128 Years of Family Serving Family: Tyler Stampes, Kadena Exchange
One in a series honoring the Exchange’s 128 years of family serving family.
Who he is: Tyler Stampes, Kadena main store sales area manager
Years with the Exchange? Five
What brought him to the Exchange? “After my active-duty service in the Marine Corps, I went back home to Bakersfield, Calif., where I became a manager at a retail store. I wanted to pursue a career in the retail field and the Exchange allowed me to serve the military community and pursue my passion in retail.”
What he did at first: “My first job with the Exchange was in Outdoor Living and my responsibilities were to provide outstanding customer service by answering the customers questions and making sure that my department was well-stocked. I would also help other departments if needed.”
Memorable moment: “During the COVID pandemic, I remember my teammates and I would complete massive amounts of buy online, pick up in store orders from six U.S. Naval ships. To mitigate the spread of COVID, the Sailors were not allowed to leave the ship to replenish their supplies, to include hygiene products, even though they had been at sea for months. Knowing that I directly contributed to the morale and readiness of the Navy’s missions gave me such a tremendous feeling of selfless service.”
Military connection: “I served in the U.S. Marine Corps for five years on the Special Reaction Team as a marksman for the Military Police. Now, I am a staff sergeant in my sixth year in the Marine Corps Reserves as a security manager with III Marine Expeditionary Force on Okinawa.”
Exchange connection: “I normally used the Marine Corps Exchange but in 2014, I was introduced to Army & Air Force Exchange Service when I was stationed in Okinawa.”
Family serving family: “I remember whenever I had some of the worst days while deployed, seeing the AAFES logo gave me a small reminder of home and better days to come. Also, seeing that the Exchange associates were right there with us; they did their best to support us warfighters, like a family taking care of one another.”
