LANSDOWNE, Va. - Installation Management Command-Europe garrisons took six awards during the 2009 Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers conference held here recently.
Teams of Soldiers and Army civilians from around the world converged in mid-August at the National Conference Center in Lansdowne to gain the skills to enhance team dynamics and the tools to better facilitate the execution of BOSS programs at their garrisons - and to recognize installation and individual excellence.
"Our main objective here is to have the BOSS triad teams - the command sergeant majors, the BOSS presidents, and the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation advisors - come together for training opportunities, networking and sharing of ideas," said Robert Lattanzi, BOSS program manager.
The BOSS program focuses on quality of life, recreation and leisure, and community service opportunities for single Soldiers. During this conference, team members attended nearly 50 educational seminars on marketing, budgeting and leadership.
"We've come a long way," FMWRC commander Brig. Gen. Reuben D. Jones said about the 20 years the BOSS program has been in existence. "And we've got to set the table for the next decade ... with your creativity, your innovation and your dedication to keep BOSS in front of leaders."
Included in this year's training forum was a competition for Best Installation & Static Display/Continuity Book, Best Event, and Best Photo Contest. Categories were grouped by single Soldier permanent party population: extra large, large, medium, small and extra small installations. Monetary awards were $1,000 for first place and $500 for second place.
The Best Installation Award was given to the garrison which exemplified the three core components of BOSS: Quality of Life, Recreation and Leisure, and Community Service. Each submission included a video presentation of activities during the past year demonstrating what made their installation's BOSS Program unique and how members contributed. The submission also included a Static Display Board and Continuity Book, which is the "go-to" book on how to ensure continuity during the constant changeover of BOSS presidents.
"We have a need for permanent slots for BOSS presidents at 47 installations to ensure the BOSS program runs smoothly. These new positions if authorized, hopefully soon, will be two-year commitments," Sgt. Danielle M. Colson, DA BOSS representative, said. The new two-year positions are one of the changes initiated through the Army Family Covenant.
The Best Event Award, judged solely on a three-minute video presentation, needed to clearly demonstrate what made their event unique such as creativity, benefit to participants, community involvement and costs.
The Best BOSS Photo Contest Award was given to the best photo which included the three core components of BOSS. It could not be the same photo used in the Best Installation/Event or Display Board. Monetary awards of $300 were given for first place winner and $150 for runner-up, regardless of installation size.
The awards, categorized by installation size:
BEST EVENT:
X-SMALL
First Place - U.S. Army Garrison Schweinfurt, Germany
Second Place - Camp Darby, Italy
SMALL
First Place - Ft. Rucker, Ala.
Second Place - Ft. Hamilton, N.Y.
MEDIUM
First Place - Ft. Lee, Va.
Second Place - Camp Red Cloud, Korea
LARGE
First Place - U.S. Army Garrison Grafenwoehr, Germany
Second Place - Ft. Stewart, Ga.
X-LARGE
First Place - Ft. Campbell, Ky.
Second Place - U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii
BEST INSTALLATION
X-SMALL
First Place - U.S. Army Garrison Schinnen, Germany
Second Place - U.S. Army Garrison West Point, N.Y.
SMALL
First Place - Ft. Rucker, Ala.
Second Place - Camp Stanley, Korea
MEDIUM
First Place - Camp Red Cloud, Korea
Second Place - U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan, Korea
LARGE
First Place - Ft. Stewart, Ga.
Second Place - U.S. Army Garrison Grafenwoehr, Germany
X-LARGE
First Place - Ft. Campbell, Ky.
Second Place - U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii
PHOTO CONTEST
First Place - U.S. Army Garrison Presidio of Monterey, Calif.
Second Place - Ft. Knox, Ky.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Feltus Edwards Award for MWR Excellence
Silvia Joiner - U.S. Army Garrison Schweinfurt, Germany
President of the Year Award
Staff Sgt. Edmond Perez - Ft. Sam Houston, Texas
Julius Gates Senior Military Advisor of the Year Award
Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Donald R. Felt - Ft. Hood, Texas
(C. Todd Lopez of Army News Service contributed to this article)
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