The Pacific Region is vital to the Exchange mission, and my 10-day visit to Korea, Okinawa and mainland Japan underscored just how deeply our team is woven into the daily lives of Warfighters and families far from home.
President/Chief Operating Officer Marla Randolph, Commander Col. Jason Beck and region leaders joined me in visiting nearly 75 locations. From large malls, distribution centers and bakeries to troop stores, restaurants and concessionaires, each site is critical to delivering the Exchange benefit.
Throughout the Pacific, the Exchange’s mission extends across all branches of service. While our name reflects our Army, Air Force and Space Force roots, the Exchange brings a taste of home to Sailors and Marines too. Your work ensures that every member of the military community—regardless of uniform—counts on the Exchange.
The Exchange’s We Go Where You Go promise means so much across the region. In Korea, just miles from the Demilitarized Zone, the Warrior PX and Camp Bonifas Express provide essential goods—snacks, personal care items and gear—even haircuts, bringing normalcy in a unique, demanding environment.
The Pacific is also home to two of the largest exchanges in the world at USAG Humphreys in Korea and Kadena Air Base in Okinawa. These major shopping complexes, with their wide range of retail, food and services, deliver choice, convenience and value.
Exchange support across the Pacific includes a robust food program with three Exchange bakeries—at Yokota Air Base in Japan, Camp Kinser in Okinawa and Camp Humphreys in Korea. Pride and precision are the key ingredients that go into producing fresh breads, buns for Burger King and Charleys, chips and tortillas for Qdoba and many other products that reach Exchange shelves and restaurants across the region.
Our bakeries also support dining facilities for all branches of service; commissaires; Navy ships, Department of War Education Activity schools; and morale, welfare and recreation services. All told, our bakeries in the Pacific provide year-round nutritional readiness for service members and families, producing more than 4 million pounds of baked goods each year.
Throughout the trip, Marla, Col. Beck and I met with military leaders, whose troops rely on the Exchange for the basics and the comforts of home. Hearing them talk about the role the Exchange plays in their daily lives was a powerful reminder that what you do directly supports the military mission.
I was especially inspired by our associates across the Pacific. Many have served in uniform or are family members of those who do. Just as important, many of our teammates in the region have devoted decades of their careers to the Exchange and our military community.
In recognition of that extraordinary dedication, we honored 85 Pacific associates with challenge coins. These associates represent the very best of our family serving family core value.
At every stop, we talked about how the Exchange is strengthening the benefit the organization has provided for more than 130 years, enhancing the customer experience and expanding the reach of our support. That includes reinvesting in stores and growing food and retail services.
To our associates across the Pacific: Thank you for your service, unwavering dedication and care. Your commitment to excellence strengthens the military community.
Wherever duty calls—in the Pacific and around the world—the Exchange remains committed to being there, delivering the benefit and standing alongside Warfighters and families.
Share your thoughts!