History
Throughout most of the Exchange’s history, troops could buy military uniforms in the main stores, but the Army and the Air Force also carried them in their own outlets. To cut costs and combine operations, the military turned operations of its clothing stores over to the Exchange. During March through May 1976, the Exchange assumed…
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Throughout its 125 years, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service has offered just about any kind of service customers wanted. During the 1950s, Exchange concessionaires at Fort Hood and Fort Huachuca operated horseback riding schools. The Exchange even provided a merry-go-round for military children at Harmon AFB in Newfoundland, Canada. At Fort Dix in…
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Throughout the Exchange’s history, main stores—post exchanges, base exchanges, PXs, BXs, whatever the troops called them—have changed from rudimentary tents and not-so-well-lit rooms to the most modern shopping malls that rival those in the private sector. Here is a sampling of what today’s main stores looked like years ago. Find more in the “PXs of…
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Never before in modern history have Exchange associates faced anything as ominous as the COVID-19 virus, but they remained committed to the well-being of shoppers and themselves. Beginning in March, they began wearing required facemasks. Headquarters associates began working from home. Customer service and sales points were disinfected regularly, while clear shields were installed at…
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Another week has come and gone, and it was another busy one in the Exchange Post as the 125th anniversary celebration continues for the Department of Defense’s largest retailer. This week, the Exchange Post spotlights history and associates who exemplify the core value of family serving family. It also was a big week for grand…
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On April 5, 1942, the first PX in Australia opened in Brisbane as hundreds of American Soldiers arrived during World War II. Tensions between Australian and American Soldiers began simmering almost immediately because the Americans made more money and wore better uniforms. Tensions boiled over on Nov. 26-27 with the Battle of Brisbane. The face-off…
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On Feb. 9, 2002, at Afghanistan’s Kandahar AB, associates Ralph Henderson, Billy Hullender and Larry Reimann opened the Exchange’s first store in that country: a hastily constructed tent. They welcomed a seemingly endless line of American Warfighters seeking personal hygiene items, snacks, drinks and anything that would remind them of home. By the time the…
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The Exchange welcomed home disabled Veterans, Purple Heart recipients and certain caregivers—4.1 million Americans— with in-store shopping privileges Jan. 1, 2020. Privileges expanded to all Veterans with service-connected disabilities; Purple Heart recipients; former prisoners of war; and certain caregivers. The extended privileges keep Veterans connected to military communities. Before the expansion, only Veterans with 100%…
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Almost as soon as the first Model T rolled off the assembly line in the early 20th century, exchanges have provided fuel, repairs and other vehicle services. In 2019, military motorists filled up their vehicles with 438 million gallons of fuel at our Express convenience stores and got repair services at 82 name-brand concessionaires from…
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Local exchanges appeared on postcards and matchbook covers, starting in the early 20th century and gaining in popularity during World War II. They featured pictures, including those of long-forgotten PXs from World War II and earlier versions of today’s Exchanges.
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