Shoplifting at Exchange can ruin career

  • Published
  • By Army & Air Force Exchange Service Public Affairs
  • Army & Air Force Exchange Service Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  A young, up-and-coming Airman stops by the Travis Exchange to pick up his weekly necessities.

While browsing through the store, he stops to admire the assortment of wallets. With money tight, he decides to slip one into his pocket while no one else is around.

What he may not realize is that the Exchange is equipped with closed-circuit televisions with DVR technology and high-tech electronic article surveillance. As a result, the Airman is apprehended by Exchange Loss Prevention professionals and turned over to security forces.

With one, split-second poor decision, this young Airman's promising career took a drastic turn. Consequences of being caught shoplifting for active-duty members can include a reduction in rank, an other-than-honorable discharge, forfeiture of pay and allowances and possible confinement. In addition to possible disciplinary action or criminal prosecution, the Federal Claims Collection Act allows the Exchange to enact a flat, administrative cost of $200. There may be further fees, in addition to the Civil Recovery Program, depending on the condition of the stolen merchandise.

"The bottom line is that it's just not worth it," said Paula Bradford, Travis Exchange manager. "Throwing away your future to try and save a few bucks is a tremendous price to pay."

In addition to the repercussions to individuals who shoplift, the military community as a whole suffers as a result of those stealing from the Exchange. With a dual mission to provide quality goods and services at competitively low prices and generate earnings to support family and morale, welfare and recreation installation programs for its shareholders, the Exchange has contributed more than $2.4 billion to military quality of life programs in the past 10 years.

"Shoplifting at the Travis Exchange results in a reduced return on investment to our primary shareholders - the military community," Bradford said. "Because the Exchange is a command with a mission to return earnings to quality of life programs, people who steal from the Exchange don't only harm themselves, but negatively impact FMWR command and service programs."

As a result of an aggressive shoplifting deterrence program, the Travis Exchange saw shoplifting cases decrease by 52 percent, to 36 in 2012 from 75 in 2011. The value of merchandise involved in these incidents also decreased from $7,082.29 to $3,083.77 in 2012.

While no dollar amount can be placed on the human cost of a career lost by one poor decision, it is the Exchange's hope that educating shoppers on the safeguards in place and the results for those caught shoplifting will result in fewer incidences and, in turn, fewer careers derailed by a moment of poor judgment.