AAFES senior enlisted advisor visits Team Offutt

  • Published
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  The senior enlisted advisor for the Army & Air Force Exchange Service visited Team Offutt June 21-24.

During his visit, Chief Master Sgt. Jeffry Helm met with base community members and leadership, toured Exchange facilities, met with employees, and addressed Exchange related issues.

"I think it is very proactive for him to come out to the Offutt Exchange to see if things are running smoothly," said Mike Kegley, store associate here. "He was very informative, knowledgeable and easy to talk to. It was great to have him here on site talking to him face to face and telling him about our concerns."

The Exchange is a joint military command with a retail mission that is twofold, providing quality products and services to Airmen and Soldiers, reserve and National Guard members, military retirees, and their families, all while generating earnings to supplement Air Force Services programs and services activities.

Chief Helm is one of 72 active-duty servicemembers assigned to Exchange headquarters in Dallas to carry out this mission, which employs approximately 44,000 civilian associates world-wide.

"For every dollar earned, 67 cents comes back to the military community from the morale, welfare and recreation dividend. Last year, Offutt Air Force Base got more than $500,000, so shopping at the Exchange is a win-win," said Chief Helm. "You get great products at a great price and the money you spend comes back to the installation through the dividend."

During his visit, Chief Helm met with Offutt Exchange associates and toured facilities.

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

As part of his fact-finding tour he also met with Airmen at the First-Term Airman Center to address their questions and concerns.

"I had questions about the store selection in the Base Exchange and was wondering if there could be a more diverse selection of shops available," said Airman 1st Class Jeremiah Skilton, 55th Intelligence Support Squadron. "I feel that all my concerns were addressed, Chief Helm was very informative and answered all of my questions."

"Educating our customers on the Exchange benefit is the most important part of my job," said Chief Helm. "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."

"More importantly, clothing sales is the only place troops can buy uniform items on base without mail ordering them, making it our goal to have what they need, when they need it, so they can be outfitted properly," he added.

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