In brief:
- Works closely with SVP Stephanie Burns
- Plays key role in region with nearly 3,600 associates
- Memories of Exchange support during his career
SEMBACH, Germany — Col. Benjamin W. Stegmann believes that his first experience with an Exchange was probably when he was in training at Fort Rucker. But what really stirs memories is his first assignment as a platoon leader in Giebelstadt, Germany.
“I was a lieutenant fresh out of flight school, and although I grew to love Germany, I experienced a little homesickness at first,” Stegmann said. “I remember going to the PX in Wuerzburg, and you could buy Cracker Jack or Doritos. Whatever American thing you wanted, you could get it. I remember the value of that and how it made me feel, being so far away from the United States and finding that I could still get products I was familiar with.”
Nearly 25 years later, Stegmann is back in Germany, where he has been commander of the Exchange’s Europe, Southwest Asia and Africa Region since July. Working with region Senior Vice President Stephanie Burns, Stegmann plays a key role in keeping nearly 3,600 Exchange associates, operating more than 1,400 facilities across 25 countries on three continents, nested with evolving mission priorities across the region.
“Col. Stegmann has the experience to help us further elevate and extend the Exchange’s expeditionary support to deployed Warfighters,” Burns said. “He has deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq and brings extensive overseas and joint service experience to the position.”
Stegmann’s maternal grandfather served in World War II and the Korean War, but that was his most direct connection with the military until he decided to join the Army.
“I was not a military brat, but I knew from a young age that I wanted to serve,” he said. “I was especially interested in helicopters and still am. I knew I wanted to fly helicopters. And the only way to do that was to join the Army.”
Stegmann has particular memories of Exchange support during his deployments for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom..
“Being able to get your toiletries, deodorant, toothpaste over there is a force multiplier,” he said. “It makes a difference. And I definitely remember experiencing that in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
In his three months at the Exchange, Stegmann has been impressed with the scale of Exchange operations. But associates’ dedication to serving those who serve has made an even bigger impact.
“Everywhere I’ve gone, whether it was a bakery or a distribution center, or the main PX on Ramstein, I’ve come across associates who’d tell me, ‘I’ve been with AAFES for 37 years’ or ‘I’ve been with the Exchange for 28 years.’ This wasn’t some anomaly. Everywhere I went, there were so many teammates who have stayed with the Exchange for a really long time. I think that says everything you need to know about what kind of company AAFES is and what kind of leadership we have.”
Since beginning his Army career in Giebelstadt, Stegmann has served in numerous assignments, including company commander and staff director with the Eighth Army in Korea, military advisor to the State Department and U.S. NORTHCOM and NORAD special technical operations chief.
From 2019 to 2022, Stegmann was a military advisor at the U.S. State Department. During that time, he had an opportunity to collaborate with the Exchange.
“I was on the Germany desk and we had a bunch of shipping containers that, for one reason or another, German customs and European Union customs were holding up,” he said. “They were numerous. Some AAFES experts helped us and attended some of the same meetings that I attended with lawyers going over the SOFA [Status of Forces] agreement, trying to unstick all of this with the German authorities and get it into stores and into food courts. The State Department and the diplomats worked very closely with the Exchange during that time.”
Stegmann’s last duty assignment before the Exchange was in Korea, where he spent time with his counterpart in the Pacific, Col. Jason Beck.
“Col. Stegmann comes with a solid background of strong leadership, dedication to the mission and operating in some of the most challenging environments,” Beck said. “He’s going to be a great addition to the Exchange’s Europe, Southwest Asia and Africa Region team.”
After 24 years as an Exchange customer, Stegmann said he is excited about being at the Exchange.
“I am ready to connect with associates throughout the Europe, Southwest Asia and Africa region,” he said. “There is a lot that goes into making sure Exchange operations have the right stuff, at the right time and at the right place. As someone who has enjoyed a taste of home at an Exchange downrange, I am looking forward to sharing a firsthand account of the significant impact of this team’s work.”
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