MCX in Iraq - OIF II
The Marine Corps Exchange (MCX) has always been on the front lines supporting the needs of deployed Marines and Sailors and providing a boost in morale. Behind the scenes, of these successful operations is a dedicated group of Marines and MCX civilian volunteers.
For Operation Iraqi Freedom, the MCX has partnered with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) to provide product for the MCX operated tactical field exchanges in Marine Corps areas of operations. In accordance with a Memorandum of Agreement, joint AAFES/MCX activities are "owned by AAF
ES, but manned and operated by trained MCX personnel (both military and civilian) along with AAFES employees. This is not a new arrangement as it was also how the MCX operated in Dessert Strom. The partnership between MCX and AAFES has worked extremely well and is a team effort in providing an enhanced quality of life for our deployed Marines.
The MCX is the only Exchange Service that has active duty personnel with a primary Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) for Exchange Officers and MWR Specialists who are trained to operate Tactical Field Exchanges. This dedicated group of XX 2 officers and 31 enlisted Marines are on their 10th rotation in support of OEF/OIF, with many of them having completed three tours of duty, and some scheduled for a fourth. There are currently 31 MOS Marines and 10 non-MOS Marines providing exchange operations in Iraq on a 12 month rotational basis. To support our MOS Marines, MCX civilian employees have been asked to volunteer for duty in Iraq. We currently have 17 MCX civilian volunteers in Iraq, and have an additional 22 that are ready to go.
For many deployed Marines and Sailors, the exchange is a place to unwind, while shopping or eating. Health and comfort products continue be the most popular items sold in our deployed operations. Beyond needs-based products, touches of home go a long way toward easing mission anxiety. Some of the most popular items include Starbucks Frappuccino, Play Station Personal consoles, movies and games, digital cameras, electronics, music, magazines, and DVDs.
Marine Corps operated exchanges in Iraq have generated more than $287.6M in sales since 2003. In FY06 alone, these operations generated more than $100 million in sales and are on track to reach $104M in FY07. At the four more stable Marine Corps operational camps in Iraq, Direct Operational Tactical Exchanges (DOX-T) are available seven days a week. These stores offer a diversified stock assortment and are co-located with a variety of concessionaires and services such as barber shops, beauty shops, Green Bean Coffee shops, gift shops, and jewelry stores. There are also 10 smaller Tactical Field Exchanges at the forward operating bases which offer basic necessities and some need to have items such as tooth paste, deodorant, cameras, external hard drives, hand and body lotions, MP3 players, potato chips, and soft drinks.
In addition to the DOX-Ts and TFE's, the MCX sends Warfighter Express Service (WES) Teams out to Marines operating in isolated areas of western Iraq in an attempt to bring a little taste of home to these warriors who do not have the opportunity to patronize the larger exchanges. The WES Team setup consists of a 7-ton truck, along with a well constructed mobile PX built inside of a 20 ft container. This mobile PX comes complete with power, lighting, shelving, a full size tobacco closet, and a set of stairs to allow the customers to climb up onto the store. Steel cages, footlockers, and bungee cords help maintain the merchandise in place while the truck is riding down the bumpy terrain. The stock assortment consists of necessities and must have items such as Black boot socks, batteries, foot powder, tooth brush, IPods, Monster and Red Bull Energy Drinks, Herb and Garlic Tuna, workout supplements, and Zunes.
When not deployed to a combat zone, the MCX Marines are constantly honing their skills in management positions at stateside MCX operations or by participating in military exercises in the jungles of Thailand, the mountains of Mt Fuji, Japan, the deserts of Egypt, the NATO training areas of Spain, Greece, and Turkey, and the arctic regions of Norway.
Morale is priceless for deployed Marines and Sailors dealing with the discomforts of a combat zone and being away from all that is familiar. MCX Marines and civilian volunteers are on the frontlines literally take their services to every climb and place and providing a boost in morale.
