128 Years of Family Serving Family: Deniz Barcala, Kleber Kaserne
One in a series honoring the Exchange’s 128 years of family serving family.
Who she is: Deniz Barcala, Military Clothing store and Wounded Heroes Service Center manager
Years with the Exchange: 24
What brought her to the Exchange: “My dad had a career as a retail store manager for over 40 years, and I wanted to pursue a career in the retail field as well. I applied to work with the Exchange in Turkey. I already had a very good background in English.
“I can remember my first day at the Exchange very well. It was 1999 in Incirlik, Turkey. It was full of unknowns. I was hired as a cashier in the BX. It was busy and I suddenly found myself alone at the register. Being from Turkey, I had only seen US dollar ‘paper money’ and now here were all these strange coins, and I had no idea of their worth. I learned quickly to differentiate between them. It was a crazy first day and today I can look back and laugh.”
What she did at first: Barcala began her Exchange career as a cashier in Incirlik, Turkey, in 1999. In 2002, she completed the Retail Management Academy program, which led to the management roles she filled at the Mannheim Exchange until 2011.
In 2011, Barcala became the Kleber Military Clothing store manager. The Kleber store is the top-performing Exchange Military Clothing store in the world. In January 2013, the store became a Wounded Heroes Service Center, providing uniforms, boots and other clothing essentials to wounded service members coming back from deployment. Service members are allowed to replace their uniforms here in a discreet, organized environment complete with wheelchair accessibility.
“We coordinate with the units present at Landstuhl hospital to provide uniform replenishments to injured warriors coming from battle,” Barcala said.
During her time in service at Kleber, Barcala has received 15 special recognitions, coins and awards from senior Exchange and military leaders.
Troops at the Wounded Heroes Service Center at the Kleber Kaserne Military Clothing store. Deniz Barcala has been the manager of the unique store since 2013.
Memorable moments: “One of the things I am most proud of in my career is being a part of the first and only Wounded Heroes Service Center at Kleber MCS.
“Our military community is dear to me and being able to do something special for those who gave so much for our country was very satisfying. We wanted a place where the soldiers could feel comfortable away from main sales floor. The center is equipped with a handicap ramp, changing rooms and bathroom facilities.
“Opening day was a very memorable experience. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was completed using military saber. There were several wounded warriors who witnessed and participated in this one-of-a-kind event. A huge cake was presented, and this was also cut by a saber. It was an experience I won’t forget.
“I am extremely proud to be part of opening our Wounded Heroes Service Center. Our facility has served over 18,000 Wounded Warriors throughout the years. It is a great honor to give back to those who gave so much to our country.
“We also had the honor to meet World War II Veteran Anthony Grant, who flew to Germany to pin the sergeant rank to his great-nephew Leonard Thomas.”
Family Serving Family: “I love working with the Exchange because we get to give back to the military. We have a unique mission as a Wounded Warrior Service Center to honor and empower Soldiers by providing clothing essentials to those wounded in battle. As a proud American, it’s great to give back to the military, especially when they have given so much to us.”
Deniz Barcala, left, with World War II Veteran Anthony Grant and Grant’s great-nephew, Leonard Thomas. Grant flew to Germany to pin the sergeant rank to Thomas. At right is Shift Manager Darla Maceachern.
