‘This Has Been an Incredible Journey’: McFarland Leaves a Legacy of Service

After joining the Army as an ordnance officer in 1995, Col. Scott McFarland has served in a variety of positions throughout his 26 years of military service. With three tours to Iraq and one to Afghanistan under his belt, joining the Army & Air Force Exchange Service in 2017 as the Exchange Europe/Southwest Asia commander has been one of the highlights of his career.

Col. Scott McFarland joined the Army & Air Force Exchange Service in 2017 as the Exchange Europe/Southwest Asia commander. During his four years as the region’s commander, McFarland has enjoyed being a part of the family-serving-family organization and his position as the military link between service members and Exchange associates.

“This has been an incredible journey,” said McFarland, who is retiring from the Army on November 30, 2021. “Being a part of such a great organization that truly believes in and understands what it means to serve those who serve—I couldn’t have asked for a better way to finish my last years in the Army.”

During his four years as the Exchange Europe/Southwest Asia commander, McFarland has enjoyed being a part of the family-serving-family organization and his position as the military link between service members and Exchange associates.

“Creating a seamless operation and strengthening the partnerships between customers, military leadership and Exchange executives has been very rewarding,” McFarland said. “The Exchange is that lifeline for the troops and their families. Time and again, I have seen our associates go above and beyond to make sure our troops and families receive the best service, along with a little taste of home.”

As the region’s commander, McFarland is responsible for about 4,000 associates in more than 25 countries across three continents, in 1,000 facilities, which support half a million customers.

“The Exchange’s mission of ‘We Go Where You Go’ couldn’t be truer for those associates serving our military overseas,” McFarland said. “The best part about this assignment is the people and team mentality. No matter which country I’m visiting, I meet so many great people and organizations. Whether we are working with the local nationals or service organizations, the Exchange becomes the hub of the military community.”

During his assignment as the Exchange Europe/Southwest Asia commander, McFarland oversaw Exchange support for rotating military training exercises such as Defender-Europe and Atlantic Resolve and deployments including Operation Inherent Resolve and the current drawdown in Afghanistan.

“The Exchange’s support to troops has to be fluid because the U.S. military forces’ missions are always changing,” McFarland said. “We are guests in these countries, but no matter where you are in the world, the Exchange is there and is committed to being a part of that mission.”

McFarland has racked up thousands of miles during the last four years as he visited grand openings and Exchange stores across the region—even meeting celebrities along the way. While most of it has been official travel for the Exchange, a good portion of his travel has also been with his family.

“Germany is a great tour for any service member who wants to travel there’s nothing else quite like it,” McFarland said. “Meeting Mark Wahlberg and Richard Petty was fun and I, along with my wife and daughter, have been able to soak up and experience a lot of the diverse cultures across Europe and Africa as well.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, McFarland saw the Exchange team’s care and commitment to Warfighters and military families grow even stronger.

“It’s not a job when you love what you do. The last four years of my military career working with the Exchange and telling the Exchange story has been an honor and a privilege,” he said. “This assignment allowed me to meet so many great people and I’ll cherish the terrific memories we built together.”