with viewers across the world, reaching more than 144,000 viewers with more than 83,000 comments, reactions and shares.
Trainee Dominic Davis, a 19-year-old from Killeen, Texas, was one of the first through the doors and had no idea that his wife was posting in the Facebook Live comments looking for him.
“It was definitely a nice surprise, I wasn’t thinking she’d be online and then I heard from some of my flight members that she was looking for me,” Davis said. “It was great to be able to talk to her and to be able to be here today. It feels awkward to be normal for a few hours, but this day is kind of rejuvenating.”
In addition to shopping, trainees could take photos with a Santa donned in camouflage and the Grinch while also shopping for gifts to send home.
After purchasing gifts, trainees were bused to the BMT Reception Center, where volunteers wrapped packages, which were then shipped via UPS.
“It is such an emotional and rewarding event,” Hunter said. “We get to introduce the trainees to the Exchange, knowing they are going to be our lifelong customers. This is the reason we do what we do.”
Catch up on the fun
View photos of the merriment on Flickr.
Experience the heartfelt holiday greetings from trainees to their loved ones on Facebook here, here and here.
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