Rodney Henderson head shot

One in a series spotlighting Veteran and military spouse associates, who bring unique experiences to the Exchange mission.

Who he is:  Rodney Henderson, business analyst I, HQ Logistics

Years with the Exchange: Four years

Military connection: Army Veteran and military brat

At the Exchange, heroes continue serving long after they hang up their uniforms. For Henderson, that commitment to service has come full circle.

Henderson’s connection to the military began long before he raised his right hand.

“My dad was in the Army, so I grew up in the military community,” Henderson said. “Being part of that community, you already understood what that meant.”

Following in his father’s footsteps, Henderson joined the Army, serving in the maintenance field. His assignments included Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Myer (while living on Fort Belvoir), Virginia; Fort Richardson, Alaska; and Fort Gordon, Georgia. He deployed for 12 months to Afghanistan and nine months to Kuwait (2015–2016), where he was stationed at Camp Buehring.

As part of maintenance teams supporting operations in the region, Henderson ensured equipment readiness—an essential component of mission success.

Today, Henderson brings that same operational mindset to his role as a business analyst. For Henderson, working at the Exchange is more than a job—it’s a continuation of service.

“Being able to help service members is really important,” Henderson said. “I can’t speak for every Veteran, but for me, it’s very important.”

His military background gives him firsthand insight into the needs of Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians and military families. That perspective fuels his work supporting the systems and processes that keep the Exchange running worldwide.

Why the Exchange?

Henderson serves as a business analyst on the supply chain operations vendor management team at HQ. He began this role in January. He helps manage vendor-related supply chain operations across the Exchange. The team is responsible for owning and resolving vendor-related supply chain issues from end to end, ensuring products and services flow efficiently through the organization.

“I chose this career because it gives me an opportunity to serve those who serve in a meaningful way,” Henderson said. “I care about service members and their families and can say that I understand some of the challenges they face because I lived it. Working at the Exchange gives me an opportunity to serve a community that has shaped who I am today.”

Family Serving Family

As a Veteran and a military brat, Henderson embodies the Exchange’s mission of family serving family. He understands the sacrifices made by military families because he lived them—first as a son, then as a Soldier.

Now, Henderson continues to support the military community from a different vantage point—ensuring the Exchange remains ready to serve wherever Warfighters go.

From deployment zones to headquarters, Henderson’s commitment remains the same: support the mission and take care of the community.

Advice for Veterans considering the Exchange

“My biggest advice would be to trust in yourself and your abilities,” Henderson said. “Transitioning can be challenging but remember that many of the skills you built in the military carry over directly to the Exchange. Your teamwork, accountability, attention to detail and problem-solving abilities will serve you well and help you be successful.”

 

  1. MONICA LEATCH in PZ Avatar

    Great Article! … This is why I love working at AAFES/The Exchange.


  2. Rhonda Avatar

    Loved hearing your story! Thank you for your service and all the hard work you put into your daily work continuing to serve our Military.


Leave a Reply to Rhonda Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

The Exchange Post