Authorized Patrons

About Exchange

Unlimited Privileges

  • Active Duty or Reserve Uniformed and Retired Uniformed personnel.
  • Recipients of the Medal of Honor.
  • Honorably Discharged Veterans when certified 100% disabled.
  • Military Members of Foreign Nations when on duty with U.S. Military Service.
  • National Guard not in Federal Service.
  • Red Cross Personnel who are U.S. citizens, assigned outside the U.S. with the Military Service.
  • U.S. Civilian DoD Employees when stationed outside the U.S.
  • U.S. Citizen Employees of Firms under contract to the Department of Defense when employed outside the U.S.
  • Military Transition Personnel.
  • Retired Ship’s Officers and Crew members of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, NOAA.
  • Ship’s Officers and Crew members of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, NOAA.
  • Dependent family members of personnel listed above.
  • Contract Surgeons.
  • Non-DoD Federal Departments/Agencies as determined by local commanding officer.
  • Dependents of members of the armed forces, commissioned officers of the Public Health Service or commissioned officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association who have been separated for dependent abuse.

Limited Privileges

Limited Exchange Privileges generally exclude tobacco products, alcoholic beverages and military uniforms.

  • Honorably discharged Veterans can shop online at shopmyexchange.com. The Veterans online shopping benefit does not grant on-installation access. For more information about this benefit, please check out our Veterans page.
  • U.S. Government Civilian Employees and Full-time Paid Staff of the Red Cross who reside on military installations within the U.S. or Puerto Rico.*
  • Armed Forces Exchange Employees.*
  • DoD Civilian Employees on Evacuation Orders.*
  • DoD Civilians on Temporary Duty status when occupying Government quarters in the U.S.
  • DoD and Coast Guard appropriated fund and nonappropriated fund civilian employees.
  • Uniformed and Non-Uniformed Personnel working in recognized welfare service organization offices within an Activity of the Military Service are authorized to purchase all food and beverages sold at exchange locations, if consumed on post.
  • Visitors to Military installations are authorized to purchase all food and beverages sold at exchange locations, if consumed on post.
  • Contract Technical Services Personnel in travel status; Army, Navy, Air Force Academy Applicants when occupying Government quarters in the U.S.
  • Foreign National Active Duty Officer and Enlisted Members, when visiting U.S. Military Installation for unofficial business. Merchandise is restricted to quantities required for personal use.
  • Service members in Civil Air Patrol in travel status and occupying Government quarters on a DoD Installation may purchase uniform items when Civil Air Patrol membership card is shown.
  • Civil Air Patrol Cadets may purchase uniform items when Civil Air Patrol membership card is shown and all food and beverages sold at exchange locations, if consumed on post.
  • Members of the Officer Reserve Training Corps and Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps when visiting installations under orders as part of a Service orientation program.
  • Members of the Naval Sea Cadets attending two week training course, if occupying Government quarters on a Military installation.
  • Coast Guard Auxiliary Members.
  • Civilian Students and Faculty Members at Service Schools may purchase books, supplies and materials related to the educational process, only at exchange facilities that support the school.
  • Hardship – Persons who are “stranded on an installation” may purchase small quantities of gasoline, oil, other automotive items, or items necessary for an individual’s health.
  • DoD Civilian Employees using Government-authorized vehicles for official business may purchase gasoline for those vehicles.

(*includes family members of authorized personnel)

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.

Europe Privileges

  • Exchange privileges in overseas areas are not automatic.
  • Overseas commanders, in accordance with the host country’s / U.S. international agreements determine who will be extended shopping privileges and access to duty free goods.
  • The Exchange does not determine shopping privileges / access to duty free goods.

Command Regulations that Govern Overseas Shopping Privileges

CATEGORY
Active Duty U.S. Military, DoD Civilians & dependents
Retired U.S. Military & Dependents
STATUS
Assigned or TDY to specific country
(See Note 1)
On leave from another country / area
Visiting from U.S.
Residing in specific county
Belgium YES NO NO (See Note 2)
Germany YES (See Note 3) (See Note 4) (See Note 4)
Greece YES (See Note 5) NO (See Note 6)
Italy YES (See Note 7) (See Note 8) (See Note 8)
Netherlands YES NO NO NO
Norway YES NO NO (See Note 9)
Saudi Arabia YES NO NO NO
Spain YES NO NO NO
Turkey YES NO NO NO
United Kingdom YES NO NO (See Note 10)

Notes

  1. Personnel from outside the NATO area who are on TDY for less than 30 days have their TDY orders stamped by the local billeting office for entry to commissary and exchange facilities and to purchase rationed items. These personnel who are on TDY for 30 days or more must obtain a ration card for entry to the facilities in Greece, Turkey, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, and to purchase rationed items in all countries. Member of the reserve components must be on active duty for training (ADT) status for entry to commissaries and exchanges.
  2. Privileges may be granted on a case-by-case basis by the Commander, NATO / SHAPE Support Group, in coordination with the US Ambassador to Belgium. (Authority: CINCUSAREUR / ADAGX Letter, 19 November 1981)
  3. Only personnel stationed in Europe and North Africa.
  4. Must be ordinarily resident or be visiting in Germany for a period of 30 days or more. Rationed items may not be purchased. All purchases are subject to the payment of a fixed rate tax to German customs. Entry to commissary and exchange facilities requires DD Form 2AF (Retired) or DD Form 1173, and a German Customs Certificate. (Authority: German Federal Ministry of Finance Decree, 20 July 1981; USAFER 400-4; and USAFE Supplement 1 to AFR 415-15). Also, see USAREUR 600-700 Chapter 13.
  5. Only personnel stationed in the NATO are. Personnel may not purchase controlled items (e.g. electronic and other expensive items.
  6. Must be ordinarily resident of Greece.
  7. Personnel stationed in the NATO area may purchase rationed items. Personnel stationed outside the NATO area may not purchase rationed items (Authority: 40 TACG / JA Message 281330z Sep 87)
  8. May purchase non-rationed items only.
  9. Must be ordinarily resident in Norway. Rationed items may not be purchased. All purchases are subject to the prepayment of a fixed rate tax to Norwegian customs authorities. Access to the facilities requires presentation of a valid ID card and Military Retirees’ Limited Privilege Card. (Authority: US-Norway Memorandum of Understanding, 12 September 1985).
  10. Must be ordinary resident in the United Kingdom. Rationed items may not be purchased. All purchases are subject to the prepayment of a fixed rate tax to British customs authorities. Access to the facilities requires USAFE Form 174a. (Authority: 3AF-HM Customs & Excise Memorandum of Understanding, 28 March 1983, and 3AF Regulation 34-1)

PACRIM Privileges

  • Exchange privileges in overseas areas are not automatic.
  • Overseas commanders, in accordance with the host country’s / U.S. international agreements determine who will be extended shopping privileges and access to duty free goods.
  • The Exchange does not determine shopping privileges / access to duty free goods.
  • Specific questions may be directed to the overseas command at the addresses listed at the end of this document.

Command Regulations that Govern Overseas Shopping Privileges

CATEGORY
Active Duty U.S. Military, DoD Civilians & dependents
Retired U.S. Military
& Dependents
STATUS
Assigned or TDY to
specific country
On leave from
another country
Residing or Visiting
Guam YES YES YES
Korea  YES (Note 1) YES (Note 2) YES (Note 3)
Japan / Okinawa YES (Note 4,5,7) YES (Note 4,5,6,7) YES (Note 8)


Notes
  1. Ration Control limits apply for dependents on TDY status.
  2. Accompanied dependents are authorized. Unaccompanied dependents are not authorized unless have EML orders, active duty dependents only.
  3. Must be receiving full retirement pay and benefits or 100% disabled. Dependents residing or visiting with sponsor are authorized. Dependents residing or visiting without sponsor are not authorized.
  4. A reservist must be on active duty (orders). Dependents of reservists are authorized only when the reservist is assigned to active duty.
  5. Military family members are authorized only when the service member is assigned to Japan or present in country.
  6. DoD civilians on leave NOT authorized.
  7. DoD civilian dependents NOT authorized unless sponsor is assigned to Japan or physically in country on TDY orders.
  8. Retiree family members are authorized entry into the store when accompanied by retired service member. However, purchases are limited to those made by the retired service member.

For Further Assistance

Guam

36th MSS / MPF
Customer Service
Unit 14001
APO AP 96543-4001
366-2276

Korea

USFK, J-1
Data Management (DM)
Unit 15237
APO AP 96205-0010
Telephone 723-7514
E-mail robertsn@korea.army.mil

Japan/Okinawa

Misawa

Air Force Commander
Misawa 35th Support Group / CC
Air Base Unit 3517
APO AP 96319-5017
Telephone 226-9242

Yokota

Air Force Support Group Commander
Yokota Unit 5230
Air Base 374th SPTG / CC
APO AP 96328
E-mail 374sptg.cc@yokota.af.mil
Telephone 225-9913

Japan Army Facilities

Army Garrison Commander
U.S. Army Garrison, Japan
Unit 45006
APO AP 96343-5006

Kadena

Air Force Department of the Air Force
18 SPTG / CC
Unit 5133, Box 10
APO AP 96368-5133

Okinawa Army Facilities

Army Installation Coordinator
10th Area Support Group
ATTN: APAJ-GOF-I
Unit 35115
APO AP 96376-5115

Okinawa Marine Facilities

USMC Provost Marshall Office
Pass and ID
Marine Corps Base
Camp Butler
FPO AP 96373-5025

Okinawa Naval Facilities

Navy Commanding Officer
CFAO / NAFK
PSC 480
FPO AP 96370-1180

Veterans Privileges


Approved Veterans can shop the online exchanges, including ShopMyExchange.com! Shopping with the Exchange online gives you access to exclusive military pricing and offers, tax-free shopping and more. This is a lifelong benefit that will be extended to all who discharge honorably from service.

Disabled Veterans Shopping Benefit

On January 1, 2020 the Department of Defense expanded in-store military exchange and commissary shopping privileges as well as MWR resale facility use to:

  • All Veterans with service-connected disabilities
  • Purple Heart recipients
  • Former prisoners of war
  • Caregivers or family caregivers registered as the primary caregiver for a veteran in the Department of Veterans Affairs Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers

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