Grafenwoehr BOSS program wins big at Army-wide level

By U.S. ArmySeptember 1, 2009

Grafenwoehr BOSS program wins big at Army-wide level
Garrison leadership Col. Chris Sorenson (left) and Command Sgt. Maj. Willam Berrios (right) pose for a photo with U.S. Army Garrison Grafenwoehr Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers President Cpl. Robert Shomper at the BOSS car show Aug. 22, at t... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany - During the 2009 Department of the Army Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers annual conference in Leesburg, Va., Aug. 10-15, the U.S. Army Garrison Grafenwoehr BOSS program raked in two prestigious honors.

USAG Grafenwoehr BOSS president, Cpl. Robert Shomper, and Command Sgt. Maj. William Berrios, command sergeant major for USAG Grafenwoehr, accepted two of the six awards given to BOSS programs Army-wide, bringing home the "Best Event" award for a large commnuity and runner-up for "Best Installation" award.

The event that won the Grafenwoehr program its highest accolades was the Netzaberg Middle School's first annual field day. As Shomper explained, many of the children in Netzaberg schools have parents deployed, and without filling the family-members' shoes, BOSS participants "wanted to give (the students) someone to hang out with ... have a good time ... throw the football around. My vision was to enhance those kids' lives. I think we did," Shomper said.

At the event, 45 BOSS members volunteered to participate and more than 450 students. "It really showed the community service that we provide," said Shomper noting that the high Soldier participation and volunteer rate are what makes the program what it is.

Shomper explained that the "Best Installation" runner-up award, judged on excellence of quality of life, community service and recreation and leadership, was achieved "because we're growing every day. We have an excellent chain of command ... We have Soldiers who want to participate ... Not a lot of them can say that they walked away with 45 volunteers for any type of community service whatsoever."

Attending the conference also gave Shomper new ideas and motivation for the future of program.

"As far as winning (at) the conference, all it does is fuel my ambition next year to win first place in everything," Shomper said with a laugh. "That may be stretching it a little bit, but that's my goal. It just puts a little more pressure on me and on my fellow Soldiers to make sure we do everything we can to make our BOSS program the best BOSS program out there."

Future goals of the program include community service organized with local German mayors. According to Shomper, the goal is to keep the relationship with surrounding communities strong.

Shomper also hopes to host at least three events for single Soldiers each month.

The USAG Grafenwoehr BOSS program will soon benefit from a partnership with the United Service Organization. The new USO facilities, which will be opening soon next to the Service Credit Union on USAG Grafenwoehr's Main Post, will also house the new BOSS office and headquarters and will share the facility as a Soldier center.

After discussing the upcoming opportunities for single Soldiers, Shomper concluded, "We have the opportunity to make our program just explode. That's my plan."