Chief Master Sgt. Sean E. Applegate Army & Air Force Exchange Service Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Sean E. Applegate is the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange), at its Headquarters in Dallas. In this capacity, he serves as the focal point for communications between Exchange leadership and Army and Air Force active duty, Guard, Reserve, family members and retired patrons. He travels to Army and Air Force installations worldwide to present updates on Exchange activities and provides feedback on issues affecting customers. The Exchange is an organization of the Department of Defense, celebrating its 121st year in supporting service members and their families. The Exchange is the No. 52 retail organization in the U.S., with revenue of $8.5 billion, employing about 35,000 associates, including a small contingent of military. The Exchange operates department and convenience stores, gas stations, restaurants, theaters, vending and other businesses on military installations in all 50 states, five U.S. territories and 33 countries. Chief Applegate grew up in Fort Myers, Fla., and Cortland, N.Y. He joined the U.S. Air Force in August 1989 and completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. He has had a variety of Services assignments and has deployed in support of various operations. Chief Applegate holds an associate degree in restaurant and hotel management from Community College of the Air Force. He earned a bachelor of arts in management with honors from American Military University. Chief Applegate began his military career as a food service specialist at Lowry Air Force Base, Colo. He served as a food service specialist at Platsburgh Air Force Base, N.Y.; a services specialist at Osan Air Base, Korea; first cook at Soesterberg Air Base, Netherlands; food service journeyman at Volkel Air Base, Netherlands; services quality assurance evaluator, 496th Services Squadron, Morón Air Base, Spain; dining facility manager, 52nd Services Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany; senior enlisted aide for the Commander, Headquarters, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany; food service superintendent, Headquarters, Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va. and chief enlisted manager, Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations, Dover Air Force Base, Del. Chief Applegate came to his current position at the Exchange in October 2014. Chief Applegate’s awards and decorations include: Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters Air Force Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters National Defense Service Medal with device Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Expeditionary Service Medal (Current as of Aug. 2016) .