The Army & Air Force Exchange Service will continue operations in the event of a U.S. Government shutdown on Oct. 1.
The Exchange will be largely unaffected by the shutdown as it is a non-appropriated instrumentality. Nearly 97 percent of its funding is generated by sales and less than three percent of its budget comes from tax dollar support.
"Some transactions may be delayed, such as the purchase of firearms which require background checks or other federal government actions but, for the most part, it will be business as usual at the Exchange," said the Exchange's Chief of Staff Col. Tom Ockenfels.
As a matter of course, the Department of Defense plans for contingencies. In fact, since 1980, all agencies have had a plan in case of government shutdown, and these plans are updated routinely.
"The Exchange will do everything we have to do to continue to support the Soldiers, Airmen, retirees and their families, both home and abroad," Ockenfels said.
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