New operating hours equals more access to the Diamond Mart

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Anania Tekurio
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  The Diamond Mart, a facility whose mission is to provide Airmen with serviceable uniform items in certain instances, has expanded its hours of operation to better serve its customers.

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."