One in a series honoring the Exchange’s 130 years of family serving family
Who she is: Jacqueline Youngblood, Military Clothing store manager, Cannon AFB
Years with the Exchange: More than eight.
Military connections: Youngblood has an extensive line of family members who served. Her father retired as a sergeant first class after 24 years in the Army. Two of her brothers served: one retired as an Air Force master sergeant after 24 years of service and the other served in the Army for four years. Her husband served for 20 years and retired as an Air Force tech sergeant.
Her grandfather served during World War II and was a prisoner of war during the Bataan Death March. The Bataan Death March in 1942 was the forcible 65-mile march of 60,000 to 80,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war to confinement camps throughout the Philippines. More than 1,000 Americans and 9,000 Filipinos died during the march.
Military brat life: “Growing up as a military brat meant learning that home was not always a place—sometimes it was the people who you carried with you, no matter where we go,” Youngblood said. “It has taught me resilience, independence and how to build connections quickly with people. That experience shaped me into someone who understands sacrifice, service and the strength it takes for military families to support those who wear the uniform.”
She fondly remembers growing up at various duty stations as her dad’s career progressed, especially her time at Fort Benning in her youth.
“One of my favorite memories was going to the jump towers at Fort Benning. We would sit in the car and watch Soldiers train as they jumped from the towers. Many of my favorite memories came from the family events held on base, which always brought everyone together and made military life feel especially fun.”
Remembering the Exchange: “Shopping at the Exchange was just part of life. It was familiar, it was routine and it supported our family. My favorite parts about the weekend were shopping at the Exchange and getting a treat from Frank’s Franks and Anthony’s Pizza.”
What led her to work at the Exchange: “I began working at the Exchange at Cannon AFB when my husband and I PCS’d to the area. Since we lived on base, working there felt like a natural fit. I wanted to become part of my new military community here in New Mexico, and through that experience, I have built meaningful relationships with many of the people that I have met.”
Why Month of the Military Child is important: “Being a military child means learning to say goodbye, changing schools, making new friends and starting over more times than most people can imagine. It means missing birthdays, holidays and important moments because duty calls.
“Military children don’t raise their right hand and take an oath, but they still serve. They serve quietly, behind the scenes, holding families together while their parents defend our nation.
“To every military child—past and present—your story matters. Your strength matters. Your sacrifices do not go unnoticed.”
Family Serving Family: “Family serving family means understanding the military community on a deeper level because I have lived it. To me, it means being able to support service members and their families not just as customers, but as people whose experiences I truly understand. Having grown up in a military family and now being part of one as a spouse, it feels meaningful to give back to the same community that helped shape my life. It is more than service, it is a connection built on shared experience, trust, and understanding.”
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