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Camp Patriot AAFES Boosts Morale, Sales

Navy NewStand

Story Number: NNS030506-02
Release Date: 5/6/2003 9:47:00 AM

By Journalist 1st Class Joseph Krypel, Commander Camp Patriot Public Affairs

CAMP PATRIOT, Kuwait (NNS) -- A joint-service, multinational force of thousands at Camp Patriot often has little time to enjoy "home-style" activities. But the local Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) outlet here not only raises the morale of all by providing a clean and comfortable environment, but claims its own boost in a highly competitive marketplace of military exchanges.

"We're definitely not the biggest - but we are extremely competitive in our sales as compared to much larger locations in this theater, as well as back home," said Melisa Dennett, team lead and store manager of the Camp Patriot AAFES.

According to Dennett, the AAFES location covers nearly 3,000-feet of sales space, and averages $30,000 in sales per day.

"Of course, our sales bounce up and down based on customers moving through," explained Dennett, "... but with the current backload happening here, we're reaching some very substantial numbers."

According to Dennet, AAFES itself carries an average of 800 to $900,000 per month in sales, while the services complex and food court it neighbors does approximately $250,000 per month in sales.

The mix of military services brings an extraordinary flavor to Camp Patriot. Totaling nearly 3,000 active and recalled Reservists, Camp Patriot is more like a small hospitable town than a forward-deployed base camp, and with the local facility, there is an immense, upbeat attitude that just continues to grow.

Nester Millan, an AAFES team member and native of Puerto Rico, says, "If it wasn't for the Soldiers and Sailors here helping out, we wouldn't be as successful as we are. We are all one big team."

Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Wendy Connett of Beach Master Unit 1, homebased in Coronado, Calif., not only spends her money, but spends some of her off-time assisting the AAFES staff, adding to the team success that Millan spoke of.

"The staff here helps us in more ways than they know, and when I have some free time, I want to help them as much as possible. They're here for us, and it's important for them to know that we're here for them, too," explained Connett.

With a staff of five, the Department of Defense Civilian contractors that operate the Camp Patriot AAFES live the motto, "We go where you go."

"We volunteer to come here," stated Susan Bonsalle, a DoD Civilian employee that helps run and maintain the newly opened store. "All of us at AAFES are in this with you guys. We support you, and we try to make your very difficult jobs a little easier to deal with."

According to Dennett, keeping customers happy is simple. "We don't have empty shelves. Our team works long hours to ensure that the people here have selection - and we ensure that if we don't have it, we try to get it."

Dennett explained that many of the products carried in the AAFES here are ordered months in advance, taking up to 95-days from order to delivery.

"There are a number of items that we purchase locally to keep the shelves full," says Dennett, "...but that's just part of good business for good people."