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!
