Base exchange
An exchange is a type of
Operations
Base exchanges sell consumer goods and services to authorized patrons such as active duty, reserve, national guard, retired members of the
Online base exchange shopping privileges were extended to all honorably discharged veterans beginning on November 11, 2017.
Limited base exchange privileges are extended to members of the
Shopping privileges are also generally extended in overseas locations to
Unlike
Exchanges are normally located on military reservations and, as a result, do not pay rent or tax for the use of land. Exchanges' tax-exempt status (as instrumentalities of the U.S. Government) also reduces certain operating expenses. While exchanges must pay for the cost of transporting goods within the contiguous United States, Congress appropriates funds to subsidize the transportation costs of American merchandise to overseas exchange locations so that such items are available and affordable to personnel stationed overseas.
Roughly 70% of the exchange earnings are paid to MWR programs. In the last ten years, more than $2.24 billion has been contributed by the exchange to the Army and Air Force to spend on quality of life improvements for Soldiers, Airmen and their families—Youth Services, Armed Forces Recreation Centers, arts and crafts, aquatic centers, post functions and golf courses.
Exchanges play an important role for U.S. military and federal government personnel assigned overseas as they are often the only local source for American retail merchandise, such as clothing, electronics, books and magazines, fast food, etc. Exchanges also supply gasoline at prices roughly approximating those in the U.S., normally on a rationed basis, to overseas personnel for personal use, since fuel prices in most foreign countries (where U.S. military are stationed) are normally much higher due to local taxes.[citation needed]
See also
- Army and Air Force Exchange Service
- Defense Commissary Agency
- Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes
- Navy Exchange
- Washington Navy Yard
References
- ^ "Department of Defense Extends Online Military Exchange Shopping Privileges to Veterans". U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). January 13, 2017. Retrieved August 16, 2017.
- ^ "Veterans Online Shopping Benefit". VetVerify.org. Retrieved August 16, 2017.