129 Years of Family Serving Family: Crystal Vowell, Fort Cavazos
One in a series honoring the Exchange’s 129 years of family serving family.
Who she is: Crystal Vowell, Services Business Technician, Fort Cavazos
Years with the Exchange: Three years. Vowell became an intermittent associate in October 2021 after visiting a hiring event. In November 2022, Vowell accepted a full-time position as a Services Business assistant. She later became a Services Business technician in April 2023.
Military connections: Vowell joined the Navy in 1999 as an aircrewman rescue swimmer. She reclassed as a sonar technician after a clavicle injury. She served for 10 years, ending her career in 2009.
Her husband also joined the Navy in 1999. He later enlisted in the Army in 2009 as an infantryman. He now serves as a company 1st sergeant for the 2nd Battalion, 7th U.S. Cavalry Regiment, a unit of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Cavazos.
How she came to the Exchange: During her service, Vowell knew the Navy Exchange Service, but she became familiar with Army & Air Force Exchange Service while working at the South Post Commissary on Fort Liberty.
What she likes about the Exchange: “I like all the opportunities I have here,” she said. “When I was a cashier, I knew there were opportunities if I wanted to explore and pursue them. My job has changed in that I’m not directly serving customers, but I am directly serving and helping small businesses. I’ve helped find 43 new short-term vendors in the mall between 2022 and the end of 2024 while maintaining a rotating cycle to keep things fresh and exciting in the PX.”
Challenges so far: “When I first started in Services, I had to learn an office setting very quickly, which I’ve never been in before. This is my first office-type job. I’ve had to learn office etiquette and how to work with other office employees while learning the role. I never realized how big Services was until I joined the office. … I’ve also had to take care of food trucks, short-term vendors and help with the long-term vendors with the service business manager and assistant service business manager.”
“A senior chief in the Navy told me, ‘You have to get uncomfortable to grow sometimes.’ I’ve felt that at times, but it has been so rewarding.”
Seeing success: “I’ve found this is something I’m really good at,” she said. “My vendors are very happy. I know each of their names. I can tell you a little bit about each one because we have good working communication with them.
“I recently brought a vendor on that sells beard oil. I first found him at a farmer’s market in Georgetown, Texas. I saw his product and I thought, ‘I don’t know how this would go on a military base. Everyone is cleanshaven.’ When I talked with him, I was just really open and honest. I said, ‘I’m not sure how your product will do, but if you’re willing to try, then I’m willing to try it with you.’ He’s on his third week now and he’s been well-received. The region VP even noticed his product on Black Friday and said, ‘Wow, that’s really different, Crystal.’”
Vowell also graduated from the Exchange’s Services Business Manager Academy, a three-month development course.
“It was done on LEX, and we met weekly on Teams. I was already doing some of these things as a technician. It was a lot of extra work on top of my regular job, but it was a highlight for me. It was something I didn’t think I’d see myself doing. My SBM (Services Business Manager) knew I could do it and encouraged me through the course. It opened me up to the possibility of becoming a services business manager and working in a higher position.”
Family serving family: “As a military spouse, I get a sense of comfort to know something within the Exchange could transfer with me wherever my spouse might get their next orders to. It gives me a little more peace of mind while moving. The Exchange family serves the best customers in the world, our service members and their families. As someone, who at their core, is an ‘acts of service’ type, it strikes home with me. There is nothing better to me than serving something larger than myself. It’s just one big family trying to help one another.”
Crystal, thanks for your service! Very inspiring!