BOSS programs join forces in friendly rivalry

By Laura LeveringApril 15, 2021

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1 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The April 9 scene at Augusta Paintball has Fort Gordon representatives, shown here, in action against their counterparts from Fort Jackson, S.C. The fun was run by Warrior Adventure Quest and the two installations’ Better Opportunities for Single Service Members programs. (Photo Credit: Bill Bengtson / Fort Gordon Public Affairs Office) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Augusta Paintball has Fort Gordon representatives, shown here, in action April 9 against their counterparts from Fort Jackson, S.C. (Photo Credit: Bill Bengtson / Fort Gordon Public Affairs Office) VIEW ORIGINAL
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3 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Jon Bell, 3rd Battalion, 108th Regiment (Signal), elevates to celebrate a victory in April 9’s paintball action, with his Fort Gordon neighbors going up against their counterparts from Fort Jackson, S.C. (Photo Credit: Bill Bengtson / Fort Gordon Public Affairs Office) VIEW ORIGINAL
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4 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Fort Gordon representatives advance to begin a paintball session versus their Fort Jackson, S.C., counterparts April 9. (Photo Credit: Bill Bengtson / Fort Gordon Public Affairs Office) VIEW ORIGINAL
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5 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – “Medic!” Calling for support after taking a hit at Augusta Paintball April 9 is Cpl. Austin Keith, Marine Corps Support Battalion, in an effort to get back into the action with help from a player in the temporary role of “medic." (Photo Credit: Bill Bengtson / Fort Gordon Public Affairs Office) VIEW ORIGINAL
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6 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – “Now what?” Spc. Christopher Bass, 116th Military Intelligence Brigade, is in action April 9 at Augusta Paintball, facing some of his counterparts from Fort Jackson, S.C. (Photo Credit: Bill Bengtson / Fort Gordon Public Affairs Office) VIEW ORIGINAL

Dozens of service members from Fort Gordon, Georgia, and Fort Jackson, South Carolina, battled against each other for bragging rights at Augusta Paintball on April 9.

Lorrie Chadd, Warrior Adventure Quest program coordinator and Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program advisor for Fort Gordon, organized the event between the two installation’s BOSS programs. It was the first of what Chadd said she hopes will become a recurring, more widespread event.

“We’ve gotten to know the Fort Jackson crew, and it’s the beginning of what we want to turn into a bi-annual, or even quarterly, activity against other installations,” Chadd said.

BOSS is for active-duty, Guard and Reserve single service members, and those who are geographically separated from their family. All branches of service, including foreign services, are welcome to participate in the program.

The mission of the BOSS program is to “enhance the morale and welfare of single Soldiers, increase retention and sustain combat readiness.” The program does this through its three core components: leisure and recreation, community service, and quality of life. The paintball event, which falls under leisure and recreation, was an opportunity for service members to network with others from a different installation, and in doing so, be able to exchange ideas and events to enhance the program, which in turn, improves quality of life for service members.

“It builds cohesion between different units on the installation, and since we’re also doing it with another installation, it’s helping even more because now we’re coordinating with other BOSS programs and other Soldiers we probably wouldn’t see otherwise,” said Sgt. Jon Bell, Fort Gordon BOSS president, 3rd Battalion, 108th Regiment (Signal).

“As I say, we’re all on the same team – just different installations – but we’re all one big team,” Chadd added.

In addition to leisure and recreation events, Chadd organizes community service projects for BOSS participants to get involved with and make a difference in the community. The most recent community service project happened the day after paintball and involved helping out a local agency with deep-cleaning busses that are vital to transporting its children. Following the project, Chadd treated them to a well-earned barbecue.

“They’re like my kids,” Chadd said, “so I treat them like my own.”

BOSS also serves as a tool to address issues and concerns that single service members face – something Bell appreciates about the program.

“All the units’ BOSS reps can bring any issues that they have to us, and we let the [garrison] command sergeant major know what’s going on, and he looks into them,” Bell said. “We always let the Soldiers know to communicate with their leadership, but they also know that they can bring issues to us, and he will figure out the best way to tackle these issues from both ends.”

As the garrison command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Brent Smith serves as the BOSS program’s senior enlisted advisor. Smith said he commends Chadd and Bell for stepping out and coordinating the program’s first-known joint event. Looking ahead, he expects to see more joint events and encourages more service members get involved.

“This will be an excellent opportunity for all parties involved to experience something new,” Smith said. “I strongly encourage all single service members to become an active member in the BOSS program.”

The BOSS Headquarters is in Building 36708 on O’Club Drive, behind the Courtyard. Meetings are held there every other Wednesday at 3 p.m.

For the latest on upcoming events and information, go to one of the meetings or visit to program’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/fortgordonboss.

Elections

Fort Gordon’s BOSS program is holding an Executive Council Election on Wednesday, 3 p.m., at the BOSS Headquarters. There will be applications available for president, vice president, and social media. Anyone who is interested in applying should attend the meeting.