Lewis Main Exchange — Local services in DuPont

I had the worst experience ever over the weekend at the Main Exchange - JBLM Ft Lewis.

First I want to say that my father served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War. He passed away about 10 years ago. His wife, my mother, is still able to shop at the exchange. Every time my mother visits from California, my family is thrilled when she takes us to the Exchange. We know that it is a great benefit for me in particular to go to the store I frequented when I was a dependent.

Fast forward to today. I brought my two children in alongside my mother to visit the Exchange. My youngest child was super excited because he remembered that the year prior, he got a gift card, food coupons, free haircut, and more for earning outstanding grades. He asked a representative if the program was still going on and was advised that it was. He was filled with joy.

We went back to the office at the back corner, the administrative office where the prizes were given to the kids. Both my kids had excellent grades and were ready to show them off in return for goodies. We went from representative to representative and were finally presented to Crystal Powers, the main manager of the Exchange. She told us that the kids did not qualify because they were not dependents. Either me or the father needed to be the sponsor for the kids to receive the rewards. I mentioned that the kids received it the year prior with the grandmother, same situation. Back and forth she continued with "No", "Nope", "No", and over again. My youngest child's heart dropped. She went on and explained that we aren't even supposed to be in the store and said my mom is the only authorized one. I said I understood but she kept pointing that out. I obviously did my best to make an effort get have my kids rewarded, especially my youngest, but to no avail. She was a gatekeeper that could not be messed with. I asked for her to present me written proof so I can be satisfied and so I can show to my kids. She was not able to. She even cruelly said "You know you're not getting this right?". Really? Did she really need to say that? I did not feel good, not one bit.

I am taking the time to write this email because I felt so low. My father was a 100% disabled Vietnam Veteran. My kids' other grandfather was a 20+ year Air Force veteran. Doesn't that mean anything? I mean companies like Navy Federal CU and USAA give privileges to veterans, their kids, and their grandkids. Did my kids really need to see and experience the rudeness and unprofessionalism from Crystal Powers? Isn't there another manager or higher up that can calm the situation and present some kind of proof or rules of the program so my kid can read it for himself? He is old enough to understand that rules are rules. He did manage to get perfect grades after all.

I don't know what else to say. Crystal Powers made me feel like I didn't deserve to be in the Exchange. She definitely didn't make my kids feel at ease at the Exchange. They told their grandmother that they didn't want to go to the Exchange anymore, or at least the Main Exchange at JBLM Ft Lewis.

I wish workers like Crystal Powers take classes of customer service. I feel that Crystal Powers abused her "Powers" and made us experience how to feel low like dirt. I hope that she doesn't make anybody how I'm feeling. ...

It all started on a cold winters night. As I walked through the dimly lit automatic doors a musty aroma wisped through me as if I was hit with a wall of simmering beef. Could it be Charlie's? NO! The smell was too rich, too potent for that.

As I glanced around I began to notice I was somewhat of a spectacle. Why were they looking at me. Was it because of my young dapper appearance that threatened them. Or was it my boldness that frightened them. Either way, as I walked around the food court looking for this particularly aroma of juicy beefiness my plate vest snagged the table. "OUCH!!!" My army issued weapon discharged onto my left foot, completely removing my toe. Rookie mistake! "It's okay, no one heard it" I thought to myself. My boot was soaking in blood but alas the aroma still puzzled me. The search must continue.

I took a sharp left to the burger king avoiding 2 MP's sprinting in my direction. "They must be busy doing gods work". As it happened, I ran into that decadent aroma. The sign in bold red letters read out like a sign from the cattle gods, "ARBYS", although admittedly, my army issued battle goggles could barely make out the cursive writings. Surely, with such a display, this must be of absolute American culinary novelty. I strutted strongly to the counter where a woman greeted me.

Something about her. Her long brunette hair was curly as the curly fries she had stored within a small deposit behind her. She must have been late 60s but her cigarette stained teeth said otherwise to my lonely heart. I sputtered and spun in my head, what to say to such a dame? Finally I uttered, "mountain meat sandwhich...large" followed by a nervous wink. She turned and yelled to the back of the establishment, "heart attack and curls". She glanced at me for what must have been an eternity, "$12.45". I hurridly gave her my star card, but made sure she knew I was interested by firmly grasping her hand as she tried to pay my whole source of financing.

As I sit here writing this piece from Leavenworth, I can't help but use this medium to find out if that same woman is thinking about my exchange of not just money for juicy fried beef but of love between two adventurers in life.

P.S. Meat mountain means something different...

I don’t like leaving a comment like this. I’ve been stationed on JBLM before it was jblm. I got out in 09 I got to Fort Lewis in 06. I say that to say this. I’ve never had the experience I had at the PX or at any px for that matter. This terrible experience happened yesterday on 06June 2025. I was looking for a perfume set with my wife. I was initially ignored when I was trying to ask the cosmetics sale rep for help because that’s who I saw first. I was able to get her attention. She tried to tell me she couldn’t help me. She does make up. However she ended up helping me reluctantly. We were looking for a box set. The woman was actually quite knowledgeable for not wanting to help us. She advised us to wait and ask “Ashley”. Not sure if that’s her name either way there was nobody else around to confuse her with. The cosmetic sale rep said that kit isn’t on the floor but if we asked the other lady she can get you the set. We waited our turn. Watched this woman proceed to treat me differently. Thanking the last person she was helping for their I don’t need thanks. I want mutual respect. She wouldn’t even put on a fake smile for my wife and I. All I got was followed around as if I were trying to steal something. It was embarrassing and unnecessary. Oh and the reluctant cosmetic sale rep. Did not skip a beat to help another woman find the fragrance she was asking about. But didn’t want to help me or my wife and ignored us initially. JBLM Px has a decent fragrance section. I’ll never buy any of it ever again. As long as those two wicked...