Mt. St. Helens

[IainWR]

Depends on the surrounding facility.

PX is a Post Exchange (where you swop money for goods ie a shop)
BX is a Base Exchange

I don't have enough experience of service with the US Military to know what makes the difference.

[rufrdr]

Depends on the surrounding facility.

PX is a Post Exchange (where you swop money for goods ie a shop)
BX is a Base Exchange

I don't have enough experience of service with the US Military to know what makes the difference.

The Army uses the term Post Exchange (PX) and the Air Force which was part of the Army until 1947 felt the need to demonstrate their identity by using Base Exchange (BX) but both operations are run by AAFES (Army/Air Force Exchange System). The Navy has their own system for some reason.

Active duty, reservists, and retired military can shop at the PX/BX, kind of like an upscale Walmart. The best part of it is that there is no sales tax on the purchases. For high tax states that makes a difference. There is a separate commissary system which is the discount grocery stores on military installations. Those prices are really low in comparison to the outside.

[Polchraine]

What is a NAAFI?

Navy, Army and Air Force Institute - they run the bars, cafes, shops etc. on British military bases.

And quite often on board Naval Ships.