The Exchange at 125: Outfitting America’s Heroes

Throughout most of the Exchange’s history, troops could buy military uniforms in the main stores, but the Army and the Air Force also carried them in their own outlets.

Throughout most of the Exchange’s history, troops could buy military uniforms in the main stores, but the Army and the Air Force also carried them in their own outlets.

To cut costs and combine operations, the military turned operations of its clothing stores over to the Exchange. During March through May 1976, the Exchange assumed responsibility for Air Force military clothing stores, followed by the Army stores from October 1980 through July 1981.

In 2019, the Exchange provided 811,000 combat uniforms at cost. The Exchange is the official source for the Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU), which is rolling out this summer.