FORT HOOD, Texas -- The Army has no shortage of Soldier programs, but one stands out by focusing on warriors who make up more than one-third of the force: single Soldiers.
This summer, Soldiers can look forward to a variety of activities through the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program.
The lineup includes a 24-hour post-wide softball tournament, pool parties, a cruise to Yucatan and Cozumel, Mexico, a water park trip and regular volunteer visits to make lunch for patients of the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System in Temple, Texas.
Developed in 1989 here at Fort Hood, Texas, the BOSS program's three pillars are to improve Soldiers' quality of life, offer leisure and recreational activities as well as coordinate volunteer and community service opportunities.
Gilpin County, Colo. native, Spc. Molly Brown, the BOSS representative for 1st "Ironhorse" Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, thinks BOSS is a great way to network and make friends.
The pool parties have had amazing turn outs with at least 60 people attending the July event and around 200 at the most recent party, Brown said. People, including off-duty lifeguards, participated in the belly flop contest.
Although Soldiers can be apprehensive about attending events for the first time because they don't know anyone, Brown explained, it really is a better opportunity for single Soldiers to get out and meet other people.
"My recruiter actually met his wife through BOSS and they're having a baby soon," Brown added.
Brown feels the more Soldiers are able to experience the Fort Hood surrounding community, the more fun they can have.
"If you just feel like going out on a limb and going by yourself, go for it," Brown said. "Jump in the deep end."
Branson, Mo. native, Spc. Brian Seitz, a BOSS representative for the 2nd "Lancer" Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment of the Ironhorse Brigade, has noticed many Soldiers don't get out much because they think there are no activities for them.
Brown explained officers have Club Hood and noncommissioned officers can go to the Backbone NCO Lounge, while Patton's Pub, which was previously open to all ranks, is now the BOSS Headquarters.
BOSS aids Fort Hood's more than 20,000 single Soldiers by getting them involved in the community and through events planned directly from their suggestions explained Fort Hood's BOSS President, Honolulu native, Sgt. Sonya Legaspi, a human intelligence collector assigned to the United States Army Garrison Reception Detachment at Fort Hood.
While BOSS is geared toward single Soldiers, participation is open to married Soldiers when slots for events are available, Legaspi continued.
Legaspi believes recreation and community service activities help maintain Soldiers' morale. BOSS recently hosted a fishing tournament, ice skating, camping trips and took Soldiers to volunteer at the American Red Cross and local animal shelters.
The program helps Soldiers adjust to Army life by keeping them occupied and active, Brown said. BOSS wants to make sure single Soldiers are safe and entertained.
Along with leisure and volunteering, unit BOSS representatives advocate for single Soldiers' quality of life issues involving barracks, dining facilities and any other problems they may have, Brown explained.
"What we do is take feedback from the Soldiers themselves and pass it up the chain," Brown continued. "It works just like a normal chain of command."
From barracks room issues to weekend closures of the nearest dining facility causing Soldiers without vehicles to catch a shuttle across post to get to chow, Brown said BOSS representatives get involved to help fix problems.
"If it takes longer than needed to get (something) fixed, then we step in," Brown added.
Seitz believes BOSS gives Soldiers a voice in telling their chain of command what they would like to see.
It is a Soldier run program: for the Soldiers, by the Soldiers, Brown said.
Seitz feels BOSS is a close knit organization with a family atmosphere.
In addition to the three main pillars of BOSS, Seitz explained the community service done through the program can be tracked, potentially put toward earning a Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.
Brown believes volunteering shows a Soldier's command they are actively involved outside of work and giving back to the community.
"Fort Hood is similar to any other place," Brown concluded. "You get what you put into it."
Anyone interested in volunteering, participating in activities or becoming a unit representative can contact the BOSS Headquarters at (254) 287-6116.
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