Navy Exchange Main — Local services in Arlington

Somehow despite being promoted as a benefit to service members and their families, it’s the true definition of being military grade.

Clothing: while they offer some popular brands such as Champion, Adidas, UA, Nike and Columbia you’re paying retail prices (tax free) for most of the same items which are cheaper at the outlets. They do not have a uniform shop or offer tailoring. They sometimes have rank tabs or a very small selection of misc uniform items but it’s tiny. The NEX on Naval Station Everett has a uniform shop but all tailoring is sent out to Bremerton and can take up to a month or longer to receive back.

Toiletries: Paying CVS and Rite Aid prices with less selection.

Food: The commissary is next door but check the expiration dates. As for the NEX selection it’s your general basic chips and processed foods. Their liquor selection is probably one of the largest selections in the store.

Household: Their kitchen appliance section is decent, one of their better selections to be honest. If you’re looking for Zojirushi appliances, they normally have them available at a competitive price. Skip their Pyrex as it’s all the newer stuff which isn’t made to last and is not nearly as oven safe. If you’re looking for buy it for life glass Pryex, look for all capital letter: PRYEX at thrift stores. As for the rest, for some reason Yankee Candle has had a chokehold in all military exchanges along with the most basic live, laugh, love farmhouse decor. It’s basically a mini Hobby Lobby home decor section combined with a candle to match it all.

Overall: the NEX (let’s be honest, all of the Exchanges) need a serious overhaul especially if they’re planning on expanding NSE to bring new ships and more people in. Currently it’s worth it for the bare minimum of basic supplies just to get by in a...

Active Canadian Navy, visited the exchange store July 20/24. The civilian old lady there at the entrance asked for my DoD, showed her my Canadian active military ID and she denied my entrance, wanted to see my deployment message. I told her, you are a civilian, I will get in huge trouble showing classified documents to someone like you. As per your own regulations, Active Canadian Military can access. She denied my entrance, saying is the law who doesn't allowed me, I needed it the heads, and she says I can't not even use it. You should have people there who knows what are they talking about and not being asking for classified documents. Totally...

The NEXchange has dramatically changed from when it was new 25+ years ago. It has gotten smaller, less merchandise and less selections. Prices can be beat out, from the more numerous stores that now abound between Naval Station Everett and the NEX. Understand that 25 years ago, there was NO commercial establishment between those 10 miles. How do we expect our sailors to travel to this exchange and spend their money when they can find the same items probably for less in the Outlet, Kohl's, Winco, Costco, etc? Yet it is not the Navy Exchanges fault. Unfortunately I find that only top ranked retired and their families will prefer...