Exchange enlisted advisor visits Cavalier

  • Published
  • By Lisa Heidinger & Capt. Jesse Diaz
CAVALIER AIR FORCE STATION, N.D. --  The senior enlisted advisor for the Army & Air Force Exchange Service visited Cavalier on April 18, 2012.

"Cavalier Air Force Station is the smallest installation I've ever visited" said Chief Master Sgt. Jeffry Helm.

Helm toured the Exchange, and met with Cavalier personnel and family members to address the challenges of serving a remote location.

His message was simple: AAFES is committed to having a presence at Cavalier AFS.

"We came away with a better understanding of AAFES' capabilities and renewed confidence in their support to those who 'Dominate the High Ground, Instant to Watchful Instant,'" said Lt. Col. Lorinda Frederick, Cavalier AFS commander.

Nancy Copada, AAFES general manager for Minot Air Force Base, N.D. and Grand Forks AFB, N.D., and Patricia Fields, store manager from GFAFB, accompanied Helm on the visit.

"For every dollar earned, 67 cents comes back to the military community from the MWR dividend. Shopping at the Exchange is a win-win," said Helm. "You get great products at a great price and your spent money comes back to the installation through the dividend.

"Part of my job as the senior enlisted advisor is to visit bases throughout the world and find out what Exchange can do to better to serve its customers and fix existing problems," he said.

"Also educating our customers on the Exchange benefit is the most important part of my job," Helm said. "Our goal is to be your number one choice for retail shopping. You can go anywhere to purchase an iPod or a TV, but when you buy from the Exchange, that's money going back to support our troops."

Helm added that the military clothing store is the only place where the troops can buy uniform items without mail ordering them, so it's important to "have what they need when they need it so they can be outfitted properly."

Helm is one of 72 active duty servicemembers assigned to the Exchange to carry out this mission; the Exchange also employs more than 43,000 civilian associates worldwide.

The Exchange is a joint military command with a retail mission to provide quality products services and food to servicemembers, their families, Reserve and Guard members, and military retirees. Exchange sales generate earnings to supplement Air Force Services programs as well as Army Morale Welfare and Recreation activities.

For more information about the Exchange and Exchange programs, visit www.shopmyexchange.com.