American Post Exchange PXs & Canadian NATEX. Think information think

Transcription

1 American Post Exchange PXs & Canadian NATEX Think information think!

2 HIVE BLOGS Keep your finger on the pulse and sign up for current station and local information. Read about health, education, employment, what s on, discounts, charities, welfare, housing and relocation. It s all covered! Go to the top left hand corner of the Blog and enter your address in the box (not Dii) 2. Respond to the confirmation which will be sent to you automatically You will now receive alerts summarising posts to the Blog. Just click on links to read more! Other HIVE Blogs can be accessed through the Army website at: Edited July 2017 by IM 2

3 CONTENTS PAGE American PX Information 4 Installation Access Control System (IACS) 4-5 Money 5 Points to Remember when purchasing at a PX 5-6 Your Nearest PX 6 Leaving BFG 6 Where to stay 6 NATEX 7 Clothing Size Guide 8 HIVE Location 9 HIVE Mission Statement & Disclaimer 10 Edited July 2017 by IM 3

4 AMERICAN PX INFORMATION A PX (AAFES; The Army & Air Force Exchange Service) is an American Facility where you can purchase a variety of goods, i.e. clothing, bikes, sports equipment, DVDs, Blu Rays, electrical goods, toys, books, cards, toiletries, gifts plus much more. All PX s differ in size and range of products and services offered; no two are the same. They are generally cheaper than UK shops; depending on exchange rates at the time. This booklet is a brief guide to where the PX s are in Germany and their contact details should you wish to visit. For further information please click on the following In general PX s are open every day of the year, except for Thanksgiving (Fourth Thursday in November), Christmas Day (25 th December) and New Years Day (1 st January). However, due to the continuing drawdown and moving of American Bases in Germany, some PX s are reducing their hours. Therefore it is always advisable that you check with the PX you wish to visit before travelling; details can be found within the link above. Entitlement - What you need to go to a PX Installation Access Control System card (IACS see details below) Military ID card or valid MOD/Dependant ID Card Passport BFG NAAFI shopping permit IACS (INSTALLATION ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM) Anyone wishing to visit a PX must have a valid IACS pass to gain access to the base. In Bielefeld the application forms are available from the Community Support Office in Block 26c, Catterick Barracks. Telephone: , In Paderborn/Sennelager the application forms are available from your Unit Welfare Office. In Gutersloh the application forms are available from the Community Support Office (CSWO) in Base Admin. Telephone They will explain the whole application process. Continued Edited July 2017 by IM 4

5 Once in possession of your completed and signed paperwork from Community Support or Welfare Office, it is YOUR responsibility to call the Installation Office that you intend to visit and arrange your appointment. Contact details and addresses are supplied by Community Support/Welfare Office. On appointment at the IACS within your nominated PX remember to take your ID card, Passport and NAAFI Shopping permit. You cannot just turn up without these items and without making a prior appointment. If you have an expired IACS pass, this must be presented in order to get a new one. PLEASE NOTE The IACS pass only allows your entrance into the PX, you must have a valid ration card to physically shop at a PX. MONEY The currency used is Dollars. These can be obtained from any German bank. Cash Machines are available at PX s but be aware that they are registered to the USA and your UK bank account may have restrictions on you drawing money out of an American Cash point within Germany. It is highly recommended that you take any monies with you prior to your visit. There are currency exchanges that will change your money, but these will have set opening hours. Please check with the PX you intend to visit for further information visit the following website: When obtaining cash from an American Cash Point you should be aware of the following: Place your card into the cash point and it will be returned before asking for your PIN. Enter your PIN, and retrieve money. It is important that you DO NOT walk away as you will be asked if you require further services. If you do not press NO then the next person will be able to access your account. The PX will take Visa, MasterCard and American Express, only if supported by a Military ID card. The Fast food outlets also take credit/debit cards. POINTS TO REMEMBER WHEN PURCHASING AT A PX Electrical Items The electrical current in Germany is 220 volts and 50 cycles-per-second, while most American appliances operate on 110 volts and 60 cycles-persecond. When buying anything electrical, it is important to check the voltage. Continued.. Edited July 2017 by IM 5

6 DVD & Blu Ray Discs DVDs and Blu Ray discs may be a little less expensive, and many of the latest films are out early, however you will need a multi-region DVD/Blu Ray player to be able to watch them. YOUR NEAREST PX WIESBADEN (HAINERBERG) Bldg 7850 Texas Strasse Wiesbaden Tel: For a full list of PX s further afield in Germany and Europe visit: LEAVING BFG All BFG personnel and their families are reminded that if they hold an IACS pass for access to American facilities in Europe, when the holder is about to leave BFG, or when the pass has expired, these passes must be returned to G1 Provost Branch, HQBFG, BFPO 140 (situated in Room 1.035, Block 5, Catterick Barracks, Bielefeld). If we do not comply with the US Army in Europe regulations on this matter, the privilege may be withdrawn. Contact BFG-HQ-G1-Pro- 0GpMailbox@mod.uk for further details, or any enquiries. WHERE TO STAY American Bases all over the world have hotels and guesthouses which are mainly used by the American Forces for the purpose of R&R, but are also available to be used by the British Forces. So, If you re looking for a place to stay this summer whilst travelling, planning a holiday or want to spend the weekend shopping at the PX, then see below for forces lodgings for all the latest deals. The website for the main lodgings in Germany is: For information on The Edelweiss Lodge and Resort visit the website: there are also separate booklets about Edelweiss Resort that are available in the HIVE. PLEASE NOTE An IACS Pass IS NOT required to stay at Edelweiss Lodge but you MUST fill in an access system on their website 30 days prior to arrival. This can be done by visiting Edited July 2017 by IM 6

7 NATEX NATEX is a tax free/duty free shopping complex that is managed by the Canadian Forces and is located on the: NATO E-3A Component Airbase in Geilenkirchen, Germany, serving the NATO community. You will find within Natex: Grocery Stores Clothing Stores Drinks Store Retail Outlets Plus much more You will not need an IACS card to shop here, however you will need to get a shopping permit. Application forms can be obtained from the NATEX customer service desk. You will need to provide a valid MOD/Dependant ID card, your NAAFI shopping permit and your BFG documents for your car. As this is subject to change, please visit the website prior to your visit. NATEX accepts Euros, Debit and Credit Cards. Address & Contact Details Lilienthalallee Geilenkirchen, Germany Phone contactus@natex.de Edited July 2017 by IM 7

8 CLOTHING SIZE GUIDE Women s Dresses, Suits, Skirts & Coats British German /44 46/48 50 American Bra Sizes British German Women s Shoes British 3 3 1/ / / / /2 8 German 36 36/ / / / American / / / /2 9 9 ½ Children s Shoes British 4 4 1/ / / / / /2 German / / / /28 British / / / /2 German / / / Children s Clothes British - Age German Size Height - cm Men s Suits & Overcoats British German American Men s Shirts British / / / /2 17 German / / American / / / /2 17 Men s Socks British 9 1/ / / /2 German American 9 1/ / / /2 Men s Shoes British 7 7 1/ / / / /2 German 41 41/ / / /47 American 7 7 1/ / / / /2 Edited July 2017 by IM 8

9 HIVE LOCATIONS BIELEFELD Block 8, Catterick Barracks Detmolder Straβe 440, Bielefeld TELEPHONE GÜTERSLOH Amenities Centre, Mansergh Barracks Verler Straβe 127, Gütersloh TELEPHONE PADERBORN Block 15, Barker Barracks Driburger Straβe, Paderborn, TELEPHONE SENNELAGER Paderborn Community Hub, NAAFI Families Store Otto Hahn Straβe 20, Sennelager TELEPHONE SHAPE UK EJSU, Building 309, SHAPE 7010, Belgium TELEPHONE BRUNSSUM Building 603, Rimburgerweg 30, Brunssum 6445 PA, The Netherlands TELEPHONE NAPLES UKNSE Naples Naples, BFPO 8 TELEPHONE napleshive@armymail.mod.uk Edited July 2017 by IM 9

10 Army Welfare Service delivering information through MISSION STATEMENT HIVE Information Centres support the Chain of Command and Service Communities through the provision of up to date and relevant information. DISCLAIMER The content of any brochures or advertisement displayed in the HIVE does not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of HM Government, the Ministry of Defence or Army HIVE. The accuracy of brochures displayed is not guaranteed. We make every effort to ensure that our information is current and correct. Your help is invaluable in keeping materials up to date. Please share any additional information with us and inform us if you think any changes should be made. Contact details can be found on the previous page of this booklet. Edited July 2017 by IM 10