Base exchange

Other authorized patrons include honorably discharged veterans certified 100% disabled and/or totally and permanently disabled (TPD) by the Veterans Administration, recipients of the Medal of Honor, military transition personnel,[clarification needed] DoD employees, Red Cross personnel who are U.S. citizens assigned outside the United States with the military service.

[2] Limited base exchange privileges are extended to members of the Civil Air Patrol and United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Foreign national active duty officer and enlisted members, when visiting U.S. military installation for unofficial business.

Unlike commissaries (military grocery stores), exchanges, for the most part, do not receive significant appropriations from the federal government and must operate on a for-profit basis.

Exchanges play an important role for U.S. military and federal government personnel assigned overseas as they are often the only local source for American retail merchandise, such as clothing, electronics, books and magazines, fast food, etc.