Exchanges Support Incoming Trainees During Pandemic

Fort Leonard Wood Exchange associates assemble hygiene kits for new Army recruits, who are spending two weeks under observation in temporary barracks before starting basic training.

Exchanges at Fort Leonard Wood and Fort Sill are supporting new recruits with personal hygiene essentials as they wait to start basic training amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Exchange associates are working around the clock to produce care packages stuffed with personal hygiene essentials for the trainees, who are being held under observation for 14 days as a precautionary measure during the pandemic.

“These young men and women come from varying backgrounds and varying circumstances. Some show up with everything they need to start their Army careers, while others are lacking,” said Fort Leonard Wood Exchange General Manager Beth Pritchard. “We hope this sends the message to recruits here that their Exchange is and always will be here to support them.”

The roots of the program go back to early 2019, when Fort Sill troop store associates started preparing large duffel bags packed with hygiene supplies for new recruits. The 434th Field Artillery Brigade asked the store to start preparing the bags to cut down on the amount of time trainees spend picking out supplies when they first arrive for training.

The program took on new importance, however, with the onset of the pandemic and the trainees’ new 14-day observation requirement. The bags now contain additional supplies to get recruits through the observation period and are picked up by drill sergeants instead of trainees themselves. The team, led by Fort Sill Troop Store Manager Amanda Frickie, has produced about 1,800 care packages since April 23. With an additional 2,000 recruits expected in June and July, the pace shows no signs of slowing down.

“Trying to get product in when it’s not allocated can be a little challenging, but the team has done an excellent job managing and making sure there are plenty of supplies for the recruits,” said Fort Sill General Manager Don Walter.

At Fort Leonard Wood, troop store associates are assembling kits with enough soap, shaving cream, laundry detergent, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, deodorant and razors to last trainees two weeks, plus a pair of shower shoes. The program was requested by the 43rd Adjutant General Reception Battalion and launched in April with advice and input from Fort Sill. To date, the store’s 10-person assembly team has produced about 7,600 hygiene kits.

“When we started this, both us and the reception center thought this would just be for a couple weeks to get us through an emergency, but with operations returning to normal now, it’s still growing,” Pritchard said. “We’ve had to move the assembly operation out of the troop store and into the furniture stockroom, and we’ve reassigned some people from the furniture and Military Clothing stores to help keep up with demand.”

Pritchard said she is now working with the battalion to extend the program to Sept. 30. Her team assembles about 11 bags per minute.

“Normally, we’re one of the recruits’ first stops when they arrive on post,” Pritchard said. “This team takes a lot of pride in making that first connection with them. They always smile, because ours is going to be the last friendly face they’ll see for eight weeks. That whole process has been delayed by 14 days, but our team is putting that exact same energy and care into making these hygiene kits to make sure they know we care.”