FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- Four touring comedians brought an evening of laughter and levity to the Hacienda Recreation Center Sept. 10.
It was a free show sponsored by "That Guy," a program established by the Department of Defense and TRICARE in an effort to reach 18- to 25-year-old people and prevent binge drinking.
The goal of the program is to prevent the young service member from becoming "That Guy" when they are drinking in a social setting. There is also a "That Girl" program as well.
"Comics on Duty" is a show that goes to military installations worldwide, including deployment areas. Up to four comics perform in each show and are chosen on their background, experience, professionalism and stage presence and, more importantly, their ability to make people laugh.
The funny guys in this production were Steve Bills, Steve Burr, John Bizarre and Tom Cotter. All of them are well known throughout the stand-up comedy profession and have appeared on major television shows and networks.
Most of the comics have been actively involved in entertaining troops throughout their careers.
The show was presented through the efforts of Fort Sam Houston MWR.
"That Guy" is a multi-media campaign that uses online and offline communication with the goal of reducing excessive drinking among young servicemen. The campaign encourages young enlisted personnel to reject binge drinking because it detracts from the things they care about: family, friends, dating, sex, money, and reputation.
The campaign, which can be found at http://www.thatguy.com, uses humor to deliver a serious message and provides viral tools so service members can be part of the effort to eradicate "That Guy."
The comics put on shows at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. at the Hacienda. Approximately 225 people attended the shows, mostly Soldiers from the 32nd Medical Brigade, as well as Air Force and Navy students going through training at Fort Sam Houston.
"It was great to watch the military students in the audience laughing and enjoying themselves as much as they did," said Jewel Terrell, recreation assistant manager of the Hacienda Recreation Center. "The comics were as good or better that I have seen on TV."
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