New benefit for veterans will prove secure, easy to use online
By Laurie Wilson/Sept. 21, 2017
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The Army and Air Force Exchange Service will extend online shopping privileges to veterans Nov. 11, directly impacting the future purchasing power of veterans here in Colorado Springs and nationwide.
This is a new benefit for all honorably discharged veterans, achieved after four years of coordination with AAFES, the Departments of Defense, Army, Air Force and other federal agencies.
“It’s a great way to recognize our vets’ service and link them back up with the military community while they get great products at great prices,“ 10th Mission Support Group commander Col. David Kinkaid said. “I hope vets are excited about this and use it because it’s a great benefit to them.”
Realizing that online security and identity protection could be significant concerns for some veterans, AAFES has worked to assure their privacy will be protected.
“All Exchange internet-facing web applications have undergone a rigorous security review and an exhaustive third party penetration test,“ AAFES’s Executive Group Public Relations Manager Chris Ward said. “Internet security is only part of the Exchange’s overarching security program that protects headquarters, stores and online presence.”
Ward said the Exchange’s active defense employs several industry-leading detection, prevention and encryption technologies to ensure customer data is fully protected. He said that veterans should feel confident when doing business online with the Exchange.
To be able to use the benefit, veterans must first log onto VetVerify.org, to confirm their records in DoD’s Defense Manpower Data Center and verify their ability to access the exchange sites. If their record criterion passes, they will then be approved to shop online. If a veteran’s input is incomplete, VetVerify.org will provide further guidance on any needed next steps.
Once verified, Veterans can log onto the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy Exchange websites at shopmyexchange.com, shopcgx.com, mymcx.com and mynavyexchange.com beginning Nov. 11 for tax-free shopping.
This benefit is restricted to online shopping only unless one already has access and permission to utilize base exchanges.
According to AAFES media office, this veteran’s online shopping benefit will strengthen AAFES’ online business to better serve current shoppers.
AAFES Director/CEO Tom Shull initiated the idea of the expanded benefit in response to his long-held desire to recognize Vietnam veterans he felt were not sufficiently welcomed home historically, as well as improve the benefits of all honorably discharged veterans.