FORT SILL, Okla., Feb. 2, 2017 -- Spc. Bradley Delacruz said he definitely takes advantage of the Fort Sill USO Center here.
"I like the atmosphere -- it's chill, a place to lounge," said Delacruz, a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System crewmember with B Battery, 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery. "They have computers, and it's generally a quiet place to study and to read."
Delacruz, a permanent party Soldier who lives in barracks, said he has a car and could go off post, but he likes the convenience of the center's hours. Delacruz was at the USO Jan. 21, with Spc. Tiffany Visitacion, a Multiple Launch Rocket System operations/fire direction specialist, as they studied together for promotion boards.
Advanced individual training (AIT) student Pvt. Shaquille Herry, said he has used USO centers at airports, including New York, Atlanta and at the Lawton-Fort Sill Regional Airport.
He said he comes to the Fort Sill USO Center to relax by playing videogames (Mortal Kombat is his favorite), and by shooting pool.
Herry said he recommends his classmates visit the USO.
"I tell them it's a place to go to get out of your room and kick back and do things with others," said Herry, a Field Artillery Automated Tactical Data System Specialist student in A Battery, 1st Battalion, 78th FA.
The USO has been open almost two months now, and things are going very well, said Jennifer Kirby, USO Fort Sill Center director.
"We've been very happy with the facility, and our reception by the community," she said. "We've had many repeat guests both Soldiers and family members."
The center, which is smoke- and alcohol-free, averages between 200 and 300 users on the weekends, many of them AIT students, Kirby said. During the week about 50 to 60 people use the facility. It's a number she said she wants to increase through communication and marketing.
"I want to make sure the rotation of TRADOC (Training and Doctrine Command) Soldiers, especially AIT, gets re-educated about our services every time they come through," Kirby said. "So it's a constant communication about our hours, our location, our programs."
COMMUNITY CENTER
The USO is not only for service members, but anyone with a common access card (CAC), said Jennifer Troxell, USO Center operations and programs manager. This includes Reserve and Guard members, military families and their children, military retirees and Department of Army civilians.
The mission of the USO is to strengthen America's military by keeping servicemen and women connected to family and country, so many of the programs are social activities appropriate for families, too.
"Every week we offer a food event, and also a general (social) activity," Troxell said. "The idea is to bring people together, and food brings people together a lot."
Recent food events included a Saturday morning blueberry pancake breakfast, and a Friday evening grilled cheese sandwich and soup social.
Most recent program activities were a cornhole tournament, which is a beanbag toss, and trivia games.
"We try to keep it at a level where most anyone who comes in can learn it," Troxell said.
AMENITIES
Army Reserve Pfc. Jihye Choi graduated from basic combat training Sept. 30, and is waiting for a security clearance before she can attend AIT at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
She visited the USO for the second time, Jan. 21. In the living room area she studied in preparation for her upcoming combat medic school.
"They have really fast Wi-Fi, and it's really a cozy and comfortable space," said Choi, who is attached to Picatinny Aresenal, N.J.
Troxell agreed. "The free Wi-Fi is the fastest on post."
She said the center's furniture is easily movable, so people tend to place them into study groups.
The center also features nine computers with CAC capabilities and webcams and headphones. There are eight gaming stations: four Xbox Ones, and four PlayStation 4s, Troxell said.
The USO's three large-screen TVs are connected to cable channels, and Amazon Prime, Troxell said.
The screen sizes are 50-, 60-, and 70-inches. "We have remote controls that we let people use so they can change the channels," Troxel said. Typically, if there is a big game on, all three TVs will be tuned to that channel.
There are analog activities, too, such as board games, including the classics: Monopoly, Battleship, Uno, Cards Against Humanity.
A pool table, dart boards and a shuffleboard are all centrally located within the USO.
And a book nook near the entrance offers a quiet place to study with plenty of recliners and a sofa. If someone finds a book there that they want to take home they are free to do so, Troxell said.
The cafe area features small dining tables for patrons to eat at. They are welcome to bring in food or have it delivered to them at the USO, Troxell said. A limited number of free snacks and drinks are also available in the dining area.
When the weather warms up, a patio area with outdoor furniture will open for the patrons as another place to hang out, Troxell said.
BCT GRADUATIONS
The Fort Sill USO Center sees basic combat training graduations as a wonderful opportunity for outreach, Kirby said.
"Foremost, it is an opportunity for us to introduce the newest Soldiers to the support and mission of the USO -- services they will hopefully use throughout their time of service to our nation," Kirby said. "Secondly, we want to share our mission of connectivity with their families, many of whom have no military experience. The USO will be a resource to help keep their new Soldier connected to family, home and country."
Today, the USO staff began providing an information table about its services in the Fort Sill Conference Center, which is on the BCT side of post, Kirby said. It also started hosting a graduation reception hour at the USO for the Army's newest Soldiers and their families. It features a photo booth and light refreshments. The reception time is 1-3 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, as come-and-go option for Soldiers and families.
VOLUNTEERS, DONATIONS
The USO is seeking volunteers, and as a non-profit always welcomes donations, Kirby said.
"We need volunteers, especially weekday daytime and evening shifts," she said. "The first step to becoming a volunteer is to register at volunteers.uso.org."
Donations accepted include individually wrapped food snacks, gift cards, AA batteries, crossword puzzles and other puzzle books; picnic plates, silverware and associated products; as well as monetary donations. They can be dropped off at the center.
The USO Fort Sill Center is at 3265 Crane Ave. (next to Sheridan Theater). It is open Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Fridays through Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. All services are free.
Editor's note: The Fort Sill USO Center will celebrate the United Service Organization's 76th birthday Feb. 4, at 11 a.m.
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