FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- Leisure time for service members in BOSS means building houses, stocking care packages for fellow troops and an occasional paintball battle.
BOSS " or Better Opportunities for Single Service Members " has a busy branch on Fort Sam Houston devoted to making time on the post both fruitful and fun.
The three tenets of BOSS are recreation and leisure, quality of life and community service. Each military unit on Fort Sam Houston has one representative in BOSS and relays information back to their troops.
“Since I returned from my last deployment, I’ve worked hard to assemble a team to improve the BOSS program here on Joint Base San Antonio and it has gotten a lot better,” said Spc. Mary Velis, the Fort Sam Houston BOSS president.
“We have very motivated unit BOSS representatives and a lot more involvement,” Velis said. “If it weren’t for our team, this program wouldn’t be as great as it is now. Hopefully, we can win the award for the best BOSS program someday.”
Recent BOSS activities include a summer block party, a microwave cooking class, hosting the Festival of the Arts competition and volunteering at Soldier’s Angels, a non-profit dedicated to shipping care packages to deployed U.S. service members.
“I heard about this, and thought it would be a great way to spend my lunch hour,” said Capt. Nichole Stahl, who quickly got to work sorting toiletries destined for deployed service members.
“BOSS is a very important program in the military because it offers service members the opportunity to voice their opinion and their needs for recreation and leisure to improve their quality of life,” said Ben Paniagua, MWR Program Adviser and Hacienda Recreation Center director.
“Velis works hard to make sure the three elements of BOSS are available to our service members on Fort Sam Houston and when troops get involved in these activities it makes for a well-rounded service members,” Paniagua added.
The summer block party at the Benner Barracks gave service members an opportunity to unwind and cool off with a dunk tank, human bowling and giant inflatable boxing.
BOSS representatives plan and organize these exciting activities and rewarding service projects. They welcome all service members, their families, DOD civilians and guests to their activities and events.
For more information on upcoming BOSS events or to volunteer, call (210) 221-4242.
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