47,000 and Counting: Exchange Nears Hiring Goal for Veterans, Military Spouses
Kris Cubacub, assistant store manager at the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland BMT South Troop Store, has worked for the Exchange since 2013. Through the associate transfer program, he has moved twice with his wife, Air Force 1st Lt. Lauren Morales.
Kris Cubacub joined the Exchange in 2013, shortly after marrying Air Force 1st Lt. Lauren Morales. As her military assignments changed, Cubacub has moved with her and grown his career, thanks to the Exchange’s associate transfer program.
Cubacub, assistant store manager at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland BMT South Troop Store, is one of the 47,000 Veterans and military spouses the Exchange has hired since 2013.
As the Nation celebrates National Veterans and Military Families Month, the Exchange remains committed to providing careers for the military community as it closes in on its goal of hiring 50,000 Veterans and military spouses.
“As military spouses, we’re frequently transferring to different locations, and the Exchange has allowed me to maintain a leadership position through every move,” Cubacub said.
Today, approximately 85% of Exchange associates share a connection with the military.
“The Exchange recognizes how valuable our Veterans and military spouses are in carrying out its mission of serving the best customers in the world,” said Dr. Patrick Oldenburgh, senior vice president and chief Human Resources officer. “They have been on the frontlines in service to our Nation and have been welcomed home to the Exchange with a hiring preference.”
Hiring Veterans and military spouses is a quality-of-life force multiplier. The Exchange gives spouses first consideration for open positions, and the associate transfer program lets military spouses transfer to an Exchange when their family has a permanent change of station. For military families, an Exchange career means benefit retention, retirement opportunity and stability.
While Cubacub’s wife was stationed at Offutt Air Force Base and graduating from Officer Training School, the Exchange provided him with multiple opportunities. He has served as a customer service supervisor, PowerZone supervisor, hardlines department manager and services business manager at Offutt before transferring to the JBSA-Randolph Exchange in December 2019 and then Lackland in July.
“The Exchange has provided an opportunity to have a meaningful career with a mission that is second to none,” he said. “I am an example of the Exchange’s unyielding support for our Armed Forces and their families.”
