description

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) is a non-appropriated fund component of the Department of Defense, and our mission is to go where our troops are to improve their quality of life through the goods and services we provide. We have operated Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) facilities for our military and family members for almost 125 years. MWR is a network of support and leisure services designed for use by U.S. soldiers (active, Reserve, and Guard), their families, civilian employees, military retirees, and other eligible participants.

We operate Military School Lunch Program for Air Force and Army installations in nine countries overseas. We follow the same USDA guidelines as schools throughout the United States in providing meals to more than 4.2 million service member dependents. We support programs in 88 cafeterias for 102 schools on Army and Air Force installations throughout Europe and the Pacific. We are family serving family!

military culture

Since AAFES has partnerships on Army and Air Force military installations, our onboarding program is aligned to DoD, DOL, and OPM policies to easily integrate our veterans and non-military affiliated associates with the AAFES mission. AAFES customers are Veterans, active-duty military, and family members, giving us a unique perspective on military culture.

military spouse recruitment and hiring

AAFES has a dedicated applicant employment site for military spouses and family members, (https://publicaffairs-sme.com/applymyexchange/military-spouse-family-members/) – where applicants can find positions in various locations and complete the application at their own time.

AAFES also utilizes the Associate Transfer Program which is designed to help military spouses continue their employment with AAFES by activity trying to place military spouses in a new position when their military member is transferred. AAFES also attends career fairs and events for the Military Spouse Employment Partnership and Military Spouse Groups to support not only military spouses but veterans, and their families as well.

retention support

We offer a retention support program for all military connected employees regardless of the sub groups people may belong to

orientation training and onboarding

• New Employee Orientation
• New Employee Training
• On-boarding program
• Other

military connected assistance

The Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) is the Department of Defense’s largest military retailer, employing over 34,000 associates. AAFES continues to build on its long history of supporting the military community, by providing employment opportunities globally through targeted hiring of military spouses. In the overseas environment, we are one of a few available components to provide employment opportunities for military spouses.

AAFES utilizes a multitude of programs and partnerships, such as the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP), Military Spouse Preference and Associate Transfer Programs to provide initial or continued career opportunities. In the last five years, AAFES has hired 24,925 military spouses. Military spouses represent more than 22% of the AAFES workforce. AAFES participates in multiple events located on or near Army and Air Force installations worldwide and within virtual groups to share information about career opportunities.

AAFES reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to providing employment opportunities to the military community with the announcement of a corporate hiring goal of 50K Veterans and Military Spouses by 2020. As of 18 Dec 2019, AAFES has hired more than 43,540 veterans and military spouses as part of this hiring commitment.

civilian credential support

We offer tuition assistance or other financial support toward the preparation, attainment, and/or maintaining of an academic or professional certificate, degree, or another civilian credential,We offer apprenticeships, internships, or other formalized, structured training program/s to assist with the attainment of a civilian credential,OtherTraining and Development opportunities are available to all associates. Training begins on your first day with the Exchange, regardless of the job. AAFES has a robust onboarding program designed to make the organization and employees thrive. Learning occurs on the job, and in a variety of venues. Depending on the job, associates may have a formalized job-training-plan or curriculum designed to ensure they know the specifics of their position.

If associates are working in a technical area of the store, where product knowledge is crucial to their success, they will have the opportunity to take advantage of industry-led product knowledge training. We want all our associates to be successful, so a variety of product training opportunities are available.

As associate development progresses, they can take advantage of learning opportunities via teleconference, virtual training, or the classroom. More advanced training on strategy and critical thinking skills may be available to associates through our Employee Development Program or other Leadership Programs.The Exchange offers the Veteran Retail Management Program, internships and other training programs geared toward employing current and veteran service members.

senior leadership

Tom Shull, Exchange Director/CEO exercises full and complete responsibility for the strategic direction, management, and technical control of all Exchange programs.


Leigh Roop, EVP & Chief Human Resources Officer provides vision and leadership for developing and implementing worldwide HR programs, policies, and procedures that support the needs of the business and are in alignment with the Exchange missions and strategic objectives.