'Black Wednesday' hits Camp Leatherneck

Photo By Sgt. Aaron Rooks | Col. Preston McLaughlin, chief of staff, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, cuts a ribbon, July 1, to mark the grand opening of the Camp Leatherneck Marine Corps Exchange. Open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., the exchange holds as many as 40 shoppers at a time, compared to the eight at the temporary store.  

CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN

07.10.2009

Story by Sgt. Aaron Rooks 

2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand Province, Afghanistan — The scene at the grand opening for the Marine Corps Exchange, July 1, was reminiscent of a controlled "Black Friday," the biggest, and arguably wildest, shopping day of the year in the United States.

Hundreds of Marines, Sailors and Soldiers waited outside the large tent in a line that extended as far as the eye could see, hours before the store would open. Each service member waited calmly for the opportunity to get in before the merchandise disappeared.

"Some of us have been here for two to three months with no assets," said Lawton, Okla., native Gunnery Sgt. Gary Porter, ground watch chief, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, "but seeing this here, it's a great morale booster. It's something we've been looking forward to for a while now."

Open 12 hours a day starting at 9 a.m., the exchange holds as many as 40 shoppers at one time, compared to the eight at the temporary store.

The 3,000-square-foot exchange, between the sales floor and back stock, can hold up to $1.5 million in merchandise, from consumables and clothing to electronics and tobacco, said Chief Warrant Officer Anthony Cisneros, officer-in-charge, Marine Corps Community Services, MEB-Afghanistan.

A pack of cigarettes, a cold soda or a chilled energy drink — all different things which can be found at the exchange — can make a world of difference to a Marine, he explained, stating that they will remember these items long after they return home.

"It will make life a lot better, having a little taste of home," said Seaman Raul Silva, hospital corpsman, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. "It brings up my morale and makes me feel a little better."

But at this rate, 11 hours after opening, and with the line stretching out the door, the effects of supply and demand began to set in. According to Cisneros, situations like this are bound to happen at times.

Cisneros, from Riverdale, Calif., said there are currently plans underway to increase the size of the exchange to 40,000 square feet to mitigate the chances of running low on supplies.

But for now, he said, the customers were satisfied.

"The lines are still long," he said, later in the day, "and folks are still leaving happy."

Seeing the hundreds lined outside the front door for the entire day made every challenge worth overcoming, said AAFES Southern Afghanistan general manager Nancy Kessler.

"To bring them a taste of home, it makes it worth every drop of sweat," she said.

• Date Taken: 07.10.2009
• Date Posted: 07.10.2009 01:57
• Story ID: 36188
• Location: CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF