Growing Careers Across the Exchange

Careers at the Exchange don’t typically move in a straight line; they grow through experiences, coaching and learning at every step. Our Field Operations Learning Roadmap makes that journey visible, showing how retail, food and services leaders can build skills from first‑time managers through seasoned general manager roles using a mix of cyclical and on-demand programs.

Cyclical programs: your core path

• • Academies (RMA, ROMA, SBMA)
    These academies provide eight weeks of focused learning, offered twice a year. They give rising leaders the fundamentals of Exchange retail and service operations: customer focus, merchandising, basic financial acumen and day‑to‑day business management.

• • Bridge
    Designed for academy graduates and PB 3 managers, Bridge adds 90 days of learning in one cycle annually. It helps leaders deepen their understanding of business drivers and prepares them for larger roles and more complex locations.

• • Leadership EnhancementTailored to Bridge graduates or PB 4 managers, this program offers 120 days of learning, offered once a year. Leadership Enhancement strengthens people leadership, performance management and the ability to lead through change across diverse teams.

Together, these cyclical programs form a clear ladder of growth so associates can see how “what I’m learning now” connects to “where I can go next” in field operations.

Non‑cyclical programs: support when it matters most

• • PACE: Management Acclimation Training
    PACE provides accelerated onboarding, flexible learning and dedicated coaching for new-to-the-Exchange managers, including external hires, Veterans and Mobile Readiness Force (MRF) participants. It focuses on helping leaders acclimate quickly to our culture, tools and expectations so they can be effective in their roles sooner.

• • Executive/Leadership Development Program
    This nomination‑based program serves PB 4/3 and 5/1 leaders, as well as PB 5/2+ succession candidates, through about eight months of learning. Offered every other year, starting in the summer of even years, it builds strategic leadership capabilities and prepares high‑potential talent for executive‑level responsibilities within the Exchange.

• • General Manager Transitions
    For new GMs, transition programming is required and includes SME‑presented topics and job shadowing. All GMs, at any time, can tap into these resources to refresh their skills, prepare for a new assignment or strengthen their leadership impact in retail, food or services operations.

• • Tuition Assistance
    The Exchange is committed to investing in the growth and development of our associates through the Tuition Assistance Program, one of the many benefits offered to round out the Exchange’s Total Rewards package. Eligible regular full-time associates with at least one year of service can receive financial support to pursue approved educational opportunities that align with their personal development goals. As part of our continued investing in our workforce, the lifetime Tuition Assistance benefit was recently increased by $10,000, providing even greater support for associates pursuing certificates, undergraduate or graduate degrees. Associates who meet the eligibility requirements can complete the TA Application Form (1850-001), obtain the required leadership endorsements and submit their completed application to the Tuition Assistance mailbox (tuitionassistance@aafes.com) to begin the review process.

What this means for you

Whether you’re just stepping into a management role or already leading a complex operation, this roadmap is designed to make your next development steps clear. It reinforces the Exchange’s commitment to growing talent from within, supporting our mission of serving Warfighters and their families by building strong leaders in every store, restaurant and service location.

If you are interested in furthering your career, you are encouraged to communicate with your leadership team and your local HR Office. Pay band managers can schedule a career interview directly on the HR SharePoint.