The Exchange is making significant investments to modernize and upgrade operations, with new constructions, image upgrades, expansions and more, at remote and isolated locations.
Dozens of major improvements have been completed, or are underway since the Army’s original pilot program targeting Quality-of-Life improvements at its “big three” installations (Forts Irwin, Polk and Wainwright) launched in 2020. These three installations have seen major improvements including nearly $17 million in upgrades to the Fort Wainwright PX, Express and Burger King; a new $16 million Express at Fort Irwin; and a $2.9 million Express upgrade at Fort Polk. After the big three initiative was established, the Army added Fort Hood as a fourth installation. The Exchange responded with related projects to improve the shopping experience at Fort Hood as well.
“The Exchange has completed or awarded all Quality-of-Life projects originally planned at the start of the Army’s big three program,” said Senior Vice President of Real Estate Mike Smietana. “This collective achievement is a result of hard work and collaboration with installation partners, ensuring the best customers in the world are taken care of no matter where their service takes them.” The Exchange, however, didn’t stop at the big three and evaluated other remote or hardship locations to ensure their facilities best represented the brand standard for customers. That led to additional Quality-of-Life projects
Some of the other projects include:
- Eglin Air Force Base (Duke Field): New 3,000-square-foot Express featuring a Hunt Brothers Pizza, barber shop and covered fuel pumps; more than 85% of project cost funded by the Exchange
- Columbus Air Force Base: Main store renovation, combining with relocated Express and fuel station; 70% of total project cost funded by the Exchange
- Fort McCoy: Express update to integrate Military Clothing Store; 94% of total project cost funded by the Exchange
- Dugway Proving Ground: Express image upgrade and addition of Hunt Brothers Pizza; 86% of total project cost funded by the Exchange
Projects at similar remote and isolated facilities from mid-May 2024 through approved projects scheduled throughout 2026 total nearly $92 million in investment directly from Exchange earnings.
“These investments are a testament to the strength of the virtuous circle that is the 130-year-old Exchange benefit,” said Chief Master Sgt. Rich Martinez, Exchange senior enlisted advisor. “100% of Exchange earnings are returned to the communities the organization is honored to serve. In 2024, the Exchange achieved $492 million in dividend-eligible earnings, with $295 million generated for budget-constrained Quality-of-Life programs—without burdening American taxpayers. In the last 10 years, the Exchange benefit has provided $15 billion in value to the military community.”
In addition to new facility construction, major image upgrades to PXs, BXs, Expresses, name-brand restaurants, troop stores and more bring Exchange operations up to the latest brand standards with new signage, branding, flooring and lighting, exterior designs and more.
“Whether renovating a main store, adding favorite dining options or simply providing more fuel stations, these upgrades are key to strengthening recruiting, readiness and resiliency,” Martinez said. “No matter where our Nation’s military mission goes, the Exchange benefit goes where service members and their families go to provide best tastes of home, tax-free and with military exclusive pricing.”
Leave a Reply