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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
In addition to their regular shifts at their Exchanges, nearly 150 associates from throughout Washington, D.C., worked at a mobile field exchange on the Pentagon grounds after the 9/11 terror attacks. They served more than…
1954 Then-Vice President Richard Nixon visited the Nouasseur AB Exchange in Morocco. 1959 Comedian George Gobel sampled food from a mobile exchange at McClellan AFB, Calif. 1972 Comedian Bob Hope met shoppers at Japan’s Yokota…
