Exchange Military Brats
Linda Bailey
HQ / IT-Gov Intrusion Detection & Prevention Information Technology
You are requesting Military Brat to write to guys, well that’s me.
As a military brat my favorite place to go was the Shoppette. I had great memories of running there after school to get a snack. Then when I graduated from high school, went to college & married. I had no idea I would soon be employed by the exchange as Military Spouse, this year is my 25th year with the company.
It’s been a blessing to have the Exchange in my life, which has filled me with wonderful memories from my childhood to present time.
My son has been able to experience life as a Military Brat. He has great stories that involve the Exchange. As a college student it is still first choice to shop. He was very blessed to receive an AREA Scholarship last year for $3,000.00.
Tawana Jones
Administrative Tech I HQ AAFES SF Directorate
Thanks for giving the military child a voice in next month’s newsletter. My father was a soldier stationed at Fort Lee Virginia when I got my first job with AAFES in the late 80’s. I started in the theatre and I have worked off and on in many different types of jobs, categories and locations. I truly believe that every position in The Exchange is an opportunity to give back to the military and a chance to have a career.
I was given an opportunity to make a difference at Fort Lee, Fort Benning, Fort Polk, Fort Jackson, Fort Hood, WADC and now HQ’s. Some of the positions I held were Store Assoc, Shift Spvr, Warehouse Worker, Laborer (stocker), Ofc Asst, Logistics Asst, Learn Facilitator, Human Rscs Asst and currently Admin Tech I.
I love to travel and I have visited many other military locations as the wife, sister and friend of soldiers. What I really enjoy about The Exchange is that no matter what location I am visiting they always feels like home to me. The stores are clean, I find good deals and I love to see what Services has to offer. When talking with the associates I can always find someone that has been there 20+ years or someone that is extremely kind and helpful. The pearls of wisdom I have obtained are priceless. I like to ask associates what they are most thankful for and what types of challenges they have overcome. I have learned so much about history, the organization or just life in general from people that have seen change, overcome challenges and withstood adversity.
I am very thankful and have seen with my own eyes the hard work, commitment and dedication of Exchange Associates. I have also understood the sacrifice, loyalty and strength of the soldiers. I am proud to be a part of an organization that has pledged to go where their customers go. What I have learned about working with different personalities, cultures and ethnicities is that sometime “Different” is good.
Ana Middleton
President/CMO Exchange
I am a “product of this environment” we so passionately serve. As the daughter of an Air Force CMSGT, I love our mission and truly embrace our core value of Family Serving Family. When a customer writes in complaining about an online order that somehow missed the mark or bad customer service in our stores – I take that personally – because we never want to let a fellow family member down. With over 80% of our associates connected to the Military either as prior service members or family members we all are a product of the community we serve. Family Serving Family is much more than words – it is a commitment to a higher level of service – it is a promise to ‘be there’ wherever the mission takes our customer. “Military brat” is a title I wear with pride. Once a brat, always a brat!
Left to right, Wendy Six, Sydney Betancou, Sueann York, Stephanie Cooper, Tammar Tracey
Wendy Six
Randolph Exchange Sales and Merchandise Manager
My father joined the Air Force in 1967. My brother joined the Air Force in 1989. I joined AAFES in 2001. My father retired in 1992 with 22 ½ years of service with the last 9 of those years being stationed at Randolph AFB. My brother retired from the Air Force in 2011 with 25 years of service with his last duty station Spokane, WA and my uncle retired from the Air Force in 2010 with 30 years of service with his last duty station Cannon AFB, NM. Being a part of the military family meant moving around all the time, meeting new friends and learning new places and cultures.
My father was first assigned to Clark AFB, Philippines which I spent my first 4 years. I learnt the dialect and speak fluently to translate for my father when we went shopping alone. I also remember Clark base closed down because I left the school with some friends and my parents came to pick me up from school and I was not there. I thought, at age 4, I was going to jail.
All I have known is military life, so when I had to give up my dependent ID at age 27 I was searching for a way to be part of the military again. When searching for a career I remembered as a child, my mother worked for AAFES when we were stationed at Tinker AFB, OK in 1979 and again when we moved to Randolph AFB, TX in 1983 which gave me the idea to also work for AAFES.
With my 15 years in AAFES, starting as a CT at Randolph AFB, TX, then moving to Ft. Leonardwood, MO, deploying to Iraq, coming back to SA to Ft. Sam, TX, FE Warren, WY, Anderson AFB, GU, Tinker AFB, OK and back to Randolph AFB, TX I too had been able to travel to places in which my father, brother or uncle have never been. I have had the opportunity to go back to Tinker AFB, OK as an Operation Manager which brought back memories of growing up there and I am now currently a Sales and Merchandise Manager at Randolph AFB, TX which is the base I went to elementary school and graduated high school. I am proud to have a father, brother and uncle who have served in the military and I am proud to serve the military community which has given us the opportunity to feel protected.
Stephanie Cooper:
Randolph Exchange Office Assistant
My experience as a military brat was watching my friends move away and making new friends while living in a military community near Randolph AFB. Watching my mom hold down the home front for 23 years while my dad did his service to the Air Force made a great impression on me. There were times when my dad had to go on TDY’s where he couldn’t tell us where he was going. She made sure the house was taken care of. My dad did two terms in Vietnam with mom still the strong one at home for me.
My parents went thru a lot with the fact that they made the decision to keep the local area as home base and he would be the one doing the moving. I think the experience made a stronger bond with my mom and why I am such a strong person. I am very proud to be a military Brat.
Sueann York
Randolph Exchange Main Store ICA
As a Military Brat, I had the wonderful privilege of traveling the US and Europe and meet so many people, experience different lifestyles and create many wonderful memories of what the world has to offer.
I remember the Exchange being a big part of my life and shopping overseas wherever there was a BX or PX. I am a product of the DOD school system at Lackland AFB, Germany and finally graduating in RAF Woodbridge, England.
It has shaped me into the person I am today. Sometimes I wonder if everyone could have these experiences we would be more loving and tolerant of each other.
Tammar Tracey
Randolph Store Manager
I am the daughter of an Air Force retired military member who retired after 27 years of service. While we did not have to contend with deployments, my father did have frequent TDY’s.
From 8 PCS moves before high school graduation, to living in the safety and security of base housing, getting all our new clothes each year for school from the BX, not realizing at the time but learning about diversity,
to making friendships and visiting different countries, all are great memories imbedded in my spirit. I am proud and appreciate to have been a Military Brat. Some bases are now closed, but the memories will always a
part of me.
Sydney Betancou
Randolph Exchange Customer Service Associate
Four things I like about being a Military Brat?
Traveling, learning different cultures and languages, food, and meeting new people.
