Whether customers are active duty, Reserve, Guard, retired or dependent, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service’s sole purpose is to serve them.
AAFES is dedicated to ensuring quality of life, just as it has been for the past 109 years. Customers’ quality of life is important.
AAFES also returns funds to the local community in the form of Morale, Welfare and Recreation dividends. In 2003 alone, AAFES returned more than $229 million to the services, more than $260 for each Soldier and Airman.
“We’re here to improve quality of life for our troops,” said Maj. Gen. Kathryn Frost, AAFES commander. “And if you believe that quality of life is key to readiness, I think you’d have to believe that AAFES has made a major contribution to U.S. operations.”
The motto, “We Go Where You Go,” is more than a slogan, it’s a way of life for AAFES associates. There are more than 6,400 facilities in more than 35 countries and all 50 states. Stores are located from Iraq and Afghanistan to Kyrgyzstan and the Horn of Africa – basically wherever servicemembers may end up.
AAFES employs a variety of checks and balances to keep prices low at locations around the world. If AAFES’ price difference is less than $5, just tell the cashier and they’ll adjust the price on the spot. If it’s more than $5, show an ad to the store manager and the price will be adjusted accordingly.
On top of that, if a customer buys an item and finds it advertised for less (whether at the exchange or a local retailer), AAFES will refund the difference when presented a receipt within 30 days of purchase.
Along with offering you the best price, AAFES also offers consistent worldwide pricing. “The price you pay for a candy bar in Iraq is the same price you’ll find at your stateside exchange,” said General Frost.