COVID-19 Heroes: Deployed Associates from IT, RE and HR Step Up to Run Stores in Kuwait
“In bad times, people band together to make the best of things,” said Amanda Smith, a computer technician working as a cashier.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, associates deployed to Kuwait are taking on extra duties to serve those who serve.
These associates have stepped in as more than 200 of the Exchange’s other-country nationals (OCNs) are unable to get to their jobs in the stores because Army and Air Force installations are locked down because of the pandemic.
Nearly 50 associates from the United States and Europe are taking on the jobs of the OCNs and continuing to perform their own duties.
They represent the HR, IT, Logistics and RE teams. FA and Loss Prevention associates have assisted in the recent past.
About 30% of the OCNs live on the installations and can continue working.
“Bottom line is that with 70% of the workforce unavailable, all parties had to step up and assist with running the stores,” said Phil Tinsley, the Exchange’s region vice president over Kuwait. “They’re doing everything from janitorial work to operating cash registers.”
RE’s Elias Sanchez and Services Business Manager Clay Tsehaye work as couriers, going from installation to installation.
At Camp Arifjan, computer technician Amanda Smith stocks shelves for three hours before the store opens and runs the cash register for seven hours a day, six days a week.
“In bad times, people band together to make the best of things,” said Smith, who deployed from Fort Bragg. “Interacting with customers and thanking them for what they’re doing while knowing that we are providing them small comforts of home means a lot to me.”
Michael Greenwalt, assistant manager in RE’s Facilities Management Office, said his first challenge at Camp Arifjan was learning to use a cash register. He also serves as courier, unloads trucks, stocks shelves, sweeps floors, and makes pizza at the Hunt Brothers restaurant
“Some of the work, like being a cashier, is physically and mentally challenging,” said Greenwalt, who deployed from Fort Sill. “It’s hard to appreciate someone standing still at a register for hours on end until you actually do it and your first night back at your room, you wonder why your legs hurt so much.”
