New operating hours equals more access to the Diamond Mart

Photo By Senior Airman Anania Tekurio | Serviceable shoes and boots of all sizes fill a rack to at the Diamond Mart on Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., Dec. 4, 2014. Due to the generous donations from active-duty and retired service members, the Diamond Mart is able to provide an additional resource of uniformed clothing items for active-duty Airmen who may need replacement items. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Anania Tekurio/Released)  

BOX ELDER, SD, UNITED STATES

12.10.2014

Story by Senior Airman Anania Tekurio 

28th Bomb Wing

BOX ELDER, S.D. - Now open every third Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Diamond Mart is a resource that accepts serviceable service uniform donations and provides them to Airmen who may need to replace a damaged or unserviceable uniform – free of charge.

“The purpose of the Diamond Mart is to give our Airmen another resource to obtain uniforms and any other serviceable items,” said Master Sgt. Kellie Boisse, 28th Force Support Squadron first sergeant. “Being able to replace a uniform soaked in fuel can save a lot of hassle, especially when the military clothing store is closed.”

For the past couple years, the Diamond Mart – organized and operated by the base’s First Sergeant Council - has been available to active-duty Airmen through scheduled appointments with their first sergeants. The expanded hours help better meet the needs of base Airmen without requiring an appointment.

“Two first sergeants [will staff] the Diamond Mart during the new operating hours,” said Master Sgt. Allen Minner, 28th Security Forces Squadron first sergeant. “We want our Airmen to know that the Diamond Mart is for them and [give them] as much access to it as possible.”

The donations from active-duty and retired servicemembers allow the Diamond Mart to give back to Airmen.

“Our operation depends on donated uniforms and items,” said Minner. “They have to be serviceable items – it wouldn’t be helpful [for] Airmen to obtain uniforms from the Diamond Mart that were not [with]in regulation.”

Individuals interested in donating serviceable uniform items can contact their unit first sergeant for more details.

“The fact that we can recycle and reuse means we should,” Minner said. “It’s a great operation that is based on Airmen helping one another out.”

• Date Taken: 12.10.2014
• Date Posted: 12.11.2014 09:50
• Story ID: 150061
• Location: BOX ELDER, SD, US