By Julie Mitchell, VP, AAFES marketing/customer engagement     October 2026

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) is reaffirming its commitment to collaborating with key stakeholders to protect and preserve Exchange benefits for all who served and have served.

Exchange Director/CEO Brad Bingham met with members of the Exchange Retiree Advisory Council, a group of key stakeholders that advocate for military community members’ hard-earned Quality-of-Life benefits, Sept. 9 in Washington, D.C. The council is comprised of 11 organizations focused on matters that affect active-duty service members; Guard members; Reservists; military retirees; veterans and family members.

The advisory council, established in 1997, now includes:

• Air & Space Forces Association
• Air Force Retiree Council
• Air Force Sergeants Association
• Army Retirement Services
• Army Chief of Staff’s Retired Soldier Council
• Association of the United States Army
• Military Officers Association of America
• National Military Family Association
• Non-Commissioned Officers Association
• Reserve Organization of America
• The Retired Enlisted Association

“The Exchange is more than a retailer—we are woven into the fabric of military life,” Bingham told council members. “We give back to the military community through dividends to the Services’ Quality-of-Life programs. We hire veterans, spouses and military family members. And ‘we go where you go,’ where other retailers can’t or won’t. Your members know how vital we are. We want to make sure you know the Exchange is still a great value.”

During the meeting, Bingham reiterated the Exchange’s priorities, including:

• Expanding MILITARY STAR card acceptance.
• Prioritizing military spouse and veteran hiring.
• Modernizing IT and data capabilities.
• Accelerating retail growth.
• Strengthening military clothing support.
• Optimizing the restaurant portfolio.
• Supporting the Army’s Flexible Eating and Expanded Dining (FEED) program.

Bingham also reminded the group that all honorably discharged veterans and service-connected disabled veterans can shop tax-free in-store and also at ShopMyExchange.com.

Council members appreciated the opportunity to connect in person with Bingham to learn about the Exchange’s vision for the future.

“It was great to hear about how hard AAFES is working on behalf of Soldiers and families,” said retired Lt. Col. Maria Bentinck, director, Army Retirement Services. “The Exchange is continuing to modernize and enhance support to the entire military community.”

Retired Sgt. Maj. Steve Minyard, director of programs for the Reserve Organization of America, applauded the Exchange’s strategic direction.

“We can take and help spread the message of everything AAFES is doing, including the opportunity for veterans to shop with the Exchange,” Minyard said. “Many reserve component members may not realize they are eligible for that benefit.”

Minyard also welcomed the Exchange’s commitment to hiring those connected to the military.

“I appreciate the emphasis on hiring,” he said. “I can tell our members, ‘This is a really good employer that will work well with your Guard and Reserve career.”