ACES - The Most Popular Place on Post!

Ask any Army Cadet where their favorite place is on post, and almost all with say "ACES, sir!"

Why?  Well, that's where the "goodies" are, the place is air-conditioned and the cadre doesn't make anyone do push-ups there!

ACES is basically our version of a Post Exchange, or "PX."  USAC personnel and friends can buy such items as uniforms, insignia, novelty items, Airsoft equipment and associated gear, and so much more.  They also have snacks and drinks for Cadets during "Canteen" time, held each evening.  

The storefront looks just like any Army Military Clothing Sales Store found throughout the country.  However, just over a year ago the current location for ACES (it was previously in the basement of the Dining Facility) was an indoor marksmanship range.  It was filled with junk and had to be completely gutted so the space could become a retail store.

ACES is the only commercial operation specifically designed to meet the needs of Army Cadets, our officers and non-commissioned officers and USAC units throughout the United States.

They also carry a line of Army Combat Uniform (ACU) and Multi-Cam field gear, as well as boots, Physical Training (PT) gear, knives, martial arts items, DVD’s, sundries (soap, razors, deodorant) and...well, did I mention Airsoft items.

This operation is unique in that most of the insignia, t-shirts and supporting items like patches, guidons and embroidered insignia are produced on-site.

The back room of ACES (also known as the “sweat shop”) is where much of the magic happens. Here embroidery machines produce name and branch tapes, embroidered rank insignia and other cloth uniform items. A machine stamps out dog tags. A hot press churns out PT shirts and specialty wear. This is also where the beautiful USAC guidons are hand produced.

ACES is also unique in that it uses a debit system for most Cadet transactions. When a USAC Cadet signs into an activity here at the National Cadet Training Center an account is created in ACES where they or their parents deposit monies and the Cadet can make purchases against monies in their account.

This creates an environment where our Cadets carry no cash and if they need something from ACES they can just swipe their Cadet ID Card for it, provided there is money in the account.  This will also be used by Forest Hill Military Academy, when we open in August.

The store is managed and operated by Mrs. Lillian Gorman, the wife of LTC Joe Gorman, Forest Hill Station's Garrison Commander.

For more information about ACES please visit their website.  Questions regarding orders, account balance, etc., can be answered by contacting ACES Customer Service.     

The above entry was originally written by the late Lt. Col. Al Pabon, CAP, a member of the NCTC cadre in 2011.  Rest easy Al!