When I introduce myself and tell others (outside of the military circle) I work for the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), not many people know about AAFES or their unique mission and patron.
One of the most frequently asked questions about AAFES is who is allowed to shop our Exchanges (commonly referred to as the BX/PX)?
Authorized Patrons
*Not all categories have unlimited authorizations, please see the expanded explanation of status available in: DODI 1330.21 Armed Services Exchange Regulations and Definitions.
Unlimited Exchange Privileges:
- Active Duty or Reserve Uniformed and Retired Uniformed personnel.
- Recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor.
- Honorably Discharged Veterans.
- Military Members of Foreign Nations.
- National Guard not in Federal Service.
- Red Cross Personnel.
- US Civilian DoD Employees.
- US Citizen Employees of Firms under contract to the Department of Defense.
- Wage marine personnel, including noncommissioned ship’s officers and crew members of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, NOAA.
- Retired Ship’s Officers and Crew members of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, NOAA.
- Family members of personnel listed above.
- Contract Surgeons.
- Non-DoD Federal Departments/Agencies.
- Dependents of members of the Armed Forces, Commissioned Officers of the Public Health Service, and Commissioned Officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, Separated for Dependent Abuse.
- United Services Organizations (USO).
- Delayed Entry Program Participants.
Limited Exchange Privileges: Limited Exchange Privileges generally exclude tobacco products, alcoholic beverages and military uniforms.
- US Government Civilian Employees and Full-time Paid Staff of the Red Cross.
- Armed Forces Exchange Employees.
- DoD Civilian Employees on Evacuation Orders.
- Family members of the personnel mentioned above.
- DoD Civilians on Temporary Duty status.
- Civilian Employees of the U.S. Government working on, but residing off, Military Installations.
- Uniformed and Non-Uniformed Personnel working in recognized welfare service organization offices within an Activity of the Military Service.
- Visitors to Military Installations.
- Contract Technical Services Personnel in travel status; Army, Navy, Air Force Academy Applicants.
- Foreign National Active Duty Officer and Enlisted Members, when visiting U.S. Military Installation for unofficial business.
- Service members in Civil Air Patrol in travel status and occupying Government quarters on a DoD Installation.
- Civil Air Patrol Cadets.
- Members of the Officer Reserve Training Corps and Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.
- Members of the Naval Sea Cadet Course.
- Coast Guard Auxiliary Members.
- Civilian Students and Faculty Members at Service Schools.
- Persons suffering from hardship.
- DoD Civilian Employees using Government-authorized vehicles for official business.
Only authorized patrons are entitled to exchange privileges, except when prohibited by treaty or other international agreements in foreign countries. For more information about authorized patrons, go to: DODI 1330.21 Armed Services Exchange Regulations and Definitions.
AAFES understands the military extended family wants to support their service members and loved ones. Although there are regulations authorizing patronage, certain items are available to purchase from AAFES for a military member.
AAFES Gift Cards may be sent to any recipient who has exchange privileges. These cards, available in values from $10-$500, are redeemable at any AAFES, Navy or Marine Corps exchange facility worldwide for most purchases of merchandise or services; they are not redeemable at Coast Guard Exchanges.
Exchange Catalog Gift Certificates may be sent to any recipient who has exchange privileges. These certificates, available in values from $25-$500, are redeemable at any military exchange facility worldwide (AAFES, NEXCOM, Marine Corps, Coast Guard Exchanges and the Exchange Catalog) for merchandise only.
Military Exchange Prepaid Calling Cards The Department of Defense Military Exchanges have been authorized to sell select prepaid calling cards to individuals and organizations who wish to purchase these cards for our troops serving overseas in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“Gifts from the Homefront” Certificates now allow you to send a gift certificate to a loved one, family member or dear friend associated with the military. These certificates are redeemable by Authorized Patrons of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), the Marine Corps Exchange (MCX), the Navy Exchange (NEX) and the Coast Guard Exchange. The certificates are redeemable at all locations around the world including deployed areas. If you’re looking for the perfect gift to give that special individual anytime and anywhere, then “Gifts from the Homefront” Certificates are the perfect choice.
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That is good AAFES is putting that information in a easy to reach( or in this case click and read) place.
I have always wonder on who everyone would be to be allowed in the Exchanges. I have know the basics from working in-store and with my talks with Matt Dromey and Brig. Gen. Hendricks.<If you could pass along a “congrats” to them that would be most appreciated…they know who I am.
Last, a question:
Is MCX and NEX owned by AAFES? Amazing that I work closely with the company and I don’t know that. I also believe others may wonder that same question also.
Ryan,
They definitely know who you are and I will pass along your congratulations! Thank you.
Excellent question! This is a topic we will be addressing in detail later in the month. No, MCX and NEX are not owned by AAFES. All are separate entities under the Department of Defense. However, we work together to provide the best quality of life for our military.
What is the difference between
“Non-DoD Federal Departments/Agencies”
and
“Civilian Employees of the U.S. Government working on, but residing off, Military Installations”
Al,
Non-DoD Fed Depts/Agencies: Refers to when it is determined by the local commanding officer that the desired supplies or services may not be conveniently obtained elsewhere and may be furnished without unduly impairing service to exchange patrons.
Civilian Employees of the US Government working on, but residing off of Military Installations: Refers to limited exchange privileges of all food and beverages sold at any exchanage food activity, if consumed on installation.
Wonderful, thank you
your listing is referring to authorized patrons in the us only right?
Wilson,
Primarily US, but please click on the link to DODI 1330.21 for more info regarding foreign military on US military installations and embassy patrons.
Just wondering, I am in the Navy Delayed Entry Program and have successfully shopped at the BX before but recently I was not allowed to shop at the BX. What should I do if even the manager is saying I am not eligible while the DODI 1330.21 says I am.
I am a US Army Corps of Engineers Employee. Am I authorized to shop at AAFES?
Yes, you are an authorized shopper.
I work for TSA Transportation Securty Administrtation – Do I have access and what are the limitations of purchases to AAFES or the Coast Guard Exchange?
At this time, TSA employees have not been granted shopping privileges.
Hello, in mid 1998-mid 1999, I was with the United Nations International Police Task Force in Bosnia under contract with the US Dept of State: I was able to shop at a US AAFES in Zagreb, Croatia.
Could I still shop at the AAFES on a AFB near my home, here in the US ?
I’m a Civilian Law Enforcemnt Officer
You’re overseas service allowed you to have shopping privileges while you were stationed in Bosnia. Unfortunately, state side civil servants are not on the list of eligible shoppers.
Question: Uniformed Federal Law Enforcement Officers working on a military installation – some of the more bored retirees are pressuring the base CO to restrict us from the BX while in uniform due to our carrying of a duty weapon. We are all military reservists with BX privileges. Does he have the authority to do this? We are authorized to carry a weapon on any federal installation.
I’m not aware of any overall restrictions along this line. Saying this, ultimately, the Installation Commander would be responsible for implementing such a policy to restrict Uniformed Federal Law Enforcement Officers from carrying a duty weapon while in uniform. The Commander provides force protection measures.
Good day,
I read the attached document (DODI 1330.21) and as you may have guessed, it left me asking the obvious quesion…WHO is qualified to shop at the Marine Corps Exchange / Navy Exchange? I read and re-read the attachment and unfortunatly, still came away with no real obvious answer. What would have sufficed would have been a YES / NO type answer sheet.
I am a DOD Employee (I work as an Administrative Assistant for the NROTC at the University of San Diego, CA). I am also an Honorably Discharged Veteran (12 years active duty, not retired or disabled).
Question #1: Are DOD Employees (and in my case, those who work for the NROTC) eligible for exchange privileges (especially base barber, uniform shop, commissary, exchange and base gas station).
I thought I’d check, especially regarding uniform shop (get my uniform ready for special functions such as Veteran’s Day Parades, Pearl Harbor Day, Memorial Day, etc). Commissary, exchange, barber and gas station are also of an interest.
Please advise by either my e-mail above or by sending a reply to pn2usn@yahoo.com.
Respectfully,
Chris Gulyas,
PN2, USN (former).
DoD employees do have privileges, but only while stationed outside the US. The document that I believe you are referring to was not created by AAFES but DoD.
My husband is a U.S. Citizen DoD Employee stationed in Stavanger, Norway at the NATO Base….when we were stationed at RAF Mildenhall, England and also prior to that in Spangdahlem, Germany, we were allowed to shop AAFES and Commissary at all bases overseas….for some reason there is a question here as to whether when we travel to those bases or even in Italy, whether we would be allowed to shop there….Please clear this up for us, as noone here really knows the answer and therefore it is presenting a problem for us….It would definitely be helpful if we were able to, as all we have here in Stavanger, Norway on the base is a Shoppette…..no clothes, etc….thank you for your response to this question and what do we need to get or do in order for this to be able to take place…..thank you……Linda
My wife interviewed for and received a job offer from US Army Corps of Eng. If she were to accept the job, would she have exchange privileges?
They are considered DoD Civilians and have unlimited privileges when stationed outside of the US. They have limited privileges when in the US, occupying government quarters on military installations with TDY orders–no uniform, alcohol or tobacco. If they are working in the US on a military installation but residing off, they are entitled to all food and beverages that can be consumed on post.