SCHINNEN, the Netherlands -- For the second consecutive year, USAG Schinnen's Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program received top recognition, winning the highest honor in its category this year for best installation program worldwide.
The announcement came during ceremonies at the recent BOSS worldwide conference, held at the National Conference Center in Lansdowne, Va.
USAG Schinnen's BOSS members are basking in the glow as they begin a whole new season of programs for single Soldiers.
Last year, Schinnen's BOSS program was recognized with the best president's award.
"This year's award is even more exciting because it recognizes the teamwork that went into planning and executing all our events throughout the year," said BOSS President Sgt. 1st Class Mikki King.
BOSS is a Department of Defense program that focuses on quality of life improvements for single Soldiers. Schinnen's BOSS program is unique because it attracts single Soldiers and Airmen from around the Tri-Border area of Germany and the Netherlands, crossing international borders and military services, according to King.
Most BOSS programs serve only one installation and rarely include both Soldiers and Airmen. King said she thinks the cross-border, cross-services nature of Schinnen's BOSS program adds to its strength. She should know; King, herself, is assigned to JFC Headquarters Brunssum, a NATO installation located about 20 minutes from USAG Schinnen in the Netherlands.
"We're able to draw on a lot of talent because we have service members from Schinnen, JFC and Geilenkirchen NATO Air Base, just across the border in Germany," King explained.
That's what enabled the BOSS program to sponsor so many popular activities, such as the dunk booth at AmericaFest, she said. Other favorites, according to King, were trips to local sporting and sightseeing locations, such as Snowworld indoor ski resort and the picturesque town of Bruges, Belgium.
Selection for the Best Installation Award was based on three core components of BOSS: quality of life, recreation/leisure and community service. To compete, each organization submitted a video, a static display board and a continuity book that highlighted activities during the past year. The winner was chosen for best exemplifying the three core components of the BOSS program.
"BOSS has been around for 20 years," King pointed out. "But to keep it fresh, we've got to look at new and innovative ideas every year and think creatively about how we serve single Soldiers."
She and the other BOSS members are already planning events for the coming year.
"Our goal is to plan a year exciting enough to bring home another award to share with our single Soldiers and Airmen," she explained.
Exciting events and activities make a great organization, but King also stressed the benefits Soldiers and Airmen gain from participating in BOSS.
"Volunteering is one of the best benefits, especially for younger personnel. They get promotion points for volunteering, so this is a big incentive," King said.
Many BOSS events include opportunities for volunteering, such as the candy booth that BOSS plans to operate at Schinnen's upcoming Trunk or Treat Halloween party.
The best benefit of all, however, is the "opportunity to have a voice and get out in the community to do things with people who are like minded, who like to have fun but are also hard working," King concluded.
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