The Exchange Information

Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service has gone where Warfighters and their families go to provide quality, tax-free merchandise and services military communities need – regardless of location, risk or challenge. The Exchange supports Warfighters at the tip of the spear, bringing necessities and a taste of home to remote locations and war zones where traditional retailers can't operate. Wherever our troops are, the Exchange is there: Since 9/11, more than 5,026 Exchange associates have deployed to serve in conflict situations. As the Department of War's largest retailer, the Exchange offers this tax-free shopping benefit to 30 million eligible active-duty military; retirees; military family members; National Guard members; Reservists; Purple Heart recipients; former prisoners of war; Veterans with service-connected disabilities; caregivers of eligible disabled Veterans designated by the Department of Veterans Affairs as primary family caregivers; non-disabled, honorably discharged Veterans (online only); authorized Public Health Service associates; authorized National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration associates; Coast Guard members; and DoW and Coast Guard civilian employees who hold Common Access Cards (DoW and Coast Guard civilian retirees have online-only privileges). The Exchange is a major employer of military families, with 80% of Exchange associates connected to the military. Approximately 45% of the Exchange's U.S. workforce comprises Veterans, military spouses and dependents. The Exchange gives active-duty military spouses first consideration for open positions, and the continuity program lets military spouses transfer to an Exchange when their family has a permanent change of station. For military families, an Exchange career means benefit retention, retirement opportunities and stability. Exchange operates over 5,500 facilities nationwide and in more than 30 countries.