WATERVLIET ARSENAL, N.Y. (March 2016) -- The Army & Air Force Exchange Service has deployed with U.S. troops since the late 1800s, and that sense of service is exactly what the Arsenal's new Exchange manager brings to the workforce.
Pamela Hammond arrived here last November from Scott Airforce Base in southwestern Illinois. During her 18 years in the Exchange Service, formally called AAFES, she has racked up a wealth of field experience, experience that she believes will make a difference here.
To put her experience into perspective, over the last 10 years the Arsenal has had a handful of managers with great experience prior to their arrival here, but none have had service in a combat zone, until now.
"Throughout my career, I truly believed that my job was to support the troops," Hammond said. "And what better way to live up to that belief than to deploy into a combat zone with them (troops) and so, I did."
Hammond had recently deployed to Qatar and Afghanistan, providing service directly to troops in combat. She explained that her overseas service was some of the most rewarding periods of her life.
"When Soldiers came back from a combat mission in Afghanistan, they were very appreciative for the support that we (the Exchange) provided them," Hammond said. "They gave me such a great feeling that what I was doing was truly making a difference in their lives."
Hammond says that sense of making a difference will be her mantel here as she leads the Arsenal's small Express store into a new era of relevancy.
Although the Arsenal's Exchange store is small in stature, it has some of the same challenges as larger Exchange stores face, such as increasing foot traffic.
"My main challenge is to transform the Arsenal store into a place where existing customers want to return and new customers become excited about checking us out," Hammond said. "And so, I am working on a business plan that will not only maximize our shelf space, but will also offer something new."
Increasing foot traffic should also be a priority for the Arsenal's leadership. Up to two-thirds of Exchange earnings are returned to the Arsenal's Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs. In fact, more than $12,400 was returned to the Arsenal last fiscal year.
For customers who need to grab a quick bite, the Express store offers on-the-go snacking and light meals. Snack Avenue is a special area inside the Express store specifically geared to customers looking for a quick meal or snack. Several new items, such as Monster drinks, Fiji water, bottled smoothies, and juices, are now available.
So, the next time you have an urge to shop at the Arsenal, you may want to try the Express store in Building 40-4. Not only will you get a great price, part of the earnings will also remain at the Arsenal.
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